Officials investigate back levee breach in Plaquemines Parish

PLAQUEMINES PARISH, LA (WVUE) - Plaquemines Parish officials on Friday were investigating a levee breach across from the Phillips 66 Refinery in Alliance on the bayou side, according to the Plaquemines Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

The breach is not in the Mississippi River levee but in a back levee near a marshy area.

Public Works crews were notified just after 6 p.m. and determined the breach was near an old pipeline. They were working to stop the flow of water.

Officials say that as of 4 a.m. Saturday, the breach does not pose a flood threat to homes or businesses on Hwy 23 near the refinery.

Members of the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Department, The Louisiana National Guard and the Emergency Management staff are continuing to monitor the situation.

The cause of the breach is not known.

Crews are transporting 2000 pound sandbags to the site to help close the breach.

The video below is from Plaquemines Parish Councilman Charlie Burt.