The Washington Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness officials said they don’t expect significant flooding in Bogalusa or the surrounding area from the Pearl River.

The Pearl was at 17.3 feet on Wednesday at Bogalusa. The flood stage is 18 feet. The Pearl River at Columbia, Miss., was at 11.5 feet, which falls in the normal range for that location.

“The National Weather Service has the Pearl River cresting Thursday and then beginning to fall,” Washington Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Specialist Bobbi Jo Breland said. “They’re not taking into account the expected rain in the area.”

Breland said the National Weather Service called for a 50 to 60 percent chance of showers on Thursday. Breland said chances of showers increased to 60 to 80 percent for Friday.

“That forecast may change after we get that weather,” said Breland. “We’re in no danger of flooding right now. There is not a forecast of flooding in the area.”

Washington Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Tommy Thiebaud said the Pearl is simply doing what it always does this time of year.

“The Pearl River goes into flood stage about this time every year,” Thiebaud said. “The Pearl stays in flood stage a good bit of the year. Every time we get a good bit of rain, the Pearl goes up to flood stage. It causes inconvenience moreso than a danger.”