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Gov. John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency due to the potential impacts and further development of Tropical Storm Ida. According to the National Hurricane Center, this system is forecast to approach the northern Gulf Coast at or near major hurricane intensity Sunday.

While there is some forecast uncertainty since the system is just forming, there is the potential for dangerous storm surge, damaging hurricane-force wind and heavy rainfall Sunday and Monday along the coast of Louisiana. A state of emergency is an administrative step that authorizes the use of state resources to aid in storm response efforts.

The Emergency Operations Center at the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is activated, monitoring the potential storm, and coordinating with both FEMA and parish offices of emergency preparedness.

GOHSEP is urging all Louisianans to plan accordingly. Hurricane force winds of 110 miles per hour are currently forecast. That is a strong Category 2 hurricane, and we should always prepare for a storm one category higher. Flash flooding from heavy rains can happen very quickly. While flooded roadways, flash flooding and storm surge are the immediate concerns, there is the potential for additional weather issues beginning as early as early Sunday morning with the arrival of tropical storm force winds.

“Unfortunately, all of Louisiana’s coastline is currently in the forecast cone for Tropical Storm Ida, which is strengthening and could come ashore in Louisiana as a major hurricane as Gulf conditions are conducive for rapid intensification. Now is the time for people to finalize their emergency game plan, which should take into account the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “This type of threat contains additional problems because the window to prepare is so short. By Saturday evening, everyone should be in the location where they intend to ride out the storm. Monitor the local news and updates from the National Weather Service and your local leaders, check on your neighbors, include plans for your pets, and stay safe. This situation could result in major power outages and limited travel. Consider steps that may need to be taken to deal with those type issues. The people of Louisiana have been tested time and time again, and while it is my hope and prayer that this storm will not bring destruction to our state, we should be prepared to take the brunt of the severe weather.”

“The conditions over the next 48 hours will be critical,” said GOHSEP Director Jim Waskom. “Right now we know conditions are primed for this system to strengthen. We also know the reality of this impact all too well. That means we all must remain aware of the potential of this severe weather threat, finalize your emergency plans and be ready to adjust those plans due any changes in the forecast or due to potential weather alerts being issued. If your plans involve using generators or other equipment, make sure you understand how to use those resources properly. Generators resulted in more fatalities than the actual 2020 storms. Please use caution.”

Remember to take certain steps to prepare for your family and pets. Check on friends, neighbors or family members that may struggle with their preparedness plans. People should be sure to pack masks and hand sanitizer if they evacuate and if multiple households are sheltering together, they should consider indoor masking to reduce the chance of COVID-19 spreading. It is also not too late for people to get the COVID-19 vaccine, which is safe, effective and widely available all across Louisiana.

If travel is in your plans, visit www.511.la.org for updates on road conditions. GOHSEP is closely monitoring this weather threat and stands ready to support our local partners and state agencies if help if needed.

For updates from the Governor’s Office, text the word ‘IDA’ to 67283.

DEAR ABBY: I have been friends with “Carolyn” since grammar school. We are in our early 40s now. She’s married; I’m divorced.
Two years after my divorce, she introduced me to a nice man I’ll call “Don.” Don and I have grown closer. He recently told Carolyn how he feels about me and that he wants to marry me.
After he told her, Carolyn started sending him messages letting him know that she is attracted to him. She even told him some confidential things about me that I shared only with her.
Don has shown me the messages she sent and told her he feels uncomfortable about her coming on to him. She dismissed it as “joking.” I plan to spend the rest of my life with Don. I feel betrayed and hurt by Carolyn’s actions. Should I end our friendship?
BOTHERED IN OHIO

DEAR BOTHERED: Your friendship with Carolyn ended when she not only put the moves on your boyfriend, but also tried to sabotage your romance by revealing things you had confided to her. What she did was no joke. I see no reason for a confrontation, but you and Don should distance yourselves from Carolyn.

DEAR ABBY: I was diagnosed with a brain tumor six months ago. All of my friends and co-workers know. My family does not.
I hesitated to tell them because my father was gravely ill (he has since recovered), my sister doesn’t like bad news, my daughter had a difficult time with my last brain tumor 10 years ago, and my son is in the military. There is nothing they can do.
I finally have a plan of action from my doctors. I will be having radiation and will hold off on surgery to see if it works. My question is: Should I bring my family in on this? I desperately want to. I know I’d be devastated if another family member kept this kind of information from me.
Or would telling them be selfish on my part? I mean, why worry them?
WAFFLING OUT WEST

DEAR WAFFLING: I’m sorry for your diagnosis. I hope you realize, because you have been around this track before, that you may beat this again. Because you want and need the support of your family, please let them know what has been going on. Doing that is NOT “selfish.”
If your cancer does not respond to treatment, how do you think they would feel that you had kept the news from them? Tell your father and your children so they can support you through this.
As to your ostrich of a sister who “doesn’t like bad news,” allow her to continue living in ignorance. She would be of little, if any, help to you during this stressful time. I wish you all the best.

DEAR ABBY: I recently invited two couples over for dinner. After the meal, I asked if anyone would like to go for a short boat ride on our lake. One of the couples wanted to go, but the other woman said she didn’t want to, so we didn’t. What would have been a better way to handle this so that we could have gone?
SAILING AWAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA

DEAR SAILING: Boating isn’t for everyone. Because she wasn’t willing, you could have offered your guest the television remote control and told her the rest of you would be back in 45 minutes if she wished to stay.
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For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

Helen V. Miller, 83, a native of Patterson and resident of Monroe, died Friday, Aug. 13, 2021 at her residence.
Visitation will be Saturday from 10 a.m. until services at 1 p.m. at Good Hope Baptist Church in Patterson. Burial will follow in church cemetery. Masks and social distancing required.
She is survived by a son, Johnny Andrews of Los Angeles; two daughters, Pamela Andrews of Monroe and Angela Miller of Houston; two sisters, Delores Butler of Patterson and Zenola Simmons of Rialto, California; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Otis Mortuary of Franklin is in charge of arrangements.

Kyle Stephen Smith Sr., 57, a native and resident of Patterson, died Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021 at Ochsner St. Mary.
Due to COVID-19, a memorial service will be held at a later date.
He is survived by his wife, Chailon Smith of Patterson; children, Aleceia Durand of Opelousas and Kyle Smith Jr. of Lafayette; stepchildren, Camry Lockett of Napoleonville, and Kaitlyn Ausama and Patrick Watkins, both of Patterson; siblings, Kenny Smith of Patterson, Kim Smith-Williams of Oakland, California and Katrina Thomas of Houma; a step-grandchild; and a host of other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and maternal and paternal grandparents.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.