Shipping Stopped by Flooding

The flooding along the Mississippi River is creating huge problems for shipping interests. The US Coast Guard fears that barge traffic would put too much strain on already stressed levees. This in turn will put further stress on the local and national economy. The Port of South Louisiana is the site of 54 percent of U.S. grain exports, and this river shut-down could cost the economy hundreds of millions of dollars per day.


The Mississippi River at Natchez, MS, is running 14 feet above flood stage, and it could be a week or more before the waters recede appreciably. The river is closed south of this port.