Jefferson Parish has declared a State of Emergency in advance of the effects of Tropical Storm Isaac, the parish said in a press release.
Parish President John Young signed the emergency declaration earlier this afternoon, and the parish's Emergency Management office will be closely monitoring the storm, the parish said.
All pump stations requiring manning will be fully staffed for the duration of the storm and its aftermath.
The parish is advising all citizens to prepare their families, homes and property for the storm, and is advising residents in low-lying coastal areas outside levee protection to pay close attention to news reports in the event storm surge levels warrant emergency measures or evacuations. Those communities include Lafitte, Barataria, Crown Point, and others at risk.
Grand Isle is already under a state of mandatory evacuation, with all residents required to leave the community by 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.
Additionally, Jefferson Parish advises that the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority–West (SLFPA-W) will begin closing non-essential flood gates on the West Bank in anticipation of strong southerly winds and high tides associated with the storm. The Flood Authority is working with the Army Corps of Engineers to enact additional closures as the storm progresses.
Jefferson Parish is requesting citizens help in the flood mitigation efforts by clearing debris from streets, drains and catch basins around their property, and will dispatch crews to barricade flooded streets as necessary.
Also, motorists are reminded that parish ordinances prohibit vehicles from traveling on flooded streets, due to the increased risk of structure damage due to the wakes vehicles leave behind.
