PRESIDENT COOPER PROVIDES HURRICANE IDA UPDATE

ST. TAMMANY, LA. – St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper provides significant information and updates regarding Hurricane Ida.

“The impacts of Hurricane Ida will be felt shortly in St. Tammany Parish,” said President Mike Cooper. “Now is the time to follow your plan, get to your safe location and stay off the streets until we know it is safe.  The Emergency Operations Center has been fully staffed by Parish emergency personnel since 7 p.m. Saturday and we are prepared to aid all of our citizens at this time.”

Cooper signed an Executive Order declaring a Parish-wide curfew, including all municipalities, effective today at Noon.  The curfew will remain in effect until Hurricane Ida has passed and a new Executive Order is enacted to lift the restrictions.

Hurricane Ida made landfall as a Category 4.  St. Tammany Parish is expecting 70-80 mph winds and wind gusts as high as 100-110 mph, in addition to 10 inches of rain or more. All citizens, especially those who live near coastal or river communities, should monitor water levels.

Local roadways are expected to be impassable, due to high water and downed trees.  St. Tammany Parish has already received reports of more than 7,500 citizens without power and many more are expected to lose power as the storm progresses. Residents should expect to be without power for several days.

All St. Tammany Parish Government offices and locations are closed until it is safe to reopen. St. Tammany Parish’s Emergency Operations Center is fully operational with representatives answering phones from all partners and stakeholders.  The phone number for the EOC if you need assistance is 985-898-2323.  For storm updates call 985-898-2300.  If you have an emergency, call 911.

When using a generator, it is critical to your safety to do so correctly.  The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide, electrocution, and fire. For directions on how to properly use your generator look to the manufacturer’s instructions or visit energy.gov.

Shelters, of last resort, are open to the public:

• Creekside Jr. High – General Population / Electrically Dependent Shelter
  • Shelter requirements:
    • Must require electricity to sustain life.
    • Must have one caregiver 18 years or older (only one will be allowed) to accompany.
    • Must bring own linen and bedding, food and water, and medicines.
       
• Lee Road Jr. High – General Population
  • Shelter requirements:
    • Must bring own linen and bedding, food and water, and medicines.

The Tammany Trace, Bayou Lacombe Bridge, Camp Salmen, Northshore Beach and the Kids Connection Playground are closed and will remained closed until it is deemed safe for reopen.

Residents are asked to subscribe to Alert St. Tammany by going to www.stpgov.org/alert, 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 addressed the media along with St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith and St. Tammany Parish Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Clarence Powe providing essential updates regarding Hurricane Ida.

St. Tammany Parish Government will continue to put out information throughout the duration of the storm and a live update can be expected after Hurricane Ida has passed.

Monitor local media, St. Tammany Parish social media channels and STPGOV.org.