The threat of saltwater intrusion up the Mississippi River into Greater New Orleans Area has taught local leaders, including those in Jefferson Parish, some lessons. Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng spoke with WWL’s Tommy Tucker on having a practice run with the saltwater wedge evasion plan. She says it was a fruitful exercise.
“When we were out of the danger zone we realized we were mobilized and we were going to see if this
works," Lee Sheng said. "Because, if this happens again we (want to know) of any hiccups in the system.”
The dry run wasn’t without those hiccups. Lee Sheng says that the team was able to identify issues with
crisscrossing levees. Ultimately, she says, that will lead to changes in the plan. She also spoke of how changes in weather have been bringing the region weather events like it hasn’t seen before and how this is changing the landscape of weather preparedness in the area.
“We’ve got to understand what mother nature is doing to us and we have got to start thinking about the
new normal for us," Lee Sheng said.
The saltwater intrusion seems to be averted for now. The Army Corps of Engineers will continue to
monitor the situation.
