Hurricane plan takes shape in Terrebonne
June 5, 2012
Lafourche prepared if storm approaches
June 5, 2012
With hurricane season now here, St. Mary Parish urges it will be cautious in the wake of a storm.
St. Mary Parish will call for a mandatory evacuation if a Category 3 Hurricane threatens to strike the area with a direct hit.
The parish will also consider a mandatory evacuation if a Category 3 storm strikes to the west of the parish, depending on how close the strike is.
“We’re ready,” Duval Arthur, St. Mary’s Director of Emergency Preparedness, said. “The plans have been made, the equipment is checked and the extras have been ordered. All we can do now is pray that we never have to move on anything that we have discussed.”
Arthur said the parish will host two staging areas in the event of an evacuation, one at Morgan City Jr. High, and the other at Franklin Sr. High.
St. Mary Parish Community Action will assist in picking up those residents who have no transportation, and bring them to the staging areas, where they will board a bus bound for the Rapides Coliseum in Alexandria.
“In Alexandria, we’ve contracted with the Red Cross to provide three meals a day there. St. Mary Parish has also ordered extra showers and restrooms, and contracted with a security service, in the event we face an evacuation,” Arthur said. “And there is room for pets there as well.”
Arthur said for the first time this year, St. Mary Parish will use the Phoenix System in evacuating its residents, should the need arise.
“I hate to say this, but in the past, we just typed a person’s name, address and phone number on a piece of paper. That was it,” Arthur said. “With this system, we’ll be able to scan drivers licenses, food stamp cards, even credit and medical cards, to allow us to gain and store vital information.”
For residents who will evacuate the parish by their own means, Arthur said he would like to remind everyone of a not-too publicized evacuation route from U.S. Highway 90, to Interstate 10, which is already functional.
He said the route begins off U.S. Highway 182 at Ralph Darden Memorial Parkway, which is adjacent to Cypress Bayou Casino.
“Driving this route will allow you to bypass Lafayette, and save an enormous amount of time, should we have to evacuate,” Arthur said. “The whole trip is about 35 miles, once you bypass the casino.”
To take advantage of the time saving route, Arthur said motorists should take Highway 182 as if they were going to the casino. Instead, he said, “bypass the casino.”
At that point, the road’s name changes to Chitimacha Trail. Continue down Chitimacha Trail, and cross over La. Highway 324 (also known as the Charenton Bridge).
After crossing Highway 324, Arthur said motorists will approach La. Highway 87.
At La. Highway 87, motorists should make a left and then shortly after a right, on the Charenton Beach Road.
“That road goes straight to the levee bordering the Atchafalaya River,” he said. “Once at the Levee Roadd at the river, persons need to take a left and proceed west to Henderson.”
Once at Henderson, he said travelers need to exit the Levee Road to Henderson Highway. There, they can travel three miles to the interstate.
Arthur said the road would also be viable to Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish residents, in the wake of a hurricane that is headed toward Houma.
“If the heavy rainfalls that closed U.S. Hwy 90 a couple of months ago in Lafayette would happen during a hurricane strike, it would be serious consequences for our people, and I don’t want to see that,” he said.
St. Mary Parish President Paul Naquin advises those who evacuate on their own, to wait until 80 to 90 percent of the power in the parish is restored, before returning.
“Our sewer, water and lift stations all run off power,” Naquin said. “Cleco and South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association are very good about getting the power back on.
“However, if you have a generator and choose to stay at home, we recommend that you have five days of medication, water, batteries, food and gas.”
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert would like to remind residents, “It only takes one storm to have a bad season. With our close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, it’s important that we keep vigilant this hurricane season. Knowing your vulnerability and the proper actions to take, can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.
“Preparation and planning are key elements in protecting lives and staying safe. So start now and avoid the rush at home supply stores, supermarkets, and other businesses that get crowded as hurricane watches and warnings are issued. Don’t wait until the last minute.”
Carl Kraemer, director of emergency preparedness in Morgan City, urges everyone to follow all of the Facebook pages connected with St. Mary Parish.
“Morgan City, St. Mary Parish OEP, we all have facebook pages,” he said. “I suggest that everyone either like or friend all of our pages now. It will be the quickest and fastest way to get information.”
In Morgan City, Kraemer said City Hall, at the corner of Everett and First Streets, will be Command Central, should a hurricane strike the area.
“We’re stocked. We’ve checked our equipment. We’ve met with all of our major businesses,” he said.
In Patterson, Mayor Rodney Grogan said he will follow the parish’s directives in evacuating his city of 6,100 persons.
“I want my residents, particularly my elderly and handicapped, to know that if we have to evacuate, rest assured, you will be moved to where you safely need to be,” he said.
A neighborhood struggles to stay above water during Hurricane Gustav in 2008. St. Mary Parish says they will exercise caution with evacuation plans this hurricane season and will opt for evacuation if a Category 3 storm pushes toward the area.
