Heavy weekend rains in the region have brought local river stages up again, prompting the National Weather Service to issue flood warnings for parts of St. Tammany Parish.

The Pearl River, still in flood stage since earlier this month, has fallen to around 15.5 feet. According to the National Weather Service, however, it is expected to rise another foot by Saturday evening.

“Low lying areas in the River Gardens subdivision could see a major impact, along with about 20 homes on the west side of the river,” said NWS meteorologist Phil Grigsby. “Also, the secondary roads in Honey Island Swamp become inaccessible at 15 feet, which doesn’t really affect residents, but anyone wanting to enter the area for hunting or fishing.” The Bogue Chitto River near Bush is expected to crest at 12 feet by Friday morning.

If it stays there, Grigsby said, there should not be any major impact there, but any further rise could threaten homes near the Louisiana Highway 21 bridge, as well as access roads further upstream.

Parish officials are not expected to open sandbag locations, but will monitor the situation closely.

“This is not an uncommon level for the Pearl, but since we are still learning the river’s new drainage patterns we will definitely keep an eye on it,” said parish spokeswoman Suzanne Parsons-Stymiest. “If it looks like it is going to go any higher we will make plans accordingly.”

Grigsby advised residents in low-lying areas to exercise caution, and to make preparations in the event of inaccessible roads.

“It doesn’t look like water will get into homes, there just might be problems getting in and out,” he said. “Get what you need to ride it out for a couple of days, just in case.”