Staff Report
Hurricane Laura loomed large as a possible Category 4 storm as it approached what looked like a landfall in southwest Louisiana late Wednesday or early Thursday.
The first major hurricane of the season follows Tropical Storm Marco that was briefly a hurricane only to be sheered to death as it neared landfall earlier in the week.
At 7 a.m. Wednesday Laura had winds of 115 mph and was forecast to increase to 130 mph driving a storm surge up to 15 feet.
Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot said, “I have all city crews in place, and ready to work where ever is needed.”
He added, “I am expecting flooding...we will work as best as we can. We have all our resources set in motion for the storm.
“I know that Cleco is on standby in our area. We are as ready as can be.”
Fontenot declared a dusk to dawn curfew beginning Wednesday that is to continue “until all power is restored and roads are cleared.”
City Hall was to close at noon Wednesday and remain closed until Monday, he said.
“Our first responders are ready. We are in constant contact with each other, and with all city departments,” he said.
St. Landry Parish public schools were already closed due to the coronavirus.
St. Edmund schools, like other Diocese of Lafayette schools, closed Monday through Thursday with classes to resume Friday. Parents were asked to check with their children’s school’s communications system for updates.
The LSUE campus was closed Wednesday and scheduled to reopen Monday. Bengal Village will remain open for students and essential services such as police, security and facilities will be present as needed throughout the closure.
St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard issued a voluntary evacuation for parish residents in flood-prone areas. Residents who live in low lying areas were encouraged to evacuate.
Residents who live in unstable structures, including mobile homes and other structures that cannot withstand tropical or hurricane-force winds, were also encouraged to evacuate.
District Court Judge Alonzo Harris issued an order closing the St. Landry Parish Courthouse and all offices within it at noon Tuesday through Wednesday. The announcement stated Harris would evaluate the weather situation and decide later about Thursday.
Acadia Parish Sheriff K.P. Gibson said all of the parish would be under dusk to dawn curfew from Wednesday through Thursday.
Cleco announced nearly 1,300 distribution line mechanics and vegetation specialists from 11 states joined its 500 workers in response to Hurricane Laura.
“If the projected intensity holds, customers should expect high winds, flooding, tree damage and power outages,” said James Lass, director of distribution operations and emergency management.
Safety tips to follow before, during and after a storm:
— Have flashlights, a battery-powered radio and extra batteries.
— Make a list of important phone numbers and family contact numbers.
— Make sure cell phones and other devices are fully charged.
— Plan for medical or special needs.
— Report power outages by calling 1-800-622-6537 or by texting “OUT” from your cell phone to 25326 (Cleco). To sign up for text message notifications, text “REG” to 25326.
— Operate portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas and plug appliances directly into generators with grounded extension cords. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.
— Assume all downed power lines are live and stay away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 1-800-622-6537 and 911.
— If water is rising, turn off electricity at the main breaker, evacuate and stay away until waters have completely receded.
President Donald Trump amended the emergency declarations for Louisiana and Texas.