NEW ORLEANS — Tropical Storm Marco is approaching Louisiana for an expected landfall around midday Monday.
Marco was a hurricane most of Sunday, but the National Hurricane Center says its maximum sustained winds decreased after nightfall. The center cautions that Marco could still cause life-threatening storm surges and dangerous winds along the Gulf Coast.
Ahead of the storms, evacuation orders have been put into effect. Here's the latest on evacuations:
Plaquemines Parish
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for the entire Eastbank of Plaquemines Parish. In addition, the order also includes the Westbank of Plaquemiens Parish from Phillips 66 Alliance Refinery to Venice.
Mandatory Evacuations will be effective 12 PM Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Transportation:
All participating evacuees will be picked up at the satellite sites and transported to the Plaquemines Parish Government Pavilion, located at 333. F. Edward Herbert Blvd, in Belle Chasse. Pre-Registration for transportation assistance is available and recommended. To pre-register with us call 504-934-6940 or 504-934-6690.
Parish Satellite Locations:
Westbank Parish Pick-Up Location:
Port Sulphur Government Building
Boothville Elementary School
Buras Auditorium
Eastbank Parish Pick-Up Location:
Percy Griffin Community Center
Shelter Information:
Plaquemines Parish Evacuation Shelter will be activated starting Sunday, August 23, 2020 at 3 PM
We are encouraging residents to find a means to evacuate on your own due to COVID-19 restrictions in public shelters. At the shelter, there will be many new requirements due to COVID-19. Each person that seeks shelter will always have their temperatures checked and will be required to wear facemasks at all times. If you are a COVID-19 positive individual, you will be isolated with other COVID-19 positive individuals in the shelter. All cots will be placed further apart in accordance with the State of Louisiana COVID-19 guidelines. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 you will be required to get tested.
In the event Plaquemines Parish would have to activate their point to point evacuation plan with the City of West Monroe, residents that seek shelter will be transported to West Monroe via Plaquemines Parish School Boards Buses and would be required to wear mask during the bus ride and at the shelter. Once at the shelter in West Monroe, residents will be social distanced and those with COVID-19 will be separated from the general population. Remember to include any items needed to sustain each family member for at least 3 days.
Lafourche Parish
Parish President Archie Chaisson has issued a Mandatory Evacuation for all residents and businesses South of the Leon Theriot Flood Gate and other low-lying areas. The Mandatory Evacuation takes effect Sunday, August 23rd, 2020, at noon. In order to accommodate evacuees that will need shelter, the Raceland Recreation Center (241 Recreation Drive, Raceland, LA 70394) will open August 23rd, 2020, at noon. Please contact the Lafourche Parish Emergency Operations Center at 985-537-7603 prior to evacuating to the shelter for assistance with instructions.
A voluntary evacuation was put into effect Saturday for the area of Port Fourchon.
Coastal flooding is a concern for Highway 1 between Leon Theriot Flood Gates in Golden Meadow and Elevated Highway 1 in Leeville.
Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish is asking for a voluntary evacuation of Venetian Isles, Lake Catherine and Irish Bayou areas starting at 6 pm Sunday.
Jefferson Parish
Grand Isle has issued a mandatory evacuation order as of 9 a.m. Sunday. A curfew will be enforced at 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23. An evacuation center will be opened at Raceland Recreation Center at 221 Recreation Drive in Raceland, La.
Parish officials have deployed super sand sacks (giant sandbags used for protecting fragile infrastructure) and pumps for the isle. Mayor David Camardelle signed an order asking residents and visitors with campers, recreation vehicles and boats to evacuate.
They are expected to be used to reinforce the gulf side of the levee, which was battered and damaged by Tropical Storm Cristobal in June, exposing a large chunk of the Burrito Levee.
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