Ninety - eight miles of Mississippi River closed from New Orleans southward . Flood could last days , but cleanup could take weeks , Coast Guard says . The heavy , sticky oil left a `` real strong '' smell hanging over much of downtown New Orleans , said Carl Bauder , who runs a barber shop near the foot of Canal Street . More than 400,000 gallons of crude oil spilled after barge , barge collide . River is major route for cargo between Midwest , Gulf of Mexico .
Ninety - eight miles of Mississippi River closed from New Orleans southward . Flood could last days , but cleanup could take weeks , Coast Guard says . More than 400,000 gallons of crude oil spilled after barge , barge collide . River is major route for cargo between Midwest , Gulf of Mexico .