“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”

The Tangi Parish Homeland Security and Prepardedness will be issuing a PRESS RELEASE ... today.

CALL 985-748-3211 for more information

CLICK HERE for LATEST STORM TRACK.

Press Release for Immediate Publication
Friday August 30, 2008 8:30 a.m.

    The Tangipahoa Emergency Operations Center is currently tracking Hurricane Gustav and making preparations for a potential impact of rain, wind, and flooding of low lying areas Monday morning. Tangipahoa Parish President Gordon Burgess signed a declaration of emergency effective 8:00 am Thursday, August 29th. The Parish EOC is working in cooperation and consultation of all state and local agencies.

    In anticipation of this storm:

     (1) A Special needs shelter has opened at the Southeastern Louisiana University Kinesiology Building as of 8am this morning. Anyone needing special needs sheltering should call 866 280 7724.

    (2) Hurricane Gustav is predicted to be a large storm possibly as high as a Category 4 Hurricane prior to making landfall. The current track puts Tangipahoa on the Eastern side of the eye wall. Residents should expect the potential for hurricane force winds, a significant storm surge, heavy rains, flooding in low lying areas, and extensive power outages. Residents choosing to stay in Tangipahoa Parish should make preparations for at least 72 hours of self sufficiency regarding food, water, and medications.

    (3) Tangipahoa Parish is recommending all citizens living in travel trailers, mobile homes or in low lying areas make preparations to evacuate. Anyone planning to evacuate to a shelter should bring food, water, medication, bedding, and any other items needed. The shelters are only able to provide housing. Please monitor local media for upcoming announcements regarding evacuations, shelter openings, and office/school closures for Tangipahoa Parish.

    (4) Any Tangipahoa residents which will need transportation assistance in order to evacuate should call 985 748 3211 immediately to make arrangements their evacuation. It is currently anticipated that transportation assisted evacuation will begin on Sunday August 31st.

    (5) We continue to encourage all citizens to make final preparations. This includes checking on the elderly, disabled, and other neighbors that may need assistance.

    (6) Please do not wait until the last minute, keeping in mind that Tangipahoa Parish will serve as a major evacuation route for most of southeastern Louisiana. Should Contra-flow be deemed necessary by Governor Jindal, I-55 from I-12 to the Mississippi line will be closed to southbound traffic beginning at 6am on Sunday.

    (7) Sand Bag Distribution Information:

• Sand bags are now available in all municipalities and at the parish yards in Hammond at Pleasant Ridge (345-9466) and at Roseland (748-5759) yards.



• Parish yards are scheduled to be open 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (weather permitting).



• The Town of Amite will be distributing sand bags Saturday from
  8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (limit of 10 per household) at the Amite City Barn on North Street 748-8488.



• City of Hammond will be distributing sand bags Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Hwy 190 E Maintenance Facility.



• Updates at www.hammond.org



• Hammond Police Department at 985-277-5700



• Hammond Fire Department at 985-277-5884



• Self Service (bring your own shovel) sand and bags are also available to be at the 8th Ward Fire Station in Robert.