‘Addams Family’ has something for everyone
September 1, 2011
Landry addresses Lafourche business owners
September 6, 2011
Tri-parish residents, along with the National Weather Service braced for heavy flooding Friday as forecasts ranged from 10 inches to 15 inches of rain expected in southern Louisiana from Tropical Storm Lee over the Labor Day weekend, and possibly 17 inches by Wednesday. As much as 20 inches was predicted in isolated areas.
On Friday afternoon the National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning and listed Lee as being stalled over coastal parishes. Locals said it had been several years since they had seen that take place.
Maximum sustained winds were posted at more than 35 mph with higher gusts anticipated as the storm strengthened. Storm surge water levels were expected to rise between 2 and 4 feet along the northern Gulf coast. Tornadoes were also possible in coastal parishes over the weekend.
“[Stalling] is the worst thing that could happen,” Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet said.
Claudet added that if rains remained light, area pumps could handle the load, but if there is a sudden sustained downpour, flooding could become a serious problem.
A voluntary evacuation notice was issued for Lafourche Parish residents living south of Golden Meadow on Friday afternoon, and St. Mary Parish President Paul Naquin declared a state of emergency for his area of representation.
“We have gone over our checklist to make sure we’ve got plenty of fuel on hand for our vehicles and generators, and have an adequate number of sandbags set aside for our personnel as well,” St. Mary Parish Homeland Security Director David Author said. “We have also issued sandbags for some municipalities.”
Author said he was monitoring conditions and getting hourly updates from the National Weather Service.
Terrebonne Parish officials extended their sandbag locations to include the Point-aux-Chenes Fire Station, Montegut Fire Station, Ward 7 Center, St. Anne Church, Grand Caillou Fire Station, Adult Softball Complex at the Houma-Terrebonne Airport, Upper Bayou Dularge Fire Station, Lower Bayou Dularge Fire Station, Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center bayou side parking, Cannata’s parking lot on West Park Avenue, Coteau Park next to the firehouse, Bayou Black Fire Station on Savanne Road, Schriever Fire Station on La. Highway 24, Gibson Fire Station, Donner Community Center, Friendswood Church in Village East, Gray Park next to UPS, Mechanicville Gym and at the intersection of Roselawn Avenue and Payne Street.
“We’ve been keeping abreast of the weather,” Claudet said. “Residents should remain vigilant. They should make certain that they are removing any obstructions to drainage in their area and that they should notify us immediately if they are aware of any conditions that are disruptive to normal drainage.”
Watch for full storm reports Wednesday in the Tri-Parish Times.
