Mayor Barney Arceneaux declared a state of emergency on Saturday, August 22, due to the dual storms and their possibility of hurricane status that are threatening Louisiana. The declaration will be filed with the Clerk of Court’s office on Monday morning.
As of Sunday night, it appears that the impact on the Gonzales area for Marco is expected to be manageable, with wind speeds of less than 20 mph. The City of Gonzales plans to maintain normal operating hours Monday and Tuesday, including holding its regularly scheduled city council meeting Monday night at 5:30 pm. If weather conditions deteriorate, the city will announce any changes.
Residents are encouraged to take all normal precautions during a hurricane or tropical storm. Please review the preparedness guidelines published by the Ascension Office of Emergency Preparedness here: http://www.ascensionparish.net/departments/homeland-security/. Please secure all belongings subject to being moved by wind or water.
Predictions for Wednesday are still being made. Laura is being watched closely, as it is too soon to know her track with confidence. But the City if Gonzales is taking all precautions in advance of Marco., and will maintain our emergency response readiness throughout the week.
The City has been distributing prefilled sandbags to City residents who came to pick them up at the City maintenance facility located at 2919 S. Darla Ave. A driver’s license with a City of Gonzales address is required. Additionally, the City began delivering sandbags to the elderly or disabled. Residents who need assistance may call City Hall at (225) 647-2841 on Monday or Tuesday and request a delivery of up to 20 sandbags.
Mayor Arceneaux has placed all City personnel on 24 hour standby. We expect to start Monday normally. Police and fire personnel are prepared to double the numbers on duty, if required. High water vehicles are ready for action. The Louisiana National Guard is meeting with Mayor Arceneaux on Monday morning. All generators have been topped off. Additional efforts have been taken to ensure drainage has been cleared to help manage stormwater runoff. Barricades are ready to limit access to flooded streets, if that should happen. All parks and recreation facilities are closed. All loose materials and anything possibly blown by the wind have been secured.