Heavy rains in the midsection of the United States combined with heavy seasonal snow melts created an acute flooding situation in south Louisiana for areas along the Mississippi River and Atchafalaya Basin. On April 28, 2011, Governor Bobby Jindal issued flood warnings and declared a state of emergency for Louisiana. Authorities along the Mississippi River warned residents and businesses to brace for the possibility of overtopped levees and subsequent flooding. Governor Jindal and the state's Unified Command Group identified key low-lying areas that were at immediate risk of flooding.

The Mississippi River Commission ordered the United States Army Corps of Engineers to open the Morganza Floodway on Saturday, May 14 to relieve pressure on the Mississippi River and tributaries system, flooding the Atchafalaya basin and forcing the evacuation of residents.