BATON ROUGE, LA — May 25, 2018 — Sub-Tropical Storm Alberto has formed in the southern Gulf of Mexico. The National Weather Service (NWS) New Orleans advises that the highest threat associated with Alberto will be heavy rainfall. East Baton Rouge Parish can expect impacts to begin in the late evening hours on Sunday. Rainfall totals of approximately 2-4 inches are forecast for the Baton Rouge area beginning Sunday through Tuesday; however, higher localized amounts are possible. Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and The Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (MOHSEP) are closely monitoring the latest weather forecasts, communicating with key stakeholders, and assessing overall Parish conditions.

Memorial Day Weekend forecasts will bring thunderstorm activity to the Baton Rouge area. East Baton Rouge Parish will be under a Flash Flood Watch beginning at 1:00 pm today through Saturday evening at 7:00 pm; however, this Watch is not associated with potential effects from Sub-Tropical Storm Alberto.

As Sub-Tropical Storm Alberto moves towards the coast, Mayor Broome advises East Baton Rouge Parish citizens to maintain situational awareness throughout the holiday weekend. Mayor Broome added, “Take this time to review the emergency plan that includes you, your family, and pets. Restock your disaster supply kit with necessary items that include but are not limited to non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, extra medicine, and important documents.”

Red Stick Ready Preparedness Tips:

• Stay informed on the latest forecast by:
• Monitoring your local weather radio and TV stations.
• Follow Red Stick Ready on Facebook and Twitter.
• Download the free Red Stick Ready app on your smartphone.
• Secure any loose items in your yard.
•  Fuel your vehicles, generators, and gas cans.
•  Review your emergency contact information.
•  Charge your cell phones and other electronic devices.
• Use the BuddySystem™ to check on your neighbor.
•  Use caution while commuting over the holiday weekend and do not drive through flood waters.
•  Stay away from downed trees and/or powerlines.
•  Report utility outages to your provider.

As a precautionary measure, City-Parish officials, in coordination with BREC Parks and Recreation, have pre-positioned sand and sandbags at seven strategic locations throughout the Parish.

Sand and bags are available at the following BREC sites:

• BREC Airline Highway Fairgrounds – 16072 Airline Highway
• BREC Alsen Park – 601 Old Rafe Meyer Road
• BREC Doyles Bayou Park – 7801 Port Hudson-Pride Road
• BREC Flannery Road Park – 801 South Flannery Road
• BREC Hartley-Vey at Gardere Park – 1702 Gardere Lane
• BREC Memorial Stadium – 1702 Foss Street
• BREC Lovett Road Park – 13443 Lovett Road

Residents are advised to bring their own shovels to fill the sandbags. Real-time sandbag locations can be found at http://gis.brla.gov/emergency. As new information becomes available the map will populate current data.

For more information, contact MOHSEP at 225-389-2100, follow us @RedStickReady on Facebook and Twitter, and download the Red Stick Ready mobile application - free on Apple and Android devices by searching "Red Stick Ready.”