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7 A.M.: Laura heads north as a Category 2 hurricane

Thu, 08/27/2020 - 7:09am

BULLETIN
Hurricane Laura Intermediate Advisory Number 30A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL132020
700 AM CDT Thu Aug 27 2020

...DAMAGING WINDS AND FLOODING RAINFALL SPREADING INLAND OVER
WESTERN AND CENTRAL LOUISIANA...
...LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE CONTINUES ALONG MUCH OF THE
LOUISIANA COASTLINE...

SUMMARY OF 700 AM CDT...1200 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...31.2N 93.3W
ABOUT 20 MI...30 KM N OF FORT POLK LOUISIANA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...100 MPH...160 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 360 DEGREES AT 15 MPH...24 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...970 MB...28.64 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The Hurricane Warning from High Island to Intracoastal City has
been replaced with a Tropical Storm Warning.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* High Island Texas to the Mouth of the Mississippi River

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* High Island Texas to the Mouth of the Mississippi River

A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening
inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline in
the indicated locations. For a depiction of areas at risk, please
see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic,
available at hurricanes.gov. This is a life-threatening situation.
Persons located within these areas should take all necessary
actions to protect life and property from rising water and the
potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow
evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area.

For storm information specific to your area, including possible
inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your
local National Weather Service forecast office.

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 700 AM CDT (1200 UTC), the center of Hurricane Laura was located
near latitude 31.2 North, longitude 93.3 West. Laura is moving
toward the north near 15 mph (24 km/h) and this motion should
continue through the day. A northeastward to east-northeastward
motion is expected tonight and Friday. On the forecast track, Laura
will move northward across western and northern Louisiana
through this afternoon. The center of Laura is forecast to move
over Arkansas tonight, the mid-Mississippi Valley on Friday, and
the mid-Atlantic states on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph (160 km/h) with higher
gusts. Rapid weakening is forecast, and Laura is expected to
become a tropical storm later today.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175
miles (280 km). An observing site in Alexandria, Louisiana,
recently reported a wind gust to 74 mph (119 km/h)

The estimated minimum central pressure is 970 mb (28.64 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
Key messages for Laura can be found in the Tropical Cyclone
Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT3 and WMO header WTNT43 KNHC.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the
tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by
rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could
reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated
areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...

Johnson Bayou to Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge including Calcasieu
Lake...15-20 ft
Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge to Intracoastal City...10-15 ft
Intracoastal City to Morgan City including Vermilion Bay...8-12 ft
Sea Rim State Park to Johnson Bayou including Sabine Lake...4-8 ft
Morgan City to Mouth of the Mississippi River...4-7 ft
High Island to Sea Rim State Park...2-4 ft
Mouth of the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs including Lake
Borgne...1-3 ft
Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas...1-3 ft

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to
the right of the landfall location, where the surge will be
accompanied by large and destructive waves.

Life-threatening storm surge with large and destructive waves will
continue within the Storm Surge Warning area this morning. This
surge could penetrate up to 40 miles inland from the immediate
coastline, and flood waters will not fully recede for several days
after the storm.

Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge
and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For
information specific to your area, please see products issued by
your local National Weather Service forecast office.

WIND: Hurricane-force winds and damaging wind gusts are also
expected to spread well inland into portions of eastern Texas and
western Louisiana this morning. Tropical storm conditions will
spread northward within the warning areas through the day.

RAINFALL: Through Friday, Laura is expected to produce the following
rainfall totals:

Across portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, across Arkansas: 6 to 12
inches with isolated totals of 18 inches.

This rainfall will cause widespread flash and urban flooding, small
streams and creeks to overflow their banks, and minor to moderate
freshwater river flooding.

Through Saturday, Laura is expected to produce 1 to 3 inches with
isolated maximum amounts of 5 inches across the mid-Mississippi
Valley and portions of the Tennessee and Lower Ohio Valley, the
central Appalachians and the Mid-Atlantic States.

This rainfall may lead to flash and urban flooding and rapid rises
on small streams.

TORNADOES: Tornadoes are possible today and tonight over parts of
Louisiana, Arkansas, and western Mississippi.

SURF: Swells produced by Laura are affecting the U.S. Gulf coast
from the west coast of Florida to Texas and northeastern Mexico.
These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip
current conditions. Please consult products from your local
weather office.

NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
Next complete advisory at 1000 AM CDT.

$$
Forecaster Brown

Ochsner St. Mary will remain open

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 8:37pm

Ochsner St. Mary announced Wednesday that it will be open for business as usual. Patients will continue to be admitted, surgeries will be done as scheduled, and appropriate personnel will be in place to care for patients.

During the course of events, the hospital said, the staff will closely monitor the developments of the storm to insure patient safety and satisfaction.

As a reminder, Ochsner St. Mary is not an evacuation site. Please check with the Office of Emergency Preparedness for the site listing available in our area. However, in the unlikely event that you are injured and in need of health care, Ochsner St. Mary will be ready to provide care during the storm.

ELYVEN MARIE WATSON BOBB

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 8:28pm

Elyven Marie Watson Bobb, 80, a resident and native of Morgan City, Louisiana, died Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, at 2:45 p.m. at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City.

Visitation will be observed Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Siracusaville Recreation Center (All visitors are asked to adhere to the CDC/local regulations by wearing masks and practicing social distancing) , 1110 Grace St., Morgan City, from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m. Burial will follow services in the Morgan City Cemetery. Services will be accessible by viewing the Jones Funeral Home Inc. Facebook Page at 11 a.m. Saturday

She is survived by children the Rev. Shawn P. Watson of Victorville, California, Leah M. Bobb, Morgan City, Stanley Bobb and Margaret McDaniels, all of Natchitoches; grandchildren; foster grandchildren, great-grandchildren; five sisters, Vera L Jones, Patsy A. O’Gwin, Kathryn R. Thomas, and Helen M. Collins all of Morgan City, and Mrs. Troy (Joyce E.) Matthews of Schriever; and one brother. Raymond Ruffin Sr. of Morgan City; two daughters-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, an aunt, god children, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her: husband, parents, father and mother-in-law, one sister, four brothers, one grandchild, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

High-water vehicle at Ochsner St. Mary

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 8:20pm

In preparation for Hurricane Laura, Ochsner Health has deployed a high-water truck to Ochsner St. Mary. Pictured are Dr. Larry Nelson, chief of staff, and Fernis LeBlanc, CEO of Ochsner St. Mary.

Submitted Photo

Hanagriff says St. Mary is prepared for Laura

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 7:25pm

GEOFF STOUTE

gstoute@daily-review.com

St. Mary Parish is as prepared as it can be for Hurricane Laura as it approaches landfall near the state line with Texas, Parish President David Hanagriff said following the National Weather Service’s 4 p.m. briefing, the last public one before the storm arrives.
Hanagriff said a mandatory evacuation was called for areas south of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, noting that if the storm were to make a move to the east, the parish would have to be prepared for it.
"Hopefully it doesn't,” he said. “Hopefully it stays exactly where it's at. However, we'll still get significant tidal surge, which is what we're really concerned with more than anything else."
St. Mary Parish Fire District No. 11 Chief Clarence Clark said that while they don’t want anyone to stay who has been ordered to leave, if they do stay, they will have to wait until it is safe for fire and rescue personnel to come for them.
"I want to see everyone get through this, but I cannot put any of my firefighters out there in the midst of this when it's not safe,” he said
The storm surge, projected to be similar to Hurricane Rita, will hit its peak between about 7 a.m. to the noon hour, Hanagriff said.
The parish also is expected to receive tropical force sustained winds from 30-40 mph and gusts from 50 mph to 60 mph. The tropical force winds will be present throughout the night and tomorrow.
"That's a big enough wind to where it will probably cause some power outages as far as powerlines and trees falling, so that's definitely a likelihood, especially with the rain as it comes through (first) and it softens everything up," Hanagriff said.
Other than bands, Hanagriff said he doesn’t expect a lot of rain.
As long as the storm does not take a shift to the east, Hanagriff said he thinks the parish will be OK.
While there is a curfew in the parish from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice, it applies to everywhere in the parish except Morgan City.
"Talking with Mayor (Frank “Boo”) Grizzaffi, with Morgan City being as far to the east as it was, he didn't think it was necessary to do a curfew," Hanagriff said.
For those who have to work, Hanagriff said there will be no problems as long as they have their identification.

Mandatory evacuation for areas of St. Mary

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 2:15pm

Parish President David Hanagriff has issued a mandatory evacuation order at t 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday or areas south of the Intracoastal Waterway including Ashton, Freetown Road, Glencoe, Louisa, South of La. 83 at Cypremort Road, and residents along Kelly Canal.

Hanagriff says that if you had water for Barry or Rita or are near the waterway, a voluntary evacuation is ordered

Curfew set St. Mary Parish; parish has information on evacuation assistance

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 2:05pm

From the St. Mary Office of Homeland Security:

A Curfew for St. Mary Parish has been established from 9 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday.
This curfew will stay in effect until further notice.

FOR ST MARY PARISH RESIDENTS:
EVACUATION RECEPTION CENTER HAS BEEN SET UP AT
5600 BLUEBONNET RD
BATON ROUGE LA

IF YOU NEED EVACUATION ASSISTANCE PLEASE CALL
337-828- 4100 EXT 136 LEAVE MESSAGE WITH NAME AND PHONE NUMBER...

ROAD CLOSURES:
HWY 317 SOUTH OF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY

INTERSECTION HWY 83 @ HWY 319 TO CYPREMORT POINT

'Unsurvivable' storm surge, winds headed for Cameron; St. Mary likely to see coastal flooding

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 1:41pm

Staff Report

State officials and a meteorologist are using words like "unsurvivable" and "devastating" to describe Hurricane Laura's potential impact on southwest Louisiana as it nears an overnight landfall in or near Cameron Parish as a Category 4 storm.

St. Mary Parish could see coastal flooding as Laura heads in. St. Mary will probably see winds at or near tropical storm strength, or 39-74 mph. Five to 10 inches of rain are expected over a wide area of the Louisiana coast, with 15 inches in isolated spots.

The storm surge is expected to push the Atchafalaya at Morgan City from the 3.84 feet reported at 11 a.m. Wednesday to the 7-foot moderate flood stage overnight.

Just before noon, the National Weather Service reported no precipitation since 1 a.m. at Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport near Patterson. But just before noon Wednesday, east wind of 25 mph and gusts up to 32 mph were reported.

Voluntary evacuations are in effect in St. Mary south of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and in lower St. Martin Parish.

The impacts farther west will be far more dire, according to information from Gov. John Bel Edwards' press conference at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Laura is now expected to come ashore about 1 a.m. Thursday in or near low-lying Cameron Parish with sustained winds of 145 mph and gusts up to 170 mph, said Benjamin Schott, meteorologist in chief at the National Weather Service New Orleans Office.

"I think the damage from this will be, unfortunately, devastating at a level that a lot of people won't be able to recognize the area they live in if the winds are realized that are in this forecast," Schott said.

The storm surge near Laura's center could reach 18 to 20 feet, a "wall of water two stories high" that could put most of Cameron underwater.

"The word 'unsurvivable' is not one we like to use, and I've never used it," Schott said.

The people at the press conference have stopped comparing Laura to 2005's Hurricane Rita, which came ashore in the same area as a Category 3 storm. They're starting to compare Laura to Hurricane Audrey. That June 1957 storm flooded nearly all of Cameron and may have killed as many as 500 people.

"There is no way to be certain that if you lived through Rita and you're hunkering down in an area where there is an evacuation [order], you will survive," Schott said.

The state government has received a Federal Emergency Management Agency OK to place evacuees from Cameron and Calcasieu into hotels and motels as an alternative to congregate shelters that could pose a COVID-19 risks,Edwards said. About 800 rooms were occupied Tuesday night, and Edwards anticipate that all 2,000 will be in use by Wednesday night.

The large buses that the state uses to transport evacuees can't run when winds exceed 45 mph. Officials anticipated that the buses would be out of action by early in the afternoon. Individual vehicles have another two or three hours to travel safely, they said.

But Schott and the governor said it's important to make the decision to evacuate now and get on the road before the storm's effects make travel dangerous.

Edwards said that the entire Louisiana National Guard is being activated with 3,000 troops already at work and more on the way.

In addition to their work at food banks and helping with the COVID-19 response, they'll be involved with search and rescue efforts, Edwards said. The Guard has about 222 high-water vehicles, 65 boats and aircraft that can be used in rescue efforts, he said.

Commercial vehicles are being diverted away from I-10 north to I-20 because I-10 is expected to have standing water in portions of the highway in Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis and possibly Acadia parishes.

Manadatory evacuation issued for south of Intracoastal; curfew in place

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 1:35pm

Staff Report

A mandatory evacuation in St. Mary Parish for areas south of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and a parish wide curfew have been issued, both due to Hurricane Laura.
The evacuation was called by Parish President David Hanagriff for areas including Ashton, Freetown Road, Glencoe, Louisa, areas south of La. 83 at Cypremort Road and those living along Kelly Canal.
Also, for those who took on water for Barry or Rita or live near a waterway, a voluntary evacuation has been ordered.
Meanwhile, the parish curfew will be from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice.
Also, an evacuation reception center has been set up at 5600 Bluebonnet Road in Baton Rouge. For assistance evacuating, call 337-828-4100, extension 136 and leave a message with your name and telephone number.

Three new COVID deaths in three local parishes

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 12:40pm

The number of COVID-19 cases reported in three local parishes since the pandemic began was adjusted downward in the Louisiana Office of Public Health report Wednesday, making it impossible to calculate the number of new cases. One death each in St. Mary, St. Mary and Assumption was reported Wednesday.

The St. Mary death raised the toll to 67. The number of cases since the pandemic began is now 1,737.

In St. Martin, the new fatality raised the toll to 55. The state is reporting a pandemic total of 1,920 cases.

Assumption's newly reported death raises that total to 22. The case count is now 649.

Statewide:

--846 new cases raise the total to 144,960.

--32 deaths raise the pandemic's toll to 4,688.

--16 fewer COVID-positive patients are in hospitals for a total of 914.

--148 COVID patients were on ventilators Wednesday.