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JBE: Phase 2 will continue two more weeks

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 12:13pm

Gov. John Bel Edwards said Wednesday that he will extend his proclamations to keep Phase 2 coronavirus restrictions in place for two weeks beyond Friday's planned expiration.

Phase 2 restrictions include limits on capacity and social distancing requirements for businesses, plus the statewide mask mandate, 50-person crowd limit and bar closures put in effect July 11.

The two-week extension would keep Phase 2 and the other restrictions in place until at least Sept. 11.

Texas and Louisiana residents heed evacuation orders

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 10:18am

DAVID JACOBS, The Center Square

Thousands of southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana residents took advantage of calm weather Tuesday to evacuate as Hurricane Laura takes aim at the region.

Laura is expected to make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane late Wednesday or early Thursday. Category 3 storms are considered “major” hurricanes and bring wind speeds greater than 110 miles per hour. Laura would be the first major hurricane of the season.

A storm surge warning, which means there is a danger of life-threatening flooding from rising water moving inland, was in effect from San Luis Pass, Texas to the mouth of the Mississippi River, including areas inside the Port Arthur Hurricane Flood Protection system.

A hurricane warning, meaning hurricane conditions were expected, was in effect from San Luis Pass Texas to Intracoastal City Louisiana.

In Texas, communities where mandatory evacuations have been ordered include Galveston, Port Arthur, Orange County and Jefferson County. In Louisiana, Cameron Parish officials have ordered mandatory evacuations, and several other parishes in southwest Louisiana have called for voluntary evacuations.

Hurricane threat leads to delay in Berwick Bay dredging

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 10:01am

The hurricane threat has delayed the beginning of dredging work to deal with shoaling in Berwick Bay.

The Port of Morgan City board learned Aug. 10 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that the dredging vessel Ingenuity was scheduled to begin work in Berwick Bay at the end of this month.

Much of the immediate need for dredging focused on the Morgan City side, where sediment and Atchafalaya River levels below 3 feet combined to hamper riverfront business that rely on access to the water.

But the Ingenuity, owned by Inland Dredging Co. LLC of Dyersburg, Tennessee, has been held up in Houma, waiting for the waterways to reopen, said port Director Raymond "Mac" Wade in a text message Tuesday.

"Most likely starting next week," Wade said.

The dredge will be available for 50-60 days, Tim Connell of the Corps of Engineers told the port board.

The National Weather Service has predicted that Hurricane Laura will bring a storm surge of 7-11 feet west of Morgan City and 4-6 feet to the east.

The expected rise in the Atchafalaya River at Morgan City may have begun earlier than expected. The National Weather Service says that at 8 a.m. Wednesday, the river was at 3.84 feet, up more than a foot since Tuesday.

The river is expected to reach 7 feet, the stage at which moderate flooding occurs, just before 9 a.m. Thursday and be back below 4 feet Thursday evening.

Both the Morgan City and Berwick town governments have closed gates in their respective flood walls.

St. Mary sheriff has numbers to call during hurricane period

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 9:38am

From the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office:

During the next few days, if you have a need for service, the numbers to dispatch are 985-509-7753 and 985-509-7754.
.
As always, if you have an emergency, you can call 911 for assistance.

Get It Growing: Why don’t some figs ripen?

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 9:15am

By HEATHER KIRK-BALLARD, LSU AgCenter Horticulturist

Fig season is well underway, and many fig varieties are wrapping up their production while others are still producing and ripening. Fig season can begin in Louisiana as early as mid-June and end as late as early October, depending on the varieties.
Your trees may still have green figs that just won’t seem to ripen, and that can be for many reasons.
First off, fig trees have a long juvenile period where they will not make fruit. Depending on the variety, they may take anywhere from two to six years to begin producing fruit. Those mature enough to produce fruit can take up to two months from fruit formation to optimal ripeness. In this instance, you just need to be patient.
Beyond the age of plants, the next possible cause for figs to not ripen could have to do with environmental factors such as temperature, water, nutrient levels and amount of light in addition to biotic pressures such as weeds, pests and disease.
Stress is the main reason why fig fruit will not ripen. Fig trees are extremely susceptible to stress, which causes them to slow down or even stop ripening their fruit. The most common stress is lack of water in high-heat conditions. Fig trees have a shallow root system, and irrigation is extremely important. If a fig tree does not receive an adequate water supply, fruit may not form or will not ripen.
Annual rainfall in Louisiana is typically very high — 60 or more inches of rain annually. However, rainfall data from 2020 for the months of May through July are showing an average of 2.45 inches less than 2019 rainfall for those three months. August data will likely show a further decrease in some parishes.
Stressed trees will go into survival mode, conserving their energy in an effort to help them stay alive and reproduce by conserving their seeds. Trees conserve energy by diverting it from the ripening process. Fruit will not ripen or will drop prematurely in addition to dropping leaves in their effort to stay alive.
One hard fact about figs is, unfortunately, green figs will not ripen off the tree. However, fruit picked just before full ripeness will continue to soften and become sweeter when they are stored at room temperature in a dry location, such as a pantry.
Ripeness is most often determined by enlarged size and a color change from green to brown or purple and sometimes gold, depending on the variety. You can feel for ripeness by gently squeezing the fruit, and it feels soft to the touch. Unripe figs are hard and have a rubbery feel to them. Additionally, ripeness can be determined by sweetness: the riper the fig, the sweeter it is.
In an effort to protect itself from pests or diseases, a tree will divert energy from fruit production and ripening into fighting off pests and disease. Scout often for pests and disease, and treat affected trees as soon as you spot them.
Fig leaf rust is a common disease that affects the trees. It is a fungal disease that affects mostly the leaves, and it thrives on humidity and moisture that is prevalent here in Louisiana. Trees respond by dropping their leaves in late summer or early fall. Fruit is not typically affected, but the disease can cause premature ripening of the fruit.
When planting fig trees, provide adequate spacing to improve air circulation in addition to using good pruning practices to open up the canopy. Avoid overhead watering, but water at the base of the trunk. Remove fallen, diseased leaves and discard them in the waste to prevent further disease spread.
No fungicide is registered for use during fruit production. Rust can be treated when trees are bare during the winter or dormant season followed by repeated treatments every two to three weeks to help prevent rust from reoccurring on the next year’s foliage. Never spray when fruit is present.
Making fruit can take a great deal of energy and work by the tree. A tree requires extra nutrients to support both itself and fruit. If the tree lacks proper fertilization, the figs slow the ripening process or may even stop. Additionally, over-application of nitrogen can also reduce ripening.
Regular fertilizing will help promote fruit production and ripening. Do not fertilize in late summer because succulent growth is more susceptible to cold injury in the winter. Wait until late winter or early spring and apply 1 pound of 8-8-8 fertilizer per year of age of the tree up to 10 years old.
Prune back one-third to one-half of the plant in early spring after the danger of the last frost has passed, typically March 15 for south Louisiana and after April 1 in north Louisiana.
To help improve fruit production and ripening of fruit, make sure the tree has plenty of water, especially during extremely hot temperatures, proper nutrients and proper maintenance. And scout for pests and disease regularly.

Dad’s ‘tall tales’ come up ever shorter on the truth

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 9:00am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: My father, who is in his 60s, has always been a storyteller, but since retirement his tales have gotten longer, and so has his nose.
I suspect he’s concerned about his waning influence in the world and that’s why he puffs himself up. He tells people he has academic degrees he hasn’t earned, takes credit for coining phrases that predated him and claims the hero role in events he couldn’t possibly have participated in.
Most of the time I let it go. But sometimes he starts spouting “facts” that are not only untrue but also potentially harmful, or he takes credit for work done by others who deserve the recognition.
Is there a way to call him on it that lets him save face? Speaking to him privately does nothing. When prodded in a more truthful direction, he becomes immediately hostile. Suggesting other ways for him to contribute to the world (volunteering, etc.) have been non-starters.
Before you ask, he has been to the doctor and this behavior isn’t the result of a medical issue.
EMBARRASSED IN TEXAS

DEAR EMBARRASSED: It should be apparent to you by now that you can’t change your father. His bids for respect and attention are sad, because the individuals being lied to usually learn the truth eventually.
Because we can’t change the behavior of others, it’s important to remember that we can change the way we react to them. Because correcting your father in public hasn’t worked, if you catch him telling someone something you know is untrue — and which could be harmful healthwise or financially — contact the person privately and advise him or her to verify it with a doctor, lawyer or trusted financial adviser.

DEAR ABBY: I am divorced. Three years ago, I met a woman and had a brief relationship with her. She was estranged from her husband at the time.
I fell deeply in love with her, but she decided to go back to him. It has been several years, and we have been “talking” again. She’s now divorced, and she told me she has feelings for me. She’s dating someone else, but she texts and calls me at least once a day.
I have sent her flowers and gifts for which she has thanked me, but despite all that she won’t “date” me. I’m beside myself because I’m still very much in love with this woman. I know she loves me too, because she has said so.
What do I do? I feel like pulling my hair out. Can you offer any advice?
WON’T DATE ME

DEAR WON’T: You feel like pulling your hair out because you have been getting mixed messages from your love object. Women who love men rarely refuse to date them.
Women who are honest and ethical do not date one man and text and call ex-boyfriends at the same time.
My advice is to do a 180, “detoxify” and find a lady who is emotionally and physically available.
***
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

Governor will make announcement Wednesday about coronavirus restrictions

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 8:06am

Gov. John Bel Edwards will announce Wednesday what happens when his proclamations on coronavirus restrictions expire Friday.

And at a Tuesday evening press conference, Edwards sounded doubtful about moving Louisiana beyond Phase 2. Hurricane Laura and the reopening of schools this month contribute to his reluctance.

Phase 2 includes capacity limits and social distancing requirements at businesses. On July 11, responding to a sharp upswing in COVID-19 positives and hospitalizations that started in June, the governor added a statewide mask mandate, the closure of bars for on-premises drinking and a renewed crowd size limit of 50 to the Phase 2 restrictions.

The number of new COVID-19 positives reported each day has since declined along with the pressure on hospital capacity.

But on Tuesday, Edwards said the number of positives compared to the size of the population remains above federal public health targets statewide, and about half of Louisiana parishes have positive test rates above the guidelines.

Laura complicates mitigation efforts because Louisiana Department of Health Region 5, where coronavirus rates are among the state's highest, includes Calcasieu and Cameron. Mandatory hurricane evacuations from those parishes are scattering residents to other locations.

At the same time, the threat from Laura and Hurricane Marco has interrupted widespread testing, Edwards said.

This week's testing would been valuable in determining whether the reopening of some K-12 schools led to an increase in coronavirus cases. K-12 and college students make up about 25% of the state's population, Edwards said, and they haven't been together in large numbers since schools closed in March.

"We're not going to have the testing to show us what happened when our schools went back into session a couple of weeks ago," Edwards said.

At least two groups of bar owners have sued over the bar closures, alleging that Edwards exceeded his authority and hurt their businesses based on thin evidence.

At a St. Mary luncheon earlier this month, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack criticized what he called "shutdown culture" in which restrictions are imposed every few weeks in response to fluctuations in coronavirus statistics. Without a new round of federal aid, Waguespack said, many small businesses will be in danger of closing for good.

UPDATED 1 A.M. Laura makes landfall in Cameron

Wed, 08/26/2020 - 4:50am

NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
HURRICANE LAURA

BULLETIN
Hurricane Laura Intermediate Advisory Number 29A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL132020
100 AM CDT Thu Aug 27 2020

...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE LAURA MAKES LANDFALL
NEAR CAMERON LOUISIANA...
...CATASTROPHIC STORM SURGE, EXTREME WINDS, AND FLASH FLOODING
OCCURRING IN PORTIONS OF LOUISIANA...

SUMMARY OF 100 AM CDT...0600 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...29.8N 93.3W
ABOUT 30 MI...45 KM SSW OF LAKE CHARLES LOUISIANA
ABOUT 40 MI...70 KM E OF PORT ARTHUR TEXAS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...150 MPH...240 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 350 DEGREES AT 15 MPH...24 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...938 MB...27.70 INCHES

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

The Hurricane Warning from High Island westward to San Luis Pass,
Texas has been replaced with a Tropical Storm Warning.

The Tropical Storm Warning southwest of San Luis Pass has been
discontinued.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

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

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* High Island Texas to Intracoastal City Louisiana

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* San Luis Pass to High Island Texas
* East of Intracoastal City Louisiana to the Mouth of the
Mississippi River

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* East of Intracoastal City to west of Morgan City Louisiana

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 Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life
and property should be rushed to completion.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the watch area.

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 100 AM CDT (0600 UTC), Doppler radar images indicate that the eye
of Hurricane Laura has made landfall at the coast near Cameron,
Louisiana, near latitude 29.8 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 inland across southwestern Louisiana
this morning, and then continue northward across the state through
this afternoon. The center of Laura is forecast to move over
Arkansas tonight, and over the mid-Mississippi Valley on Friday, and
the mid-Atlantic states on Saturday.

Air Force reconnaissance and Doppler radar data indicate that the
maximum sustained winds are near 150 mph (240 km/h) with higher
gusts. Rapid weakening is forecast as Laura moves inland.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205
miles (335 km). A Weatherflow site in Cameron recently reported a
sustained wind of 101 mph (163 km/h) with a gust to 116 mph (187
km/h). A National Ocean Service site at Calcasieu Pass reported a
sustained wind of 93 mph (150 km/h) and a wind gust of 127 mph (204
km/h) within the last hour. A wind gust of 104 mph (167 km/h) was
recently reported at Lake Charles, Louisiana.

The minimum central pressure estimated the from Air Force Hurricane
Hunter observations is 938 mb (27.70 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...6-9 ft
Morgan City to Mouth of the Mississippi River...4-7 ft
High Island to Sea Rim State Park...3-6 ft
Freeport to High Island including Galveston Bay...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.

Unsurvivable storm surge with large and destructive waves will cause
catastrophic damage from Sea Rim State Park, Texas, to Intracoastal
City, Louisiana, including Calcasieu and Sabine Lakes. 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 conditions are expected in the hurricane warning
area through the morning, with catastrophic wind damage
expected near Laura's eyewall. Tropical storm conditions will
spread northward within the warning areas through the day.

Hurricane-force winds and damaging wind gusts are also expected to
spread well inland into portions of eastern Texas and western
Louisiana this morning.

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

Across the northwestern Gulf Coast from far southwest Louisiana and
the Golden Triangle of Southeast Texas: 8 to 12 inches with isolated
totals of 18 inches.

Across central and the rest of western Louisiana into far eastern
Texas: 5 to 10 inches with isolated totals of 15 inches.

Across much of Arkansas: 3 to 7 inches with isolated totals of 10
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.

By Friday into Saturday, Laura is expected to produce the following
rainfall totals:

Across the mid-Mississippi and portions of the Tennessee Valley,
Lower Ohio Valley, and central Appalachians: 2 to 4 inches with
isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches.

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

Across the Mid-Atlantic Region: 1 to 3 inches.

TORNADOES: Several tornadoes are expected overnight over Louisiana,
far southeast Texas, and southwestern Mississippi. The risk for
tornadoes will continue through the day across 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 400 AM CDT.

Morgan City expected to dodge major impacts of Laura

Tue, 08/25/2020 - 10:28pm

GEOFF STOUTE

gstoute@daily-review.com

Morgan City is projected to dodge major impacts of Hurricane Laura, Mayor Frank “Boo” Grizzaffi told the council during its monthly meeting Tuesday at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium.
Grizzaffi said the city is prepared for the storm, which is expected to bring storm surge of 5-7 feet and some wind. The city also is expected to receive rain, which Grizzaffi said isn’t a concern.
“We’re more than capable of handling that, so I think we’re in pretty good shape,” Grizzaffi said. “We’re blessed that we won’t have to deal with the ferocity of what this storm is going to bring somebody else. We pray for them, but we’re lucky it’s not us.”
The storm is expected to make landfall near the state line with Texas.
Grizzaffi also said Republic Services will be running its regular routes Wednesday, while the mayor said he will check to make sure the other routes this week were run, too.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the council unanimously adopted its millage ordinance levying the 2-mill operation and maintenance tax for the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. The voters approved the 10-year tax renewal on Aug. 15. It will generate $786,000 per year.

Governor, meteorologist say Laura's effects will hit at midday Wednesday

Tue, 08/25/2020 - 7:41pm

Storm surge, rain and winds are all major threats

Louisiana was spared a double hurricane hit when Marco fell apart Tuesday. But now the state faces a triple threat from Hurricane Laura: potentially devastating storm surge, widespread rainfall of up to 10 inches and wind gusts of up to 140 mph.

Landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border is forecast about 1 a.m. Thursday, but the storm's power will be felt hours before that.

Gov. John Bel Edwards and National Weather Service Meteorologist Benjamin Schott said at a Tuesday evening press conference that the serious effects will begin to be felt along Louisiana's coast about noon Wednesday. Laura is large enough and strong enough to send hurricane-force winds as far north as the Alexandria area, possibly as far as Shreveport.

"It's important that nobody lets their guard down," Edwards said.

The Morgan City area marks the line between different levels of threat from storm surge and winds.

Schott, who heads the National Weather Service office in New Orleans, laid out the threats from Laura:

--Rain. Laura is expected to bring 5 to 10 inches of rain across a broad area of south Louisiana and as much as 15 inches of rain in isolated areas.

While Laura is a fast-moving storm, heading northwest from the central Gulf at 15-20 mph, flash flooding may occur beneath the rain bands, Schott said.

The heavy rain will be complicated by the fact that rivers such as the Mermentau and Calcasieu will be unable to carry water away because of the expected storm surge.

In 2019, 10 incidents resulting in 13 deaths happened when drivers tried to go through water without knowing its depth, said Shawn Wilson, secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.

Schott offered this caution: "Anyone who tries to travel during this storm is putting their life at risk and anyone in their vehicle at risk."

--Storm surge. The prediction is now for a 9- to 13-foot storm surge west of Morgan City and 4-6 feet from Morgan City eastward.

The surge could send water backing up waterways as far as 30 miles inland.

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, the Atchafalaya River at Morgan City was at 2.81 feet. The river is expected to begin rising rapidly about 6 p.m. Wednesday and reach 7 feet by 6 a.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Moderate flooding begins at 7 feet.

The time of Laura's expected landfall coincides with the highest tide this month, Edwards said.

--Wind. The forecast is now for sustained winds of 115 mph at landfall with gusts of up to 140 mph.

That puts Laura within the Category 3 range, defined as carrying winds of 111-129 mph.

The National Hurricane Center says of Category 3 hurricanes: "Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes."

Again, the Morgan City area marks a dividing line. Tropical storm-force winds -- 39-74 mph -- are expected as far east as the Atchafalaya River and Baton Rouge.

Emergency preparedness officials have declared mandatory evacuations in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes. Evacuations had already been ordered in flood-prone areas and areas outside levee protection in Plaquemines, Jefferson, Terrebonne and Lafourche.

State officials are using buses to take evacuees to hotels and motels, many of which have been underused since the coronavirus emerged, that are being used as shelters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved those plans as an alternative to traditional congregant shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic, Edwards said.

Rules have also been relaxed to allow commercial drivers more hours and to raise weight limits to 88,000 pounds to allow more food, water, fuel, generators and other supplies needed for the recovery to be trucked in, Wilson said.

The officials urged people to be ready to stay where they are at midday Wednesday. Information on road closures is available at 511la.org.

President Donald Trump, in the middle of National Republican Convention week, has approved additional aid to Louisiana, Edwards said.

Trump approved National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements Category B assistance for remaining parishes in south Louisiana not already covered.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency website, here's the aid approved for Louisiana:

"FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of Louisiana to supplement state, local, tribal and territorial response efforts to the emergency conditions in the area affected by Tropical Storm Laura and Hurricane Marco beginning on Aug. 22, 2020 and continuing.

"The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.

"Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures Category B, limited to direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding. This assistance is for the parishes of Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

"Public Assistance Category B emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding."