RSS Feed

The death of George Floyd at the of hands of Minneapolis police sparked protests and sometimes violence across the country. In Morgan City, a 16-year-old brought Tri-City area residents together Saturday in a community rally for peace.

Wesley Williams’ idea seemed to touch something in the 50 or so people who were present for the 10 a.m. start of the rally, and the others who came to watch as the event stretched on.

Jessica Daniels, who shared master of ceremonies duties with Williams, said before the rally that he came to her with his idea.

“He called me and he said, ‘You know, with just with everything going on, there’s division in the community which was sparked by the George Floyd incident,’” Daniels said. “There’s a division in the community against the police, against blacks, against whites. It’s just a sad time.”

Daniels suggested that Williams should call Mayor Frank “Boo” Grizzaffi.

“He came to City Hall and met with me and the chief of police,” Grizzaffi told the rally crowd. “He sat there professionally, set up an itinerary. He had plan.”

So Grizzaffi got on board.

“I hope this will accomplish everyone coming together as one,” Williams said. “The theme is unity beyond color.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re Asian. It doesn’t matter if you’re Mexican, black, white. It’s just coming together as a whole, as one body, not only in Morgan City, Louisiana, but in the United States of America.”

From the Lawrence Park gazebo, Grizzaffi described the rally as “not a racial type of event. It’s about what’s right and what’s wrong.”

The mayor noted that he has six months left in his term.

“I’m going to dedicate that last six months to working closely with the chief of police to make a difference in how we police our community, how we do things here in the city,” Grizzaffi said.

“We’re going to lead by example and try to set the tone for the entire parish.”

Reginald Weary, head of the St. Mary Parish NAACP, said he had come to doubt the commitment of younger people to racial justice.

“For a long time, I thought this generation doesn’t get it,” Weary said.

Meanwhile, instances of racial injustice continued year after year.

“We’re here to address the same problem at a different time,” Weary said.

But he’s encouraged that young people are involved in protests. Just as television coverage cast light on events in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. Cellphones are doing that now, he said.

“The revolution will be televised,” he said.

“Look around,” Weary said. "It’s not just black people that feel the misery we have felt. It’s white people as well. It’s people of all ethnicities.”

Morgan City Councilman Ron Bias said he feels that people have heard voices that have been ignored for decades.

“The thing we have to do now is get past the fear,” Bias said. “We have to sit down at the table of brotherhood and work these things out.”

Bias paid tribute to what he called the hip-hop generation.

“They’re pulling up their pants and sharpening their minds …,” Bias said. “I don’t think they’re going to put up with the mess that I did and my daddy did and my grandpa did and for that matter your daddy and your grandpa.”

India Bennett and Taaj Daniels read poems they’d written. And Daniels introduced a group of young men who call themselves Roots to Brotherhood. They hope to work with kids in the community.

Later, members of the audience were invited to come forward to speak.

Dwayne Dupuy of Berwick said he didn’t agree with Colin Kaepernick when the NFL quarterback took a knee during the national anthem to protest violence against black people. Dupuy didn't agree with that protest, he said, because he didn't understand.

“Now after seeing all this stuff that’s still happening, man, and nobody’s willing to make a change, it’s time to do better, man,” Dupuy said.

National Hurricane Center
Tropical Storm Cristobal Local Statement Advisory Number 20
LAZ045-052>055-070000-

Tropical Storm Cristobal Local Statement Advisory Number 20
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA AL032020
1012 AM CDT Sat Jun 6 2020

This product covers SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS

**Tropical Storm Warnings Now In Effect For Portions Of South Central
Louisiana**

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Upper St. Martin
- The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm
Warning for Iberia, Lower St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Iberia, Lower St.
Martin, St. Mary, Upper St. Martin, and Vermilion

* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 400 miles south-southeast of Intracoastal City LA or
about 390 miles south of Morgan City LA
- 24.2N 90.1W
- Storm Intensity 50 mph
- Movement North or 360 degrees at 12 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

At 1000 AM CDT, the center of Tropical Storm Cristobal was located
near latitude 24.2 North, longitude 90.1 West. Cristobal is moving
toward the north near 12 mph, and this general motion is expected to
continue for the next day or so, followed by a gradual turn toward the
north-northwest. On the forecast track, the center of Cristobal will
move northward over the central Gulf of Mexico today and tonight, and
will be near the northern Gulf of Mexico coast on Sunday. Cristobal`s
center is then forecast to move inland across Louisiana late Sunday
through Monday morning.

Tropical storm force winds are likely within the Tropical Storm
Warning over the coastal waters beginning tonight and likely within
the Tropical Storm Warning along the coast early Sunday.

There is the potential for heavy rainfall that may lead to flash
flooding over portions of south central Louisiana late Sunday into
Monday near the track of Cristobal.

Coastal flooding from storm surge of 1 to 3 feet above the ground will
also be possible by late Sunday into early Monday, mainly around the
Vermilion and Atchafalaya Bays when onshore flow returns.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across LOWER ATCHAFALAYA BASIN. Potential
impacts include:
- Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter
currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and
ditches overflow.
- Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations.
Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid
inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as
storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions
become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across SOUTH CENTRAL AND EAST CENTRAL LOUISIANA.

* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across LOCATIONS AROUND THE VERMILION AND ATCHAFALAYA BAYS.
Potential impacts in this area include:
- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
farther inland along rivers and bayous that drain into the Gulf.
- Sections of roads and parking lots near bodies of water may
become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions
dangerous in places where surge water covers the road.
- Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, and piers.
A few small craft broken away from moorings.

Elsewhere across SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS, little to
no impact is anticipated.

* WIND:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across SOUTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA. Potential impacts in this area
include:
- Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
objects become dangerous projectiles.
- Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several
fences and roadway signs blown over.
- Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. A few bridges and access routes
impassable.
- Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
in areas with above ground lines.

Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
across EAST CENTRAL LOUISIANA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
WATCH/WARNING PHASE - Listen to local official for recommended
preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to
evacuate, do so immediately.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a
safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Lake Charles LA around 5 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

Tropical Storm Cristobal Discussion Number 18
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL032020
1000 PM CDT Fri Jun 05 2020

The NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunters have been investigating
Cristobal this evening and they have found that the storm is a
little stronger. The pressure has dropped to 998 mb and a
combination of flight-level, SFMR, and dropsonde data support a wind
speed of about 40 kt. Cristobal continues to have a large and
asymmetric appearance with most of the showers and thunderstorms and
strong winds to the north and east of the center.

The storm is moving northward at a slightly faster pace, about 12
kt. A south to north steering flow between a deep-layer ridge over
the western Atlantic and a mid- to upper-level trough over the
western Gulf of Mexico should cause Cristobal to continue moving
generally northward for the next couple of days. This motion
should take the center of the storm across the Louisiana coast by
Sunday night. Around the landfall time, a slight turn to the
northwest is expected as a mid-level ridge moves across the central
and eastern U.S. Overall, the models are in fairly good agreement
and only small changes were made to the previous NHC track forecast.
This prediction lies near the middle of the guidance envelope.

Cristobal will likely continue to slowly strengthen until it makes
landfall along the northern Gulf coast in a couple of days.
However, the broad structure of the cyclone, dry air on the west
side of the system, and moderate wind shear should prevent a
significant amount of intensification. The NHC intensity forecast
is largely an update of the previous one and is close to the
various consensus models.

Cristobal is likely to remain a broad and asymmetric storm when it
makes landfall. Therefore, users are urged to not focus on the
exact forecast path as the associated winds, storm surge, and
rainfall will extend well to the east of the center.

Key Messages:

1. Damaging and deadly flooding was already occurring in portions of
Mexico and Central America. Cristobal is expected to produce
additional extreme rainfall amounts for another day or so. The
heaviest additional rainfall is expected over far southern Mexico
and portions of the Yucatan Peninsula, while also extending along
the Pacific coast from Chiapas to Guatemala and El Salvador. This
rainfall could cause widespread life-threatening flash floods and
mudslides. Refer to products from your local weather office for more
information.

2. There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge outside of the
Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System from the Mouth of
the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and a Storm
Surge Warning is in effect for those areas. Life-threatening
storm surge remains possible along the Florida Big Bend and in other
portions of southern and southeastern Louisiana where a Storm Surge
Watch is in effect. Residents in these locations should follow
advice given by local emergency officials.

3. Tropical storm force winds are expected by late Saturday night
along the northern Gulf Coast from southeastern Louisiana to the
western Florida Panhandle, including metropolitan New Orleans, and
a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for this area. These winds
will arrive well in advance of and extend well east of Cristobals
center.

4. Heavy rainfall will spread into portions of the Gulf Coast, from
east Texas to Florida this weekend into early next week, with areas
of flash flooding. Significant flooding will be possible on smaller
tributaries, especially where heavier rainfall occurs over portions
of Louisiana and Mississippi.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 06/0300Z 22.7N 90.1W 40 KT 45 MPH
12H 06/1200Z 24.1N 90.3W 45 KT 50 MPH
24H 07/0000Z 25.9N 90.3W 50 KT 60 MPH
36H 07/1200Z 27.7N 90.2W 50 KT 60 MPH
48H 08/0000Z 29.5N 90.8W 45 KT 50 MPH...INLAND
60H 08/1200Z 31.7N 91.9W 35 KT 40 MPH...INLAND
72H 09/0000Z 34.4N 92.8W 25 KT 30 MPH...INLAND
96H 10/0000Z 42.0N 90.0W 20 KT 25 MPH...POST-TROP/INLAND
120H 11/0000Z...DISSIPATED

Local parish, city and drainage district crews have been busy battening down St. Mary’s hatches — flood gates, mostly — as Tropical Storm Cristobal made its way into the Gulf of Mexico on the way to a Sunday landfall in Louisiana.

The prediction is for a storm surge 2-4 feet above normal, according to the National Weather Service.

If the storm passes east of the Morgan City-Berwick area, the prediction is that the Atchafalaya River at Morgan City could get to 9-1/2 feet. At 4 p.m. Friday, the Atchafalaya was a shade over the 6-foot minor flood stage.

Hurricane Barry pushed the Atchafalaya over 10 feet on July 13, but St. Mary Levee District Tim Matte noted that the river was higher last year.

As for Cristobal, “if it’s to our east, our effects could be much less,” Matte said. “If it’s to our west, it could be more.”

Matte said the storm surge is likely to come after the worst of the wind and rain.The latest graphics indicate tropical storm-force winds will be near the Louisiana coast by 8 p.m. Saturday.

The National Weather Service predicts the Atchafalaya will begin rising about 7 a.m. Sunday, reach 9-1/2 feet about 1 a.m. Monday and be back below 6-1/2 feet by 1 p.m. Monday.

Crews have been closing flood wall gates in Morgan City and Berwick.

Two major Levee District projects are under way: the Bayou Chene Flood Control Project near Morgan City and the Bayou Teche Flood Control Project.

The Bayou Chene work, designed to prevent back-flooding when the Atchafalaya is high, consists mostly of dredging so far, so the storm can’t do much to hurt the project, Matte said.

The Bayou Teche project, designed to prevent storm surge from causing flooding in the Franklin, Garden City and Centerville areas, is underway, but Matte said the contractor has taken steps to prevent damage to the work already done.

Elsewhere, pumps worked at the Franklin Canal structure to prevent flooding. And the Hanson Canal structure was closed Thursday.

One problem area during Barry was the levee being constructed as part of the North Bend Phase B project near the Cabot Corp. carbon black operation in the Centerville area. The levee was overtopped during Barry.

Now, the Corps of Engineers has the levee at grade. “That’s a project that should provide some protection to Cabot,” Matte said.

Drainage district crews are using Hesco baskets and limestone to prevent flooding from the Charenton Canal in the area near Metal Shark.