UI donating flood protection barriers to Louisiana communities

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is calling for flood protection help, and the University of Iowa is answering.

University officials announced Friday that they're sending more than 10,000 feet of HESCO flood barriers to a community in Louisiana, where the threat of major flooding has evacuated some areas.

The governor's office contacted HESCO to request barriers, but the company didn't have enough supply on hand to fill the order. The manufacturer then contacted the UI to see if university officials would be willing to volunteer some of its flood barriers. HESCO will replace the donated barriers and reimburse the university, according to Dan Heater at UI Facilities Management.

The UI has an additional 3,000 feet of HESCO barriers in storage. Officials say the risk of flooding this spring is low. The Coralville Lake reservoir - which engineers use to control the Iowa River level - is currently at just under 690 feet, well below 712 feet - the level at which water breaches the spillway.