Some parish-level officials are recommending that residents of certain areas consider evacuation.
UPDATE: Current forecasts regarding Francine support the decision of Cameron Parish OHSEP to release the entire parish from the Mandatory Order of Evacuation as of 12:00PM on September 11, 2024.
There are no road closures or roadblocks. We will advise the public as soon as the Cameron Ferry and Grand Lake pontoon bridge are back in operation.
Please keep in mind that we are still under a Tropical Storm Force Warning and the coastal areas of Cameron Parish are still under a Coastal Flood Advisory. Stay safe.
Here are the recommended evacuation statements from Acadiana parishes:
IBERIA PARISH
Iberia Parish officials are recommending that all residents south of US 90 consider evaucation. Iberia Parish is currently facing the threat of high winds, heavy rains, storm surges and flooding because of a significant weather system (Tropical Storm Francine) currently located in the Gulf of Mexico, Parish President Larry Richard says, and that's why he issued an Emergency Declaration on Monday.
"After consultation with representatives of the National Weather Service, the Iberia Parish Office Of Emergency Preparedness, our local emergency preparedness partners and other similar agencies, I AM RECOMMENDING THAT ALL RESIDENTS OF IBERIA PARISH LIVING SOUTH OF U.S. HIGHWAY 90 CONSIDER VOLUNTARILY EVACUATING STARTING AT 8:00 PM, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2024," Richard says in a release issued Monday.
The following persons residing in Iberia Parish should also strongly consider evacuating:
· Anyone living in areas vulnerable to potential storm surges;
· Anyone having special needs;
· Anyone living in low-lying areas along lakes, bayous, streams and drainage structures that have experienced flooding in the past; and
· Anyone living in a structure that has experienced flooding following heavy rain events.
"I am urging all our residents to check their emergency supplies, create a protective plan of action for their families and pets and continue to monitor Iberia PINS (Parish Information Notification System), also Iberia Parish Government Web site and Face Book. You can also monitor our local news media for further weather updates. Those residents that wish to evacuate should begin that process immediately. Residents who choose to remain may find themselves without power and unable to leave the area until floodwaters recede and storm debris is removed," he says.
ST. MARTIN PARISH
Due to the impending threat of Hurricane Francine, St. Martin Parish President Pete Delcambre has issued a voluntary evacuation for residents of Lower St. Martin Parish (Stephensville/Belle River) effective immediately due to the possible threat of high water as a result of Hurricane Francine. A voluntary evacuation is encouraged for the safety of residents in these low-lying areas. During a voluntary evacuation, it is your choice to move from an area of danger to an area of safety. There is a chance that flood waters could render you unable to leave your home. The storm surge for Lower St. Martin Parish is expected to be five to ten feet. Should you decide to stay, please make sure that you have enough provisions to hold you over until flood waters recede.
Here's some information from state insurance officials about what your homeowner's policy might cover:
As homeowners evacuate or consider evacuating due to Hurricane Francine, it is important that policyholders who have a homeowners policy with Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage understands what ALE covers and when it may take effect.
ALE coverage pays for additional living expenses like hotel stays and food while your home is inaccessible following a covered property loss. Policyholders who have ALE coverage and live in an area that is placed under a mandatory evacuation may be eligible for short-term ALE coverage for up to 14 days while the policyholder is prohibited from returning to their home.
If no mandatory evacuation is declared, policyholders with ALE coverage may still be eligible for these expenses depending on the terms of their policy, the accessibility of their property and several other factors.
“It is vitally important for policyholders to understand what their policy covers and does not cover,” Commissioner Tim Temple said. “If you are not sure whether you have ALE coverage that would be triggered by evacuating due to Hurricane Francine, I urge you to contact your insurance agent or company immediately.”
ALE coverage is not provided in all homeowners insurance policies, and some policies contain different terms that must be met to receive a payment under the policy. If a policyholder does have ALE coverage, they should keep receipts for all expenses that could be reimbursed through ALE including, but not limited to, hotel receipts, meal receipts and more.
For more information, visit our website [u5728648.ct.sendgrid.net] or call 1-800-259-5300. You can also download the new LDIConnect app, which provides easy access to resources like our Storm Claim Center and Consumer Services contact information, in the App Store [u5728648.ct.sendgrid.net] and Google Play [u5728648.ct.sendgrid.net].
