UPDATED 12:09 P.M.: Francine landfall expected late Wednesday afternoon, early evening
The 10 a.m. Wednesday update from the National Hurricane Center was substantially unchanged: Expect Hurricane Francine to make landfall somewhere near Morgan City sometime between 5-8 p.m. Wednesday. Tropical storm-force winds of at least 39 mph were expected here by early afternoon.
The maximum sustained winds remained at 90 mph, a strong Category 1 storm. Francine may reach Category 2 strength of at least 110 mph, but wind shear and an influx of dry air may stop intensification or even reduce the storm's strength near the Louisiana coast.
Most of St. Mary has a 30-50% of experiencing hurricane-force winds of at least 74 mph.
The National Weather Service predicts winds of 70-80 mph in St. Mary with gusts of 90 mph.
The storm surge is expected to be 5-10 feet in St. Mary.
Expect 8-10 inches of rain, with up to 16 inches possible.
The risk of tornados is rated at 5-9%.
Parish President Sam Jones called for a voluntary evacuation from all areas south of La. 83, south of Glencoe (which includes the Port of West St. Mary, all of Cypremort Point and Louisa), as well as La. 317 south of the levee near Luke's Landing Road. All of Assumption Parish and all of lower St. Martin is subject to a voluntary evacuation order.
Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency Monday.
“This State of Emergency will allow parishes statewide to have the resources to help protect the life, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Louisiana," Landry said in a press release. "Throughout this process, we will remain in constant contact with local officials and first responders and will assist them in every step of the way.”
On Tuesday, Landry asked President Joe Biden for a disaster declaration, which would make federal resources available for recovery.
Pelican Waste and Debris said it will not pick up trash Wednesday. Plans are to resume service Thursday. Waste Pro will not pick up trash in Morgan City on Wednesday.
St. Mary Parish school system schools and offices will be closed through at least Thursday as officials examine the damage.
Immanuel Christian School will also be closed through Thursday.
The St. Mary Parish Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed until Sept. 18.
South Louisiana Community College campuses will close at 4 p.m. Tuesday and remain closed Wednesday. Tentative plans are to reopen at noon Thursday.
Nicholls State will be open Tuesday but closed Wednesday and Thursday.
The St. Mary Parish Levee District announced plans to close these flood control structures:
--Bayou Teche floodgate
--Franklin Canal
--Hanson Canal
--Yellow Bayou
--Bayou Chene
Flood gates along the river in Morgan City and Berwick were to be closed Monday and Tuesday.