Mississippi river flooding is a severe, recurring problem in St Francisville, Louisiana, forcing residents and business owners to take extreme measures to protect their homes and livelihoods. The Mississippi river meanders along the eastern border of Louisiana and can overflow its banks during intense storms, sending torrents of water to riverside communities like St Francisville. The significant flooding of the Mississippi river can and has occurred frequently, presenting citizens of St Francisville with a wide range of problems.
Heavy flooding from the Mississippi river can have impacts on communities of Louisiana such as St Francisville, causing economic losses and forcing the immediate evacuation of citizens. According to the United States Geological Survey, major flooding of the Mississippi river occurs with a frequency of about once every ten years. Any area within 1.5 miles of the banks of the river can experience rapidly spreading floods due to the river’s expansive size and strength. Furthermore, the Calcasieu River which runs through nearby Lake Charles, Louisiana can add to the amount of flooding in the area by dropping off its force and water levels into the Mississippi.
Current levee systems can provide limited protection to communities living beside the Mississippi River, however, in extreme cases, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 proved that the infrastructure is simply not strong enough to withstand the relentless force of these natural disasters. To contradict this, the US army Corps of Engineers has recently worked to improve the levee structures to increase protection, as seen in other Mississippi River communities such as Memphis, Tennessee, St. Louis and New Orleans.
As per the National Weather Service’s hydrological forecasts, the potential for flooding of St Francisville is always present, though this threat is especially increased when there is continuous precipitation and snow melt in the Mississippi’s main tributaries in the winter and spring seasons, such as the Ohio and Missouri rivers. With the unpredictable nature of weather combined with its sheer power, the only way to protect St. Francisville from flooding is to plan for it.
Impacts of Flooding
The most obvious effect of the flooding of the Mississippi river is the destruction of physical structures and property in and around the city. As the high waters disperse throughout St. Francisville, homes and businesses are damaged, leaving locals with little choice but to abandon the area in order to preserve their safety. Properties are also destroyed when soil is washed away from the riverbanks, leaving homes susceptible to collapse from the shifting soil beneath them. According to a study conducted in 2018 by California State University, businesses in St. Francisville have reported significant losses from flooding, with some small business reporting losses of up to 60 percent of their revenue. The destruction of businesses can lead to long-term economic problems for the city, as businesses that have been hit by flooding may take years to fully recover.
Flooding from the Mississippi river can also cause severe human hardship. According to the same study, many citizens of St Francisville have reported physical discomfort, psychiatric distress, and financial loss associated with the flooding. In addition, local health care systems may not be able to efficiently manage a large influx of patients, potentially leaving them with inadequate medical care. A lack of medical care can lead to severe medical problems and even death in the worst cases. Additionally, immediate sewage contamination often accompanies Mississippi river flooding, causing residents to be vulnerable to the transmission of diseases, particularly in the low-income areas that are often built in close proximity to the river.
Efforts to Contain The Flooding
The US Army Corps of Engineers has historically designed, built and maintained the levee systems on and around the Mississippi river, with the goal of protecting St Francisville and other river-bordering communities from treacherous flooding. However, in the face of increased rainfall and prolonged or sudden snow melt in other nearby rivers and tributaries, the levees can be easily overwhelmed, with the US Army Corps of Engineers’ efforts often proving too little, too late.
One of the most notable preventative flood-management efforts seen in St Francisville is the levee system that was developed in 2020 by the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA). This levee system is made up of a series of barriers and other structures, which are designed to reduce the velocity and volume of floodwaters sent towards the city when the Mississippi river overflows its banks. Additionally, the CPRA has partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to construct several on-site structures that can provide temporary protection to homes and businesses when the flooding is at its worst. An area of public land has also been recently acquired in St Francisville to contain any floodwater that may escape the levee system, thus further protecting the city from any potentially devastating floods.
Effects of Climate Change on Mississippi River Flooding
The effects of climate change on the flooding of the Mississippi river are a growing concern for communities like St Francisville. Warmer temperatures, increased precipitation and the resulting snow and ice melt can lead to extreme flooding. Studies conducted by the American Meteorological Society have linked the increase in average temperatures around the Mississippi River basin to an increase in the severity and frequency of extreme flooding. In addition, Coastal Louisiana is subsiding due to erosion, which further increases the risk of flooding in St Francisville, as the land surrounding the river is displaced by water.
Climate change can also affect the flow rates of the Mississippi river itself. A study conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that, due to climate change, the flow of the river is increasing at a rate of roughly two percent per decade, to a total annual average of almost 30 percent more water than in the past. This additional water volume means that flooding in St Francisville is becoming more frequent and more intense.
Protective Measures for The Future
In light of these dangers, St Francisville officials must take proactive steps to prepare for future Mississippi river flooding. The city has adopted several policies that aim to protect citizens from both the physical and economic damages associated with flooding. For example, in 2020 the city introduced a levee set-back plan, under which all construction would need to occur at least 200 feet away from the levee system, thus reducing the risk of damage to physical property. In addition, the city has adopted comprehensive Floodproofing and Risk Management plans, which are designed to ensure that citizens are provided with the necessary resources and assistance to safely evacuate and protect their homes and businesses in the event of a flood.
In addition, the city is utilizing public-private partnerships to improve flood contingency plans and develop early warning systems to alert citizens more quickly when a flood is predicted. These early warning systems are designed to provide citizens with the time necessary to evacuate and protect their property from the impending flood. The St Francisville city government is also working to raise public awareness about the risks of flooding with initiatives such as educational seminars and workshops, encouraging citizens to be better prepared for floods.
Cost of Mitigation Efforts
The city must also take steps to mitigate the economic costs of flooding. FEMA regulations state that those wishing to build or rebuild a home or business within the floodplain of St Francisville must adhere to certain height restrictions, in order to qualify for federal flood insurance. Furthermore, FEMA also doubles the insurance rate required for any project being constructed within the same 100-year floodplain that includes the city. Therefore, in order to ensure greater protection, city officials must take stricter precautions with building in the 100-year floodplain.
The city of St Francisville is also utilizing various grants and other funding sources to finance mitigation projects. The city was recently awarded a $1.2 million grant from the State of Louisiana, which is geared towards increasing access to closer, more affordable flood insurance. Additionally, the city has received funding from the federal emergency management agency for a series of floodplain-erosion control projects, which are designed to reduce the amount of floodwaters entering the area.
Community Involvement in Flood Protection Efforts
More importantly, citizens of the city must be informed and mobilized to help in the effort to protect the city from flooding. Therefore, the city is encouraging citizens to become involved in the process by participating in County and City meetings, volunteering their time and employing their expertise in order to improve the flood protection process. Citizen-formed task forces are also being set up to provide information and education on flooding, flood insurance and flood risk management.
At the same time, the city is working to implement a public awareness campaign, which will educate citizens on the risks of flooding and how they can help protect their community and property. The city has also established a volunteer-driven registry program that encourages citizens to join and support the efforts of the city and its flood protection initiatives.
Private Sector Solutions for Flood Management
Along with the efforts of the City of St Francisville, the private sector is also taking steps to help protect the city from flooding. Private companies are investing in new technology that can provide help with flood protection, such as utilizing drones for monitoring levees and using GIS mapping to create sandbags for use in floods. There are also private groups that are developing flood forecasts for the Mississippi River on a satellite basis, providing cities with more accurate flood warnings. Finally, private foundations are funding projects to build a series of offshore breakwaters that can absorb the wave energy of a storm surge, preventing flooding of the area.
Conclusion
Mississippi river flooding is a serious issue in St Francisville and can cause major economic and human hardship if not adequately protected against. Thanks to proactive measures taken by the city, as well as initiatives conducted by the private sector, citizens of the city are better prepared to face future floods. Furthermore, with continued investments in monitoring technology and proactive policy decisions, St Francisville may one day achieve a level of safety from flooding seen in other Mississippi River communities.
