It's not just Louisiana: Millions of acres of land in multiple states, and tens of thousands of people, displaced by flooding (Video)

The Great State of Louisiana is living a veritable nightmare. Along with those 25,000 Louisiana residents – favorably referred to as “Cajuns” - being forced out of their homes and lives, the state also reports millions of acres of land being temporarily unusable. Farms, homes, and entire communities will be inundated with up to 15 feet of water until Mid-or-late June, 2011.

The following video covers the interview with Sheriff Martin Pace of Warren County, Mississippi shows it's not Louisiana alone, suffering. Sheriff Pace's opening answer of “It's as bad as it gets,” probably surmises the scene for Southern states, better than any reporter could. CNN did a great job by opening with that reply.



Fortunately, thus far anyway, there have been no reports of loss of lives, as in death. But to lose a home, a business, or an entire community, is still a traumatic experience to endure. In the small Mississippi community of Vicksburg in Warren County, Mississippi, the numbers of those fleeing the area is estimated at just over 1700 people impacted by displacement. That's just one county in Mississippi.

Overall, Southern states affected by the flooding will also endure hundreds of millions of dollars in agriculture losses, during the weeks during which the spillway flood-gates of Morganza, Bonnet Carre, and New Madrid stay open. Bonnet Carre is already reporting handling more water than anticipated. With 330 of the 350 bays open, the water capacity is expected to be 250,000 cubic feet of water per second. They're calculating the reality to be 316,000 cubic feet per second. (Fun fact: Each cubic foot contains 7.48 gallons of water. Crunch those numbers, dear readers.)

Sadly, in spite of all that is being endured, Baton Rouge might still flood. Water levels in that city are already at 45 of the 47.5 feet, which would surpass the record set in 1927 flood of 47.3 feet.

Still, there are some reports of good news for Louisiana. Unlike 1973, the last time any spillways needed to be opened, the ground is drier this year. That equates to a slower flow of the released water. While a total of 396 million acres are expected to be flooded, at least those affected, are experiencing a slight delay. In spite of the water's delay, there are still many affected, even now. Please take the time to contribute to your local Red Cross, or Salvation Army. Louisiana, and other Southern states, are in dire need of every American's help.

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Morganza Spillway opening in Louisiana to save Baton Rouge, New Orleans

After opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway last May 9th, 2011, officials have also decided to open the Morganza Spillway today, in an effort to spare Baton Rouge and New Orleans inevitable flood damage which would otherwise occur. While the clear majority of Louisiana residents would agree the two cities are worth saving, the costs to those affected are tremendous.

According to WWLTV.com, the event planned at 3:00 p.m. today marks the second time the Morganza Spillway needed to be opened, the last time being 1973. Out of the 125 bays, only one will be opened today. Authorities anticipate opening one or two more on Sunday, May 15th.

In a report from CNN, it's the community of Butte La Rose, Louisiana soon to be under-water, to an expected depth of 15 feet, within 48 hours. Those waters aren't expected to clear out until mid-June. Approximately 800 households are going to be affected. But with flood-waters around Baton Rouge already reported at nine feet, Louisiana officials and the Army Corps of Engineers have no other reasonable choice.

Image Source: Army Corps of Engineers

Copyright: Public Domain

Engineers in charge have pre-determined the Morganza Spillway will be opened when the volume reaches 150,000 cubic feet of water. At full capacity, Morganza can transfer 600,000 cubic feet of water per second. The initial opening today will release 125,000.

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