10:30 a.m. Though the rain is not yet stronger than a powerful thunderstorm and the wind is whispering softly outside, East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden warned residents in a news conference Tuesday morning not to be fooled.
“Every precaution that you can implement to save the lives of yourself and your families should be implemented until we say the coast is clear,” Holden said.
The Mayor-President said 12 to 15 inches of rainfall are expected, but more than 15 inches could amass. Local rivers are also a flooding concern as water rises on Lake Pontchartrain, he said.
Nobody aside from emergency personnel should drive right now, he said. No curfew is in effect, but Holden promised residents they would be the “first to know” if a curfew is called.
More than 174,000 sandbags were distributed Tuesday, but sand delivery has been suspended now, he said.
As many power outages plague the city, Holden said his office is working with Entergy, DEMCO and Cox to restore power as soon as possible.
“We stand united in making sure that people of East Baton Rouge Parish are taken care of, that they are safe,” he said.
The next news conference will occur at 2 p.m.
—- Contact Andrea Gallo at [email protected]
Mayor-President warns residents to brace for 12-15 inches of rain
August 28, 2012