[UPDATE] Bossier Parish officials have gathered to discuss updates on local river and lake levels.

According to the National Weather Service, the level on the Red was at 31.20 feet this morning, with flood stage at 30 feet. It's expected to crest at 32 feet in Shreveport Thursday. The Red River at Coushatta is currently at 30.97 feet and is expected to crest at 37 feet Friday.

Officials are informing residents in areas along the Red River, including Highway 537 in Plain Dealing, River Bluff, Cash Point, Red River South Marina and other areas near the river about potential flooding in those low-lying areas.

Lake Bistineau is expected to crest at 144 feet Friday, with the current level at around 142.5 feet.

"We are also encouraging residents in south Bossier, south of Highway 154, to stay alert and expect backwater flooding in low-lying areas," said Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington. "This is due to the large amount of rainfall that has fallen in our area recently and the rise of the Red River because of all the rainfall north of us."

Residents can pick up sandbags at the following locations:

Bossier Parish Police Jury Highway Department Maintenance Barn
410 Mayfield St. in Benton
7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Bossier City Public Service Complex
3223 Old Shed Rd.
7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Elm Grove Elementary School
Highway 71 in South Bossier
Self-serve 24 hours

Tooke Memorial Library
451 Fairview Point Road in Elm Grove
Self-serve 24 hours

[ORIGINAL STORY]  If you've been anywhere near the Red River lately, you'll notice it's getting pretty high again.

I was at Sci-Port over the weekend and walked across the street to do the bird watch. I was amazed when I got close to where Riverview Park used to be. It's mostly underwater now. Fencing has been put up there to keep people out.

The National Weather Service is predicting the river will crest somewhere between 32 and 34 feet in Caddo-Bossier by tomorrow.

The Bossier Parish Police Jury reports extremely heavy rain in the Red River basin in northeast Texas, southeast Oklahoma and southwest Arkansas over the weekend are also expected to cause rising water levels in the river downstream. Our local heavy rain today hasn't helped the situation, either.

Officials say the rising water could have an impact on neighborhoods inside river levees in Bossier Parish.

"The crest could affect two houses and streets in River Bluff, the camp area at Red River Marina and Cash Point," said BOHSEP Director Ian Snellgrove. "We want people to take precautions and be prepared."

 

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Photo: Anne Lutz
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Photo: National Weather Service
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