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Guard standing by to help through storm

Fri, 07/12/2019 - 3:28pm

NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard, as directed by Governor John Bel Edwards, has been authorized to activate up to 3,000 Soldiers and Airmen, not to include full-time Guardsmen, ahead of Tropical Storm Barry, on Thursday.

“The Louisiana National Guard is taking a proactive and aggressive approach in dealing with the preparations ahead of Tropical Storm Barry,” said Maj. Gen. Glenn H. Curtis, adjutant general. “This will allow our Guardsmen to be more successful in their priority missions immediately following the storm – search and rescue operations and commodities distribution.”

In addition to high-water vehicles and boats staged in over 20 communities across the state in possible affected areas, the LANG has helicopters ready to support search and rescue, evacuation and recon missions as needed.

The LANG is also moving and staging additional assets to the New Orleans area in order to provide a quick response as needed.

Large quantities of drinking water, blankets and sandbags have been moved, delivered or positioned by the LANG to areas for distribution following the storm.

To help better assist coordination efforts at the local level, the LANG has liaison officer teams in Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Terrebonne and Vermillion parishes.

Patterson Healthcare residents are being relocated

Fri, 07/12/2019 - 3:20pm

Patterson Healthcare is one of two St. Mary nursing homes that are moving residents north to keep them safe from Tropical Storm Barry.

Patterson Healthcare confirmed the move Friday. Parish President David Hanagriff told KQKI that Franklin's nursing home is also being assisted by the state with a move out of the storm's path.

Patterson Healthcare is on Lia Street. Nearby areas south of the railroad tracks experienced flooding during heavy rain earlier this year.

There was no immediate word about Maison Jardin in Morgan City.

Curfew issued for St. Mary Parish from 10 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday

Fri, 07/12/2019 - 2:52pm

A curfew will be in effect for St. Mary Parish from 10 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Saturday, according to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office.

Teche Regional Medical Center initiates emergency response plan

Fri, 07/12/2019 - 2:31pm

Effective immediately, Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City has initiated its emergency response plan and is proactively taking steps to prepare for the potential impact of Tropical Storm Barry. The facility’s top priority is to continue providing the highest quality care possible while ensuring the safety of patients and their families, employees and providers – especially in a potentially emergent situation, a hospital news release said.

As part of its emergency response plan, Teche Regional Medical Center is diligently preparing employees and providers to ensure they are well-equipped to serve the community during this critical time of need. Extra staff will be available to accommodate higher patient volumes and to support the transfer of patients to neighboring facilities, as needed. Hospital leaders are working around the clock to ensure that the facility will have the appropriate capacity and supplies to continue caring for patients and supporting staff in the days ahead, the release said.

Teche Regional Medical Center is closely collaborating with the Emergency Management office in St. Mary Parish to stay abreast of the latest storm developments, collaborate on appropriate response protocols and provide updates to the community. The facility intends to share regular updates via media alerts, its website and social media platforms regarding potential facility challenges that may impact certain patient care services in the immediate days ahead. The community should be advised that in the event of a widespread power outage, the hospital has the ability to generate its own power, as needed.

At this time, the hospital and its emergency department remain open and are fully operational. If you have an appointment scheduled with a provider in one of the hospital’s clinics, call that office directly to confirm if they will be open.

Check the hospital’s website at Techeregional.com and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TecheRegionalMedicalCenter frequently for updates throughout the duration of the storm.

Morgan City adds more pumps ahead of storm

Fri, 07/12/2019 - 1:53pm

By Diane Miller Fears, dfears@daily-review.com

“We’re doing all we can to be prepared,” said Morgan City Mayor Frank “Boo” Grizzaffi Friday afternoon as he watched pumps being added at Pump Station 4 near Veterans Boulevard. The preparations are being made as Tropical Storm Barry approaches the Louisiana shore and St. Mary Parish with threats of heavy rain.
The mayor was able to secure two 12-inch pumps following a request made to Gov. John Bel Edwards during Edwards’ Thursday visit to Morgan City the mayor said. Those are being added to three 6-inch pumps secured from Drainage District 2.
Pump Station 4 will now have the capacity to pump 42 more inches said Grizzaffi. The station pumps water from Second Street to Elliot Subdivision.
Grizzaffi also noted that Pump Station 7 has an additional 12-inch pump to help with drainage in Wyandotte Subdivision.
The canal at Pump Station 3 along La. 70 has been pumped down 12 feet to allow room for possible heavy rain. That station handles water from La. 70/Marguerite Street to Brashear Avenue.
The Lakeside canal has also been pumped down to help with gravity drainage the mayor said.
According to the National Weather Service, rainbands spreading into area Friday will be capable of producing locally heavy rains of 1 to 3 inches in a short time period. Rainfall amounts through the weekend have the potential to be much higher and could reach 15 to 20 inches in some spots.
Grizzaffi stated that even with the added pumping capability, a heavy amount of rain in a short time may still cause temporary flooding.

1 p.m. update: Barry at 65 mph; now within 100 miles of Morgan City

Fri, 07/12/2019 - 1:05pm

BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Barry Intermediate Advisory Number 9A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL022019
100 PM CDT Fri Jul 12 2019

...TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS SPREADING ACROSS PORTIONS OF
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA...
...DANGEROUS STORM SURGE, HEAVY RAINS, AND WIND CONDITIONS
EXPECTED ACROSS THE NORTH-CENTRAL GULF COAST...

SUMMARY OF 100 PM CDT...1800 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...28.4N 90.6W
ABOUT 105 MI...170 KM WSW OF THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
ABOUT 100 MI...160 KM SSE OF MORGAN CITY LOUISIANA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...65 MPH...100 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 5 MPH...7 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...993 MB...29.32 INCHES

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

None.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Intracoastal City to Grand Isle

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Mouth of the Pearl River to Grand Isle
* Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas including metropolitan New
Orleans
* Intracoastal City to Cameron

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* Intracoastal City to Biloxi
* Lake Pontchartrain

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
* Biloxi to the Mississippi/Alabama border

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Mouth of the Mississippi River to Grand Isle
* Intracoastal City to Cameron

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* East of the Mouth of the Pearl River to the Mississippi/Alabama
border

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued
36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of
tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside
preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life
and property should be rushed to completion.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening
inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline
during the next 36 hours 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 Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-
threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the
coastline in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours
before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force
winds conditions that make outside preparations difficult or
dangerous.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area generally within 48 hours.

Interests elsewhere along the Gulf Coast from the Upper Texas Coast
to the Florida Panhandle should monitor the progress of this system.

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 PM CDT (1800 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Barry was
located near latitude 28.4 North, longitude 90.6 West. Barry is
moving toward the west-northwest near 5 mph (7 km/h). A motion
toward the northwest is expected to begin later today, followed by a
turn toward the north Saturday night. On the forecast track, the
center of Barry will approach the central or southeastern coast of
Louisiana through tonight and then make landfall over the central
Louisiana coast on Saturday. After landfall, Barry is expected to
move generally northward through the Mississippi Valley through
Sunday.

Reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft
indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (100 km/h)
with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast before landfall, and
Barry is expected to be a hurricane when the center reaches the
Louisiana coast. Weakening is expected after Barry moves inland.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km)
from the center. The NOAA automated station at the Southwest Pass
of the Mississippi River recently reported sustained winds of
55 mph and a wind gust of 66 mph at an elevation of 125 ft. An oil
rig located southwest of the Mouth of the Mississippi River recently
reported sustained winds of 76 mph and a wind gust of 87 mph at an
elevation of 295 ft.

The minimum central pressure just reported by the Hurricane Hunter
aircraft is 993 mb (29.32 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
Key Messages for Barry can be found in the Tropical Cyclone
Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT2 and WMO header WTNT42 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...

Mouth of the Atchafalaya River to Shell Beach...3 to 6 ft
Shell Beach to Biloxi MS...3 to 5 ft
Intracoastal City to the Mouth of the Atchafalaya River...3 to 5 ft
Lake Pontchartrain...3 to 5 ft
Biloxi MS to the Mississippi/Alabama border...2 to 4 ft
Lake Maurepas...1 to 3 ft

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.

RAINFALL: Barry is expected to produce total rain accumulations of
10 to 20 inches over south-central and southeast Louisiana along
with southwest Mississippi, with isolated maximum amounts of
25 inches. These rains are expected to lead to dangerous, life
threatening flooding over portions of the central Gulf Coast into
the Lower Mississippi Valley. Over the remainder of the Lower
Mississippi Valley, total rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are
expected, with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches.

WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected in the Hurricane Warning
area tonight or Saturday, with tropical storm conditions beginning
during the next few hours. Hurricane conditions are possible
within the Hurricane Watch area by tonight or Saturday morning.
Tropical storm conditions are spreading across the Tropical Storm
Warning area in southeastern Louisiana at this time. Tropical storm
conditions are possible in the Tropical Storm Watch area by tonight
or Saturday. Wind gusts to tropical-storm force in squalls are
possible along portions of the coasts of Alabama and the western
Florida Panhandle through Saturday night.

TORNADOES: A couple tornadoes are possible this afternoon through
tonight across southeast Louisiana, far southern Mississippi, and
the Alabama coast.

FEMA: What to do in the hours leading up to a hurricane

Fri, 07/12/2019 - 12:55pm

Here is a list of tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on what to do in the hours leading up to a hurricane:

When a hurricane is 6-18 hours from arriving
Turn on your TV/radio, or check your city/county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Charge your cell phone now so you will have a full battery in case you lose power.

When a hurricane is 6 hours from arriving
If you’re not in an area that is recommended for evacuation, plan to stay at home or where you are and let friends and family know where you are.
Close storm shutters, and stay away from windows. Flying glass from broken windows could injure you.
Turn your refrigerator or freezer to the coldest setting and open only when necessary. If you lose power, food will last longer. Keep a thermometer in the refrigerator to be able to check the food temperature when the power is restored.
Turn on your TV/radio, or check your city/county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.

Survive DURING
If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Do not drive around barricades.
If sheltering during high winds, go to a FEMA safe room, ICC 500 storm shelter, or a small, interior, windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor that is not subject to flooding.
If trapped in a building by flooding, go to the highest level of the building. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water.
Listen for current emergency information and instructions.
Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery outdoors ONLY and away from windows.
Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water.

Be Safe AFTER
Listen to authorities for information and special instructions.
Be careful during clean-up. Wear protective clothing and work with someone else.
Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent electric shock.
Avoid wading in flood water, which can contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
Save phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.
Document any property damage with photographs. Contact your insurance company for assistance.

Morgan City woman dies after Thursday morning crash

Fri, 07/12/2019 - 12:26pm

A Morgan City woman died as a result of injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash Thursday morning in Bayou Vista, Louisiana State Police Troop I said.

Troopers identified the victim as Claudia Dugas, 88.

Dugas was driving a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt out of a driveway near Delmar Road and failed to yield as she entered westbound U.S. 90, according to Troop I. Her car was struck by a 1994 Kenworth 18-wheeler driven by Oscar Gonzalez, 54, of Houston.

Dugas was taken to Lafayette General Medical Center in critical condition. She died Friday, Troop I said.

Both Dugas and Gonzalez wore seat belts. Impairment is not suspected as a factor in the crash.

Thomas Anthony Bourgeois

Fri, 07/12/2019 - 12:07pm

Thomas Anthony Bourgeois, 78, a native of Verdunville, LA and resident of Los Angeles, CA, passed away on Wednesday June 26, 2019 at the Southern California Hospital in Culver City, CA.
Visitation will be from 12 Noon until 2:00 PM, on Friday July 12, 2019 at the Immaculate Conception Church 980 Verdunville Rd, Verdunville, LA 70538. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 PM with Fr. Bill, serving as the Celebrant. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery in Vedunville, La.
Survived by host of relatives and friends.
Please visit; www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

Barry bears down; voluntary evacuations in area, emergencies declared

Fri, 07/12/2019 - 9:03am

Staff and Wire Reports

Officials called for voluntary evacuations in lower St. Martin and St. Mary parishes south of the Intracoastal Waterway on Thursday as Tropical Storm Barry continued to move toward landfall in this area late Friday or early Saturday. On Friday, officials also issued a voluntary evacuation for all of St. Mary Parish.
In an appearance Thursday in Morgan City, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Barry could come ashore as a Category 1 hurricane (see related story) with winds just above the 74 mph threshold. But the title will be less important than the impact: a possible 15-20 inches of rain through Sunday in east St. Mary and a potentially dangerous storm surge when the Atchafalaya is already over flood stage.
President Donald Trump on Thursday night declared a federal declaration of emergency for Louisiana, authorizing the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts.
Local governments moved to declare emergencies to put themselves in line for state and federal resources and financial aid.
The St. Mary School Board declared an emergency at Thursday’s meeting. Morgan City’s council called for a meeting Thursday and Berwick’s council for Friday for the same purpose.
Public works officials in St. Mary communities scrambled to clear obstructions and even deepen or widen portions of the drainage system.
The Atchafalaya River at Morgan City was at 7.5 feet Thursday night, or 1.5 feet over flood stage.
A storm surge of 3-6 feet is being forecast for the mouth of the Atchafalaya to Shell Beach. The river is expected to go to 9 feet Sunday and fall quickly, according to the National Weather Service.
Louisiana’s low-lying southeastern tip was getting hit first. Many heeded evacuation orders affecting 10,000 people in Plaquemines Parish, leaving communities largely empty by Thursday afternoon.
Among the last to leave the town of Phoenix was 65-year-old Clarence Brocks and his family. The Plaquemines Parish native has evacuated many times and had to rebuild after Katrina wiped out his home. But he said that he wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, despite the yearly threat of hurricanes.
“I was born and raised here. This is all I know,” the Air Force veteran said. “I’ve been all over the world and guess where I want to be at? Right here.”
Jesse Schaffer III of Meraux in St. Bernard Parish to the north was helping his relatives in Plaquemines Parish get to family members’ houses in safer areas. He said around 20 relatives were staying with him and his wife because their house is safer.
“We’re trying to evacuate and get all of our family members up and go to St. Bernard Parish,” he said.
With lightning flashing in the distance and some streets already covered with water from heavy rains, shoppers at an Albertsons grocery store in Baton Rouge stripped shelves bare of bread by Thursday night. Half the shelves normally filled with bottled water were empty.
A radar loop of Barry filled a TV screen at a brewery near downtown. Nearby, the sign outside a convenience store read: “Barry needs a beer and a nap.”
Meanwhile, utility crews with bucket trucks that could be needed after the storm filled hotel parking lots along Interstate 59 in southern Mississippi.
The National Hurricane Center said as much as 20 inches of rain could fall in parts of eastern Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, and the entire region could get as much as 10 inches. The New Orleans area could get 10 to 15 inches through Sunday, forecasters said.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said Thursday that the pumping system that drains the city’s streets is working as designed but that Barry could dump water faster than the pumps can move it.
“We cannot pump our way out of the water levels ... that are expected to hit the city of New Orleans,” she warned.
However, the city did not plan to order evacuations because Barry was so close and because it was not expected to grow into a major hurricane. Officials instead advised people to keep at least three days of supplies on hand and to keep their neighborhood storm drains clear so water can move quickly.
Hurricane Katrina caused catastrophic flooding in New Orleans in 2005 and was blamed altogether for more than 1,800 deaths in Louisiana and other states, by some estimates.
In its aftermath, the Army Corps of Engineers began a multibillion-dollar hurricane-protection system that isn’t complete.
The work included repairs and improvements to some 350 miles of levees and more than 70 pump stations that are used to remove floodwaters.