PRESIDENT COOPER, PARISH OFFICIALS PROVIDE CRITICAL HURRICANE IDA UPDATE
ST. TAMMANY, LA. – St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper offered essential information and updates regarding Hurricane Ida on Saturday, August 28, 2021.
“If you are planning to evacuate, please do so NOW,” said President Mike Cooper. “If you plan on staying, please get to a safe location by Saturday night. It is critical that you have a plan in place and you are fully prepared. Please make sure your elderly or infirmed neighbors have a safe place to shelter. Stock up on your essential items and be prepared to stay home for a few days, especially as we may lose power.”
The following shelters of last resort will open at 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 28, 2021:
- Creekside Jr. High – General Population / Electrically Dependent Shelter
- Shelter requirements:
- 1) Must require electricity to sustain life
- 2) Must have one caregiver 18 years or older (only one will be allowed) to accompany
- 3) Must bring own linen and bedding, food and water, and medicines.
- Lee Road Jr. High – General Population
Hurricane Ida is projected to make landfall as a category 4 major hurricane sometime Sunday afternoon. Tropical storm force winds may arrive in St. Tammany Parish as early as overnight Saturday night into Sunday morning. Coastal St. Tammany Parish is under a storm surge warning. All of St. Tammany is under a hurricane watch.
Ida is expected to bring 10 inches or more rain with strong possibilities of tornadoes. Local roadways are expected to be impassable, due to high water and downed trees. Widespread power outages for extended periods of time should be expected.
Nearly 49,000 sandbags were filled yesterday. Sandbags are still available through dusk today at the following locations:
- Covington Public Works Barn - 1305 N. Florida Street, Covington.
- Koop Drive - 21410 Koop Drive, Mandeville Building B.
- Fritchie Public Works Barn - 63119 HWY 1090, Pearl River.
- Airport Road Public Works Barn - 34583 Grantham College Road, Slidell.
- Keller Public Works Barn - 63131 Fish Hatchery Road, Lacombe.
- The Old Levee District Site - 61134 Military Road (HWY 190), Slidell.
Sandbags are self-service. Residents are asked to bring their own shovels, in the event that all provided shovels are in use. Sandbags are limited to 15 per vehicle. Assistance is available to those who may need it.
It is critical for your safety, as well as first responders, to operate generators correctly. The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution, and fire. For directions on how to properly use your generator, look to the manufacturer’s instructions or visit energy.gov.
All St. Tammany Parish Government offices and locations are closed until it is safe to reopen. St. Tammany Parish’s Emergency Operations Center will be fully operational with representatives answering phones from all partners and stakeholders. The phone number for the EOC is 985-898-2323.
The Tammany Trace, Bayou Lacombe Bridge, Camp Salmen, Northshore Beach and the Kids Connection Playground will remained closed until it is deemed safe for reopen.
Residents are asked to subscribe to Alert St. Tammany by clicking here, so you may receive emergency messages and alerts. Citizens are also encouraged to stay up-to-date and follow guidance from the National Weather Service and local media.
Parish President Mike Cooper was joined by St. Tammany Parish Council Chairman Mike Lorino, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Jeff Brady, Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer, Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal, St. Tammany Parish Fire District 1 Chief Chris Kaufmann, Mandeville Mayor Clay Madden, Covington Mayor Mark Johnson, St. Tammany Fire Protection District 4 PIO Jeremy Windom and St. Tammany Parish Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Operations Clarence Powe to provide essential information regarding Hurricane Ida.
President Cooper will provide another update on Sunday, August 29, 2021.