JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — Jefferson Parish warns residents to hunker down ahead of Hurricane Francine's landfall on Wednesday.
Parish President Cynthia Lee-Sheng signed an emergency declaration due to the storm's potential impacts, which is expected to land as a hurricane.
A Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning were issued, and a mandatory evacuation was issued for residents living outside of the levee protection system. Those include Grand Isle, Barataria, Crown Point, and Lafitte due to expected "life-threatening storm surge", Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee-Sheng.
About 10 levees are set to be built in Lafitte; so far, only two have been completed. Crews are also using sandbags to build the height of the levees that were not completed.
JP's Emergency Operation Center, a communication center including representatives from different Jefferson Parish government agencies, was fully activated as of Tuesday. The center includes representatives from Entergy, the Coast Guard, the Louisiana National Guard, Verizon, EMS, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, and the fire department.
Jefferson Parish Protection and Animal Welfare Services
Lee-Sheng said the parish has made improvements since Hurricane Ida. "We have new live cameras that we're able to see a really good view of what's going on in Lafitte and Grand Isle", she said.
Nearly 500 workers are ready to begin recovery operations after the storm. "Give us time to make it safe for you again," JP officials said.
Residents should stay off the roads and shelter in place starting Tuesday night. Once winds increase, first responders will not be able to assist, Lee-Sheng said.
Potential for flooding, high canals, power outages, and downed trees are expected.
Shelters open include Terrytown Playground at 641 Heritage Avenue. Cots, water, and Meals-Ready-to-Eat will be available. Officials said residents can also bring their own food.
JP government offices will be closed through Thursday, Sept. 12, and garbage collection will be suspended on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Transportation services will stop at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
Lee-Sheng warned about post-storm hazards. She said seven lives were lost in Hurricane Ida: one person during the storm and six people post-storm. Post-storm included carbon monoxide deaths, a hit-and-run, and a homicide at a gas station.
"We need you to stay off the streets and give us time to put our community back together again and make it safe," she said. "We will do it as quickly as we can. "
In regards to water, both treatment plants will be manned, said Public Works Director Mark Drewes. "We have the capability of running them remotely if necessary."
Drewes said there's a five-day supply of fuel for JP's backup generators to withstand an Entergy outage if it occurs.
There are five treatment plants, one on the Eastbank and four on the Westbank, which includes Lafitte. They also have a five-day supply of fuel. Portable generators and pumps are ready to be deployed if needed.
An Entergy representative said restoring power would be the first priority. Thousands of restoration workers are on standby to restore power to customers impacted by Francine.
Residents in need of assistance can contact the Jefferson Parish Emergency Operations Center at (504) 349-5360 or the Jefferson Parish Medical Needs Registry at (504) 323-1818.
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