Flow of floodwaters reduced at key La. spillway

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reducing the flow at a key Louisiana spillway that's taking pressure off big cities by diverting Mississippi River floodwaters into Cajun country.

The corps says lower levels on the Mississippi led to the closure of one Morganza spillway bay on Tuesday and two more on Wednesday. That leaves 14 of the spillway's 125 bays open.

The Morganza was opened May 14 for the first time since 1973 to ease pressure on levees at Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Also Wednesday in Mississippi, Tunica County authorities say some flood victims from the community of Cutoff could go home for the first time next week accompanied by federal inspectors. For hard-hit communities like Vicksburg, it could take weeks for evacuees to be allowed home.