The St. Charles Parish Emergency Operations Center remains partially activated and ready to respond to any threats posed by Tropical Storm Karen.
“Although indications are that Karen is weakening somewhat, we know that the eventual weather impact relies heavily on the track of the storm,” St. Charles Parish President St. Pierre said. “A shift could mean more severe weather for St. Charles Parish, and we want our residents to remain prepared.”
The current forecast has Karen shifting to a northerly track before turning eastward tonight or early tomorrow morning. If the storm follows the current path, there is a 30 percent chance of tropical storm force winds of between 35 and 45 mph impacting St. Charles Parish by Sunday evening. Tides are expected to rise up to 4 feet on the East Bank and up to 3 feet on the west bank.
It is important to note that the actual track has fallen outside of the National Hurricane Center’s cone of error during the past 24 hours. With this in mind, residents should remain alert until Karen completely dissipates or moves out of the area. The parish remains under a tropical storm watch.
Parish officials continue to urge residents to shore up their own emergency plans and disaster supply kits should they become necessary. This includes enough nonperishable food and water for each family member for three days, in addition to items such as batteries and flashlights.
Residents should also prepare their homes for possible windy conditions and heavy rain, including picking up and/or securing items that could be blown around and clearing culverts and drains on their properties to ensure proper drainage.
In the event of street flooding, residents are reminded that it is illegal to drive around closure barricades and create vehicle wakes.
All parish pump stations and generators remain operable and fueled, and canals have been pumped down.
St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. on Friday declared a state of emergency in St. Charles Parish due to Tropical Storm Karen. Based on the forecast, there are currently no plans to open an emergency shelter within St. Charles Parish.
The EOC is in continuous contact with the National Weather Service, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and other response partners and will be throughout the event.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Because of the potential for higher than normal tides in the LaPlace / Montz area, sand and bags are available at Montz Park, 100 Calcagno Street in Montz. Please bring a shovel.
All recreational games scheduled for today have been canceled.
Residents should call 1-800-ENTERGY to report power outages.
Garbage pickup is running as usual. Residents are advised to bring in any empty carts and remove roadside debris that could get blown into drainage ditches.
The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and Army Corps of Engineers have announced that the Sellers Canal sector gate in the West Bank and Vicinity Levee South of Highway 90 in Luling could potentially close at some point during this storm event. All boaters and fishers in the area should be aware of this development.
Adoption hours at the St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter have been canceled for today.
Animal Control will only be responding to extreme emergencies today.
The German Coast Farmers Market is closed this morning.