Baton Rouge, La. – August 23, 2020 – Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome signed a parish-wide Emergency Disaster Declaration Sunday ahead of the expected arrival of Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura in Louisiana. This proactive declaration allows East Baton Rouge Parish to request additional assistance and resources from state and federal partners in the event of local resources becoming overwhelmed.
Due to the continued threat of Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura, all City-Parish buildings will be closed on Monday, August 24, 2020, and Tuesday, August 25, 2020.
The Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will enter partial activation on Monday, August 24, 2020, at 7:00 a.m.
Forecast
East Baton Rouge Parish is under a Tropical Storm Warning. According to the National Weather Service in New Orleans, Marco has recently upgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane, with the greatest impacts anticipated to be Sunday night through Tuesday.
East Baton Rouge Parish is expected to receive 3-6 inches of rainfall, with the potential that localized areas receive increased amounts. Tropical Storm force winds are projected to start around mid-morning Monday.
Tropical Storm Laura is forecasted to make landfall as a Category 2 Hurricane, with expected local impact beginning Wednesday morning.
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 brla.gov/emergency
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 eight 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 “REDSTICKREADY” to 225-243-9991 to subscribe to local emergency updates.