St. Charles Parish President Larry Cochran has issued a voluntary evacuation for residents who live in low-lying areas that generally have issues with flooding during heavy rain and storm surge events. Current forecasts of Tropical Storm Barry for St. Charles Parish are calling for sustained tropical storm force winds and gusts from 39 mph to 74 mph, potential storm surge of 3-6 feet and possible rainfall up to 17 inches with a high risk of flash flooding. Officials urge residents to take every possible precaution to prepare for wind, heavy precipitation, storm surge and widespread power outages that will be caused by Tropical Storm Barry.

The Community Center will be opened for residents to shelter in place at 8 a.m. July 12. Residents should prepare to take care of themselves without help for several days. Check your preparedness kit to be sure the basic items are included for each person.

SHELTER ITEMS INFORMATION

• Important identification documents
• Personal items such as clothing and toiletries
• A small pillow per person and an extra blanket
• Prescription and over-the counter medicines; first-aid kits

Items not allowed:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Weapons
• Drugs or drug paraphernalia
• Contraband

 

CLOSURES

• Parish Government offices will be closed July 12. All essential personnel will report to work.

• The Department of Parks and Recreation has canceled adult basketball for July 11

•  The Planning Commission Meeting scheduled for tonight has been cancelled and all cases will be heard at the August 1.

• Council on Aging offices will be closed tomorrow.

• Divison “D”, Judge M. Lauren Lemmon will not hold court on July 11 or 12. All cases will be rescheduled, and all parties will be notified of future dates.

 

SANDBAGGING

Sandbagging locations have been set up at the following locations:

• East Bank Bridge Park
• West Bank Bridge Park
• Montz Recreation Park
• Bayou Gauche Road (at the foot of the bridge at the entrance to the island)

The EOC is currently accepting sandbag requests from elderly and people with disabilities.

 

LEVEES

In discussions with officials in the National Weather Service River Forecast Center, there are no threats or concerns regarding the overtopping of the Mississippi River levee in St. Charles Parish based on the current forecast.

 

Any questions may be directed to the St. Charles Parish Emergency Operations Center at (985) 783-5050 24 hours a day. Parish social media sites will be updated continuously at www.facebook.com/stcharlesgov and www.twitter.com/stcharlesgov. Please call 1-800-ENTERGY for information on power outages.

Please stay tuned to local media, SCP-TV (Cox Cable Channel 6, AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 or www.scp-tv.com in St. Charles Parish), stcharlesparish-la.gov, 1-888-SCP-9EOC or 1370 AM in St. Charles Parish for further announcements.

To sign up for emergency text messages and e-mails, visit www.scpemergencyalerts.com. To sign up for e-newsletters, visitwww.stcharlesparish-la.gov/enews.

For more information on hurricane preparedness and to download a copy of St. Charles Parish’s ‘BE PREPARED’ guide, visitwww.stcharlesparish-la.gov/hurricane.

The mission of St. Charles Parish government is to provide high quality, efficient services to sustain and enhance the quality of life for all residents of St. Charles Parish.

Release from News from St. Charles Parish Government