Levees to be raised in two northeast Louisiana parishes

Existing levees will be raised in two northeast Louisiana parishes starting in the next few weeks.

The levees held during the Mississippi River flood of 2011, but have settled gradually since being built in 1973.

Reynold Minsky is president of the 5th Louisiana Levee District board. He tells The News-Star of Monroe the changes will bring all of East Carroll Parish and most of Concordia Parish to 500-year flood protection levels.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the levees will be raised about 1.5 feet at their three lowest spots. Each section is about 1,000 feet long.

One spot is three miles south of Transylvania, and another seven miles south of the town. The third is about 15 miles south of Vidalia.

Work should be finished by November.