Guard working around clock to protect Morgan City
By: Spc. Garrett L. Dipuma, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
AMELIA, La. – The Louisiana National Guard continues to work around the clock with the Saint Mary Levee District, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Port of Morgan City, and several local private businesses to construct a levee of HESCO barriers on Avoca Island to protect Morgan City and the surrounding area from high river water.
Despite the less-than-perfect conditions, construction of HESCO barriers on Avoca Island is steadily marching forward. Guardsmen have not been deterred by mud, rain, or darkness and continue to ferry equipment across the Atchafalaya River from Amelia to Avoca Island to continue construction of the levees.
“The terrain that we’re having to work in right now is kind of mushy because the water and the tides have come up, and that is a challenge for us,” said Maj. Jim Williams, task force commander of the south region. “But we are overcoming that challenge to get this project put in on time. The work we are doing will tie in to the local terrain to better protect residents.”
“We couldn’t get as much accomplished as quickly as we have without the National Guard,” said Frank Grizzaffi, the mayor of Morgan City. “You watch these guys work around the clock – wherever they’re needed, they show up.”
Due to weight restrictions of the ferry in Amelia, the LANG’s 2225th Multi-Role Bridge Company arrived Jan. 8 to build a raft using the Improved Ribbon Bridge system, which has the float capacity to safely carry the heaviest military equipment across water.
“Our emergency operations are extremely important to the community,” said Sgt. Bryan Campo, from Norco. “We all joined the Guard to be available to help the community in situations like these. I’m happy to be a part of this team and show that we are always ready and always there.”
During night operations, the military barge was escorted by local tugboat the Vicky Lynn. The brighter lights on the tugboat made night operation safer.
Will Toups, a crewman on the Vicky Lynn and resident of Amelia, said that he is glad to see the Guard out on the island. “The teamwork and dedication the Soldiers are showing building this levee is amazing,” Toups said. “I’m really happy that there was a way we could help out.”
“The main mission is to get the levees built up, because right now with the water that we are expecting, if that levee is not built up, Morgan City and four or five other parishes can experience flooding all the way up to Iberville and all the way to Baton Rouge on the backwater side,” said Mac Wade, executive director of the Port of Morgan City.
“I’ve been doing this for 17 years, and I would rate this as some of the best work that we’ve done with our civilian partners,” said Williams. “It’s a big effort to get the supplies onto the island, but we’ve got about 120 Soldiers dedicated to accomplishing this HESCO mission.”
