Gov. Edwards requests federal emergency declaration before tropical storms make landfall

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards speaks to reporters at a briefing on the state’s efforts against the coronavirus pandemic in Baton Rouge, La., Monday, May 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

BATON ROUGE, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards requested a federal emergency declaration from the White House Saturday as Tropical Storms Marco and Laura are forecast to impact Louisiana in a quick sequence early next week.

According to the Governor’s office, Gov. Edwards declared a state of emergency in Louisiana Friday and began hosting meetings of the state’s Unified Command Group and receiving daily briefings on the two storms. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has activated its Emergency Operations Center to monitor the storm and will switch to 24-hour operations beginning tomorrow.

So far, 14 parishes have issued parish emergency declarations, five parishes are in the process of completing their emergency declarations, and more are anticipated over the next 24 to 48 hours. This allows GOHSEP to coordinate assistance to these parishes. Louisiana State Police, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, the Department of Transportation and Development, and other state agencies are activated and preparing in anticipation of the storms’ impact on Louisiana. The Governor will begin media briefings about the storms tomorrow morning.

“In the past 24 hours, the tracks of these two storms have changed dramatically and in a way that is unfavorable for our state,” Gov. Edwards said.

This is unlike anything we have seen, with two hurricanes expected to impact our state nearly back to back. This may mean that people will have to shelter in place for more than 72 hours and that there may not be time to do things like restore lost power between the two storms. I encourage everyone to begin their emergency preparations now, as some areas of the state may be impacted by two storms. You should be heeding the advice of your local officials, and it is incredibly important that you take precautions to account for COVID-19, including having masks and sanitation supplies if you do leave your home. If you shelter in place, you should only do so with your immediate household to continue to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the state.”

GOHSEP provides preparedness advice on its GetAGameplan.org website. People should check their emergency supplies and remember to include any items needed to sustain each family member for at least three days, if not five, days.

The Governor’s office will share updates about potential severe weather and COVID-19 through its texting system. People may opt-in by texting LAGOV to 67283 and sign up for phone calls by going to Smart911.

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LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — Late Saturday, Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory released the following statement on the officer-involved shooting late Friday that led to a protest march and rally on Saturday.

« An armed individual was shot and killed by Lafayette police officers after an extended pursuit, numerous efforts to de-escalate the situation, and multiple tries to subdue the knife-wielding suspect through the use of tasers.

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) A crowd gathered Saturday evening at the scene where a young man was shot and killed by Lafayette police. 

The gathering happened in the parking lot of the Shell gas station on the Evangeline Thruway at Chalmette Drive on Lafayette’s north side, less than 24 hours after a man who’s been identified by police as 31-year-old Trayford Pellerin, was gunned down.

BOSSIER CITY, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A woman is dead and a Fort Worth, Texas man is behind bars charged with her murder after an overnight shooting at a Bossier City Casino Hotel.

Garrett Michael Benson, 24, was arrested by Bossier City Police detectives, following an early- morning investigation into the fatal shooting at Margaritaville Resort Casino Hotel.

SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com