Louisiana evacuations, State of emergency decla (title edit)

[sunny]

Just heard they are going to issue evacuation orders for Plaquemines Parish. Level 1 evacations.

I'm adding the link to the contraflow maps, should anyone need them.

http://www.wwltv.com/weather/hurricane/evacroutes.htm


Blanco declares state of emergency as Hurricane Dennis approaches

12:10 PM CDT on Friday, July 8, 2005

Associated Press

BATON ROUGE -- Governor Kathleen Blanco today declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Dennis bears down on the Gulf Coast.

Such an order allows a state to seek federal aid or help from the National Guard if necessary.

Voluntary evacuations were called today in a suburban New Orleans area that includes some of southeastern Louisiana's most storm-vulnerable points.

In New Orleans itself, where cleanup is still underway after Tropical Storm Cindy, officials adopted a wait-and-see attitude toward Dennis, but says an evacuation call is possible later in the day or early Saturday.

Forecast tracks put the eye of Dennis over the Alabama-Florida line by late Sunday or early Monday, but southeast Louisiana remains within the forecasts' margin for error. Charles Rice, New Orleans' chief administrative officer, says if the track changes, they'll let the public know immediately.

Jefferson Parish, including Grand Isle -- a resort town on a tiny barrier island connected to the mainland by a single, flood-prone highway, called for residents to voluntarily leave.

Other coastal parishes -- Plaquemines and Lafource -- held off on until later today or possibly in the morning.

Blanco's order is effective through Sunday, August 7, unless terminated sooner.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[LSU2001]

I guess cause were in the CONE of UNCERTAINTY they are going to go ahead with the new plan. Hopefully it only comes to phase 1 and maybe 2
TIm

[sunny]

I wish they'd bring Nash Roberts out of retirement! Supermarker 6,000

[zoeyann]

I wonder how many people would actually leave even if they call for the evac. Most people believe we are completely out of the woods. I'm phase 1 and I am certainly not going to leave given the current forecast

[sunny]

from wwltv.com. Why?

Hurricane Dennis closings

The following closings have been called in to WWL-TV:
(listed alphabetically)

NORD Camps -- Joe W. Brown, Lyons, and Milne -- closed today. Will reopen Monday
Tulane University closed beginning Noon Friday through Sunday.
Xavier University closed beginning Friday 2 pm until further notice


St. Tammany sandbag locations

The following locations will hand out sandbags between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday


Koop Drive, 21411 Koop Drive, Mandeville (under the Tammany Trace water tower)
Covington Barn: 1305 North Florida Street, Parish Fairgrounds
Keller Barn: 63131 Fish Hatchery Road Lacombe
Fritchie Barn South: 63119 Highway 1090 Military Rd. Pearl River
Airport Road Barn, 34783 Grantham College Rd., Slidell

Parish President Kevin Davis is also asking residents to check their yards and pick up anything that could clog drainage areas. including.


Construction debris
Garbage cans and lids
Garbage bags
Pine Straw
Lawn furniture
Davis is also asking residents not to put out garbage for pickup during the storm and to help neighbors who may be unable to secure their yards.

Contractors are asked to monitor the storm closely and secure any and all construction materials before storm force winds approach.

[skysummit]

Sunny...that's just in case they start issuing evacs at mid morning. I still think it's a little too soon for evacs though. Especially with the current thinking on the track.

[lacyclone]

Preparations need to be made in advance. Even if the storm is not headed straight for you. These things take time, waiting until the storm is 24 hrs from your door step could be too late. Resources sometimes are limited. I guess what I am saying is better safe than sorry.

[zoeyann]

Well Sky Summit, I certainly think it is too early to call for evacs, but according to the new plan they have to make decisions now. I think they are trying to stick with the plan as a just in case measure. They do not want to have the problems they had last year if something changes, but like I said I'm not going anywhere no matter what they say because I believe it will hit to the east.

[Mattie]

I guess they are looking closely at the UK MET track as a "possibility" and would rather not be caught off guard. Even if the storm only goes to Pascagoula, with it being so large, it's a possibility that wind and rain may be felt there. Plus, after Cindy being only a "tropical storm" and they felt quite a few of the effects and landfall was east of there, they are being extremely cautious.

Also, you can get more people's attention during a workday rather than a weekend and more businesses, etc. can be secured now and reduce damage.

All just guesses . . . .

[sunny]

You guys are probably right. Thanks

[LSU2001]

Just to add my 2 cents,

After Cindy I would think that any effects of Dennis would be kind of hard to deal with. I went down to Cutoff yesterday and there was sure a lot more damage than I expected. Lots of trees blown over and lots of standing water. Also several of the bridges across Bayou Lafourche were closed. I assume Plaqemines had even more effects, so anything from dennis would really show more than usual.
TIM

[sunny]

My sister works for the Times Picayune - Phase II evacuation orders will come in later this morning.

[Steve]

Phase II today? Wow. I heard Jefferson Parish has asked businesses to voluntarily allow employees to leave around 10:00am so they can begin making preparations to get out without all the gridlock that can be expected.

Steve

[sunny]

Yes, Phase II today.

[wx247]

Do you have a link so that us non-Louisianers can see what each phase means? Thanks!

[T-man]

Jeff parish has asked all people with special needs to go ahead and evac. Phase 1 (outside of "hurricane protection levees") will have to come before Phase 2........

[sunny]

Jeff parish has asked all people with special needs to go ahead and evac. Phase 1 (outside of "hurricane protection levees") will have to come before Phase 2........

Phase I will come at 11, Phase II this afternoon.

[sunny]

Hurricane Dennis closings

The following closings have been called in to WWL-TV:
(listed alphabetically)

Jefferson Parish public schools closed at 10 a.m. Friday.
Jefferson Parish non-essential government employees will be released from work at 10 a.m. This includes employees Juvenile Court, First Parish Court, Second Parish Court, 24 Judicial District Court, District Attorney's Office, Clerk of Court, and the Assessor's Office.

[swimaster20]

Orleans Parish is currently NOT calling for an evacuation per press conference w/ WWL-TV at this time.

[sunny]

Orleans Parish is Phase III