Apr 1, 1997
Flooding along the Mississippi River, which crested in March, slowly receded with nearly all forecast points in southeast Louisiana below floodstage by April 22, 1997. The Corps of Engineers began closing the gates on the Bonnet Carre Spillway by the middle of the month as water levels dropped. Throughout the episode of high water, the river remained confined within the river flood protection levees. The most significant structural damage occurred at the Louisiana State Penitentiary near Angola
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5602264). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in West Baton Rouge County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.