BATON ROUGE, LA — July 13, 2019 — East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and Emergency Preparedness stakeholders have released strategic preparations as Tropical Storm Barry nears.
The National Weather Service has reported that East Baton Rouge Parish is beginning to experience the effects of Tropical Storm Barry now. The heaviest winds are possible through 9:00 PM tonight. The worst and most constant rainfall will be during the overnight hours tonight. EBRP can potentially see sustained winds of up to 30-50 mph and high wind gusts of up to 65 mph. The wind threat for EBRP will possibly end after sunrise tomorrow.
Additionally, the parish may experience flash flooding and some river flooding.
Entergy is currently reporting that 15,000
CURFEWS & EVACUATIONS
Currently, there is no curfew or calls for evacuations in EBR Parish. If movement in any affected area becomes a hazard and the life and safety of our citizens are threatened we will make that call at the appropriate time.
SHELTERS
At this time, Southern University’s F.G Clark Activity Center, located at 801 Harding Blvd, is open as a shelter. F.G. Clark Activity center is staffed by American Red Cross and has capacity for 400 people.
Companion Animal Alliance will provide transportation for animals from F.G. Clark Activity Center to their facility, located at 2550 Gourrier Avenue.
SEARCH & RESCUE PREPERATIONS
Public Safety agencies and key Parish stakeholders will be monitoring and responding to on-going weather-related activities 24/7 from the EBRP Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Emergency Preparedness Personnel on the ground are ready to deploy needed. On a local level, law enforcement has strategically placed high water vehicles, boats and other vessels used for search and rescue are around the parish, including mobile lighting to assist in rescue operations, dive teams and other specialized divisions.
If any resident feels like they are in imminent danger, they are urged to call 911 immediately.
CITY-PARISH WORKING WITH PARTNERS ON PREPARATIONS
Mayor-President Broome signed and filed on Thursday an Emergency Declaration. This declaration is the parish’s initial, proactive protection measure in order to arrange additional state assistance in the event that the parish’s capabilities are exceeded.
CITY ASSETS
DPW and BRPD have pre-deployed barricades in flood prone areas where roadways are subject to flooding. City Officials have communicated our plan for deployment with DOTD representatives. In the event that heavy rain impedes travel, a coordinated effort will be used to deploy barricades in and around our Parish with DOTD.
Areas for barricades include:
·I-110 in Gov. Mansion curve
·Chippewa St train overpass
·Wooddale Blvd from Bellhaven Trace Drive to Florida Blvd
·Lobdell Blvd from Greenwell Springs Road to Florida Blvd
·S. Acadian @ railroad overpass
·Burbank Drive @ W. Parker Blvd
·Bluebonnet Blvd @ railroad overpass
·Florida Blvd Service Rd from Little John Drive to S. Flannery Road
·Oak Villa Blvd between Tom Drive and Florida Blvd.
·S. Sherwood Forest Blvd, running North and South of I-12
·Plank Road @ Harding Blvd
·Scenic Hwy @ Beech Street
·Scenic Hwy from 72nd to Harding Blvd
·Scenic Hwy @ Monte Sano Avenue
·North Blvd at 10th St
· 1700 block of Chadsford Avenue
· Antioch Blvd and George O’Neal Lane
STAY PREPARED AND CONNECTED
Citizens are advised to continue to heed the advice of community officials and stay informed. Please follow these preparations to ensure you and your family are prepared and informed:
· If you lose electricity, local radio is a great source of information.
· Ensure you have extra batteries and charge your electronic devices.
· Stay informed by:
o Monitoring your local weather radio and TV stations for Tropical Storm Barry forecasts.
o Visiting www.brla.gov/emergency for the latest emergency information for our Parish.
o Download the Red Stick Ready app to view emergency information on your cellphone.
o Follow Red Stick Ready on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Preparedness resources can be found on our website at www.redstickready.com.
SAND AND SANDBAG DISTRIBUTION HAS ENDED
Since Wednesday, the City-Parish distributed approximately 3,805 tons of sand and 483,500 sand bags to all EBR Parish sand and sandbag locations.
311 CALL CENTER
The 311 call center is operating 24-hours. Call-takers are manning the phones throughout the day and night. Residents are encouraged to call 311 for general information and to report non-life threatening emergencies.
Citizens can also download the 311 app in order to submit information real-time.
STAY INFORMED
For more information please visit www.brla.gov/emergency, contact MOHSEP at (225) 389-2100, follow us @RedStickReady on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and download the Red Stick Ready mobile application - free on Apple and Android devices by searching "Red Stick Ready".