Baton Rouge, La. – June 5, 2020 – Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome signed a parish-wide Emergency Disaster Declaration Friday ahead of the expected arrival of Tropical Storm Cristobal in Louisiana. By declaring a local emergency, Mayor Broome aligns the parish with Governor John Bel Edwards’ disaster declaration. This proactive declaration allows East Baton Rouge Parish (EBRP) to request additional assistance, if local resources become overwhelmed, from state or federal partners.

On Saturday at noon, MOHSEP will enter into a partial activation and the EBRP Emergency Operations Center will be staffed for the duration of the storm to ensure the health and safety of all residents.

Forecast

According to the National Weather Service in New Orleans, Cristobal has regained strength and is now a Tropical Storm. Landfall is currently forecast for Sunday afternoon. On the current forecast track, the eye of the storm is forecasted to reach East Baton Rouge Parish during the midnight hours on Sunday into early Monday morning.

East Baton Rouge Parish is under a Flood Watch until Tuesday, June 9th. Through Tuesday, East Baton Rouge Parish is forecasted to receive 3-6 inches of rainfall with locally higher amounts possible. East Baton Rouge Parish is forecasted to start receiving Tropical Storm Force winds, 25-30 miles per hour, on Sunday around noon. Gusts of 30 mph and higher are possible through early morning Monday.

2020 Hurricane Preparedness Tips

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. Residents should take the following steps:

• 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 nine 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 Howell Park – 5509 Winbourne Avenue
• 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 “RedStickReady” to 225-243-9991 to subscribe to local emergency updates.