Forecast: River to fall slowly

The Atchafalaya River stage is at 7.9 feet in Morgan City as of 6 p.m. today, and forecasters expect the river to stay at that level for the next five days.

The river stage is projected to fall slowly after Jan. 28, National Weather Service Senior Hydrologist Amanda Roberts said.

In an earlier news report, National Weather Service Meteorologist Roger Erickson predicted after the Atchafalaya crests today it will stay above 6 feet, which is flood stage in Morgan City, for approximately another month.

Morgan City officials closed 9 of the city’s 27 floodgates, which includes a recent closure on Belanger Street, Morgan City Mayor Frank “Boo” Grizzaffi said. Two gates, not included in the count, were already permanently closed.

Berwick officials closed nine of the town’s 10 floodgates. The Texas Street gate is still open.