Floodway System News Today

No, i think we all live with this potential and this is what this whole floodway system is for. i wouldnt want to live any place else, but thats part of what comes with it. certainly, this is a floodway and built as a floodway. no, there was no, that decision was made way back in 1928 and the 30s all of those after the 27 flood. this was the design. from that perspective, thats what it is here for. its here to provide that relieve valve for the river. >> this is where the water level reached in ...

flood walls. those walls could fail. the citys mayor talked about his concerns with our ed lavandera. >> are you worried about it flooding? this is the heart of the city right here. >> it is the heart of the city, primarily protected by that wall right there. it would take a failure of that wall before this would be at risk. what were really concerned about is that high river stage raising the water level back where the lake is, and if that got topped, because that level of protection ...

theyre going to have to sacrifice some homes and businesses in order to save many, many more. the army corps expected to open louisianas huge morganza spillway when the river flow hits 1.5 million cubic feet per second. what does that mean? all you need to know is that rate continues to go up and getting closer and closer to that point. the spillway was last opened in 1973, but we are expecting it today and maybe in the next few hours. now, doing that, what does that do? it takes the p...

u.s. army corps of engineers is expected to open the floodgates on the morganza spillway. the plan is to slowly divert floodwaters away from baton rouge and new orleans. the spillway has not been opened in nearly 40 years. the move will flood other areas in south central louisiana. and this map right here youre about to see it, it says it all. areas in yellow could get up to 20 feet of water and green up to 15 feet. well have live coverage of a briefing by the u.s. army corps of engine...

So the water is just now getting here. >> it will be water all the way. it will touch this wall and extend all the way to that wall over there. those buildings right there that you see across the way, those will be under water. >> its just a staggering amount of water. >> it is. when you looked at it from this perspective. like i said, our people, nosh has anyone else seen anything like this, not here. >> youre confident about these walls holding up? >> i have to be, yes. i have to be. >> if for...

Like this, not here, not in this spot. >> reporter: youre confident about these walls holding up? >> i have to be, yes. have to be. >> reporter: if for whatever reason they fail -- >> total catastrophe. this entire city would flood, without a doubt. >> reporter: are you angry that theyre opening up the morganza spillway? >> not really. i think we all lived with the idea that, hey, we know this is the potential, this is what this whole floodway system is for. wouldnt want to live anyplace else. b...