re: The Great Flood of 2016: Fill Out Disaster Forms NOW. Link Inside!

what is the condition of the people ya'll are picking up?

What if you're in the white area, is that much better?

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Came up very quick within last hour in Azela Lakes. Stunned everyone

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Not trying to be punny, but this is a very fluid situation. There's not many places in BR that are completely out of harm's way with no chance to flood

Any word if water is moving past Sherwood?

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From reports it seems like the soccer fields are serving as a meaningful gathering area. Finally, a worthwhile use for the sport in America


Spanish Lake swamp (circled in blue) is taking the water. The soccer field (circled in red) at the same elevation, is also aiding but less.

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Everybody should thank the hell out of Spanish Lake Swamp. I am not certain it will save people on Highland and Burbank up to LSU along the Bayou Fountain, but so far it has acted as the perfect buffer. The fact that the soccer fields are flooded shows that the level is raising in that area first, before it raises at Bluebonnet at Highland/Burbank.

Look at this map:



The red X is the place we currently know the water is raising. That water will continue to raise for the foreseeable future and is the main threat along Bayou Fountain. However, until Spanish Lake Swamp fills, it may not make it all the way out there. I will say this - Spanish Lake Swamp stands a high chance of spilling as Bayou Manchac gets bigger... and Spanish Lake Swamp does not drain anywhere else, so the floodwaters are not diverting, they are just collecting. If Spanish Lake Swamp fills to the level that it is expected to wash back, it could be a double edged sword and act to reinforce the flood levels backwater up Bayou Fountain.

The box with the red X in it is currently filling, making me think that the waters are already pretty high in Spanish Lake Swamp, enough to allow the flood waters to move further up the Bayou Fountain system.

So now we have two gauges to look at... the first is Bayou Manchac, that is where this image is coming to bear and the source for all of these floodwaters:



It's hard to see but in that cam, Bayou Manchac has been rising over the interstate - it appears to still be rising. We can look at the flood gauge to be sure:



The higher that rises, the more water gets pumped into the swamp and thus the higher chance the water moves back through the canals and creeks. It is not showing any sign of stopping yet.

Furthermore, I can say now that it is likely Manchac Point is cresting. When the swamp stops filling, the backwater flooding will happen VERY fast, so be aware if you are in the basin. The amount of water the canals can hold is magnitudes smaller than the amount of water the swamp can hold.

Here is Manchac Point:



We are about 3 hours from crest. Do note that at crest, it stays above 21 feet for an additional 6 - 12 hours. That will stop the Bayou Manchac from emptying and hold up the entire process, leading to backwater flooding.

The good news - we are about 12 hours until everything recedes. This is the most important time to watch the rivers, tonight.

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Spanish Lake swamp (circled in blue) is taking the water.

This could potentially spare everyone west of Highland/Siegen if it is able to take on enough overflow.

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That is certainly the hope! If it can hold all of the water until after the crest passes, it will drain without hitting backwater.

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WBRZ just showed that Lakeside Daquiri on Burbank had standing water in the parking lot and the fire dept. was going to the apartments behind the bar with airboats to get people.
Just drove by there. Looks bad.

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This would be consistent with Spanish Lake Swamp flooding.

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The Great Flood of 2016: Backflow Flooding Occuring (8/14/16)
Tons of cops at Highland and airline. Anybody know what's going on and where they are directing people?

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Bayou Manchac is raising and flooding over it.

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What if you're in the white area, is that much better?

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It's not a guarantee or anything, but it is better. You can enter an address and check the elevation. You can also just click on a location and check the elevation. Check next to the nearest blue or a couple of spots around you and check your place. Best advice I can give.