Baton Rouge, La. – June 3, 2020 – Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and all City-Parish officials are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Cristobal. The National Weather Service (NWS) New Orleans is forecasting that Tropical Storm Cristobal has made landfall near Atasta, Mexico, and will meander around that area for the next couple of days before moving northward into the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend. East Baton Rouge Parish is currently under a Flash Flood Watch until Tuesday, June 9th. The NWS is currently forecasting EBRP to start experiencing rainfall as early as today. Southeast Louisiana is forecasted to receive 8-10 inches of rainfall through next Tuesday. The NWS explains there is still no certain area predicted for landfall, but EBRP can expect severe weather from this tropical storm.
Hurricane season is upon us, and residents are encouraged to adhere to guidance from local officials and prepare your emergency plans accordingly. As we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more critical now than ever to review your emergency plans based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Special considerations should be taken as residents stock their disaster supply kits and prepare their families and households.
Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and the Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (MOHSEP) urge the residents of East Baton Rouge Parish to get prepared. “COVID-19 has proven that we must be creative and flexible with our emergency plans, and we encourage our residents to do the same. Begin thinking through how hurricane preparations and response will look for you and your family.” Mayor Broome encourages residents to “Begin making storm-ready preparations now. We must remain resilient by continuing to be a Red Stick Ready community. Have a plan ready and communicate that plan with your family and neighbors. Help us keep our community safe by staying informed, updating your disaster supply kit, and use the Buddy System™ to virtually check on family, friends, and neighbors.”
2020 Hurricane Preparedness Tips:
- Make an Emergency Plan.
- Develop a plan with your household members that outlines what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate if a hurricane strikes. Complete your household Emergency Plan at RedStickReady.com.
- Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands your hurricane plan. Don’t forget to plan for the office, kids’ daycare, and anywhere you may visit.
- Discuss the latest Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it may affect your hurricane planning efforts.
- Gather supplies. Consider having enough supplies for each person in your household for at least three days, to include but not limited to: medication, disinfectant supplies, cloth face coverings, personal hygiene items, personal identification, and pet supplies in your go-bag or car.
- Be prepared to take hygiene items with you like soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, or general household cleaning supplies to disinfect surfaces you may need to touch regularly.
- Prepare your home.
- Trim or remove damaged trees and limbs.
- Secure loose items and clear gutters.
- Fuel your vehicles, generators, and gas cans. Consider purchasing a portable generator and additional gas cans.
- Check your insurance coverage. Keep a copy with you – paper or electronic.
- Stay informed.
- Follow Red Stick Ready on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
- Download the free Red Stick Ready app on your smartphone.
- Visit www.redstickready.com for information and preparedness tips.
SAND AND SANDBAG LOCATIONS
As a precautionary measure, City-Parish officials, in coordination with BREC Parks and Recreation, have pre-positioned sand and sandbags at 8 strategic locations throughout the parish. Residents are urged to bring their own shovels to fill the sandbags. To view sand locations go to: https://gis.brla.gov/emergency
Sand and bags are available at the following BREC sites:
- BREC Airline Highway Fairgrounds – 16072 Airline Highway
- BREC Alsen Park – 601 Old Rafe Mayer Road
- BREC Cadillac Street – 6117 Cadillac Street
- BREC Doyles Bayou Park – 7801 Port Hudson-Pride Road
- BREC Flannery Road Park – 801 S Flannery Road
- BREC Hartley-Vey at Gardere Park – 1702 Gardere Lane
- BREC Lovett Road Park – 13443 Lovett Road
- BREC Memorial Stadium – 1702 Foss Street
For more information 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". East Baton Rouge Parish residents can text “Red Stick Ready” to 225-243-9991 to subscribe to local emergency updates.