Calcasieu Parish Issues Emergency Declaration – Sandbag Locations
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, Anthony Bartie, has issued an Emergency Declaration ahead of Tropical Storm Francine developing into a hurricane. This means emergency plans have been activated out of an abundance of precaution in response to National Weather Service forecasts and after consulting with the Executive Policy Group, which consists of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, Mayors of all Municipalities in the Parish (DeQuincy, Iowa, Lake Charles, Sulphur, Vinton, Westlake), the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff, with the Calcasieu Parish School superintendent in meeting Monday (September 9, 2024) morning.
The storm is expected to make landfall on the Louisiana Coast Wednesday afternoon or evening, likely as a Category 1 Hurricane. Calcasieu Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Jared Maze advised residents to monitor the forecast as conditions may change. Residents in low-lying areas and mobile homes should prepare to seek refuge on higher ground and seek shelter in safe spaces if needed.
CALCASIEU PARISH POLICE JURY SANDBAC LOCATIONS
Sandbagging Machine locations, with CPPJ personnel on-site:
Former Old Tyme Variety Store location - 810 Ruth St., Sulphur (sandbagging machine available)
Public Works East - 5500-B Swift Plant Road, Lake Charles. (sandbagging machine available).
Self-bagging locations include:
Ward 1 Barn - 461 Parish Road, Moss Bluff
Ward 2 Barn - 7085 LA 14 East, Hayes
Ward 3 Old Barn - 2302 Smith Road, Lake Charles
Ward 5 Barn - 129 Third St., Starks
Ward 6 Barn - 1275 Plum St., DeQuincy
Ward 8 Barn - 1726 Parish Barn Road, Iowa.
Iowa City Hall - 115 N Thompson Ave., Iowa (baseball field)
Vinton Public Works Yard - 1320 Hampton St., Vinton
2000 Carlin Drive – Westlake.
Please be advised sand and bags are provided, but residents must bring shovels and fill their bags. No other outside equipment will be allowed on sandbagging sites. If lines are long, please limit sandbags to 15 per person.
Residents can get back in line multiple times. Parish staff will be on-site to maintain safety operations and supplies. The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury will close the Residential Solid Waste Convenience Centers to prepare for the potential weather event.
Area residents are advised to watch KPLC and other local news channels to get more details and updated weather conditions concerning Tropical Storm Francine.