An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Jan. 14, 2016

Louisiana Guard members continue building, monitoring flood barriers

By Spc. Joshua Barnett Louisiana National Guard

NEW ORLEANS - Approximately 300 Louisiana National Guard members continue working across the state to build protective barriers against the approaching flood waters and to patrol levees in support of local, parish and state officials at the request of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

The 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team has installed more than 2.3 miles of HESCO barriers and is filling them with sand to create a levee on Avoca Island to prevent backwater flooding from reaching Morgan City and other towns in south Louisiana.

"We had a hard night; it was very cold, it was muddy, but our Soldiers were motivated," said Lt. Col. Rich Hanes, executive officer, 256th IBCT. "They stayed up all night with no complaints. I'm very proud of them. They're hard working, great Soldiers and great Americans."

The levee project is part of a larger effort designed to prevent high water from the Atchafalaya River from traveling through Bayou Chene, over Avoca Island and into the Intracoastal Waterway, where it could flood Morgan City and other towns. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working to seal off the waterway, which, without this levee, would divert the water over the island.

More than 100 Soldiers have been conducting 24-hour operations to build the barrier in time.

In Krotz Springs, Soldiers also completed construction of 2,600 linear feet of protective levees in St. Landry Parish.

The 225th Engineer Brigade is conducting 24-hour patrols in the parishes of Concordia, East Carroll, Madison and Tensas in the 5th Levee District to inspect for leaks or seepage along the levee.

Two sand-bagging chutes have been provided to state officials in Tensas Parish. The LANG has also issued 78,000 sandbags to Angola, Avoyelles Parish, St. Martin Parish and West Feliciana Parish.

"As a Citizen-Soldier, this is what we'e here for. We do deploy, but the real reason we're here is to help our homeland," said Staff Sgt. Craig Smith, a weapons squad leader with B Company, 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th IBCT.

 

 

Related Articles
Indiana National Guard leadership poses with front from right, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brett Milton, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Craig Adams, Sgt. 1st Class Adam Kabella and Sgt. Dalton McCollum, are recognized for their heroism during a ceremony at Stout Field in Indianapolis, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. The soldiers received their awards for helping to save lives during Kentucky floods in February.
Four Indiana National Guard Soldiers Awarded Indiana Distinguished Service Cross
By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry, | Sept. 12, 2025
INDIANAPOLIS — Four Hoosier National Guard Soldiers received the Indiana Distinguished Service Cross awards during a Sept. 12 ceremony at Indiana National Guard headquarters at Stout Field.Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brett...

U.S. Airmen with the 193rd Special Operations Wing conducted routine Launch the Fleet training from Harrisburg International Airport in Middletown, Pennsylvania, September 11, 2025, timed to commemorate Patriot Day. This formation flight of six MC-130J Commando II aircraft followed a route visible to many in Central Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Air Guard Commemorates Patriot Day With Formation Training Flight
By Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig, | Sept. 12, 2025
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 193rd Special Operations Wing conducted routine Launch the Fleet training Sept. 11, timed to commemorate Patriot Day.This formation flight of six MC-130J Commando II...

U.S. Army Capt. Mitchell Hagen teaches Ecuadorian servicemembers of the 9th Special Forces Brigade how to approximate the height of trees as part of a class on landing zone designation in Latacunga, Ecuador, Aug. 21, 2025. This final day of the State Partnership Program's air assault exchange consisted of practical, hands-on training in the field. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sergeant Caleb Sooter)
Kentucky Guard, Ecuador Conduct Air Assault Training Exchange
By Sgt. Caleb Sooter, | Sept. 12, 2025
LATACUNGA, Ecuador - Members of the Kentucky National Guard took part in a four-day air assault training exchange with the Ecuadorian 9th Special Forces Brigade as part of the Department of War National Guard Bureau’s State...