LAKE CHARLES, La. — The Calcasieu Parish Executive Policy Group held a press briefing on Monday to provide an update on the status of Hurricane Laura recovery efforts in Southwest Louisiana.
Several Calcasieu Parish officials said that 95% of roads in the parish have now been cleared and are traversable. They also announced that more supply sites are being opened, but that power and water may still take weeks to be fully restored.
If you live on a road that still needs clearing, call Calcasieu Parish Public Works at 337-721-3700.
Calcasieu Parish Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Dick Gremillion announced Monday that it was working with the Louisiana National Guard to open more points of distribution to hand out supplies for those affected by the storm.
The National Guard will be distributing food, water, ice (if available; supply is limited) and tarps to residents from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. at four new locations on Tuesday, Sept. 1:
- Vinton High School,
- Iowa Outlet Mall,
- Walmart Neighborhood market in Moss Bluff
- DeQuincy Railroad Museum.
These are in addition to the existing sites at the Lake Charles Civic Center and at McMurry Park, 300 Hazel St., Sulphur.
More sites are expected to be operational later this week.
The Red Cross also announced Monday that it has disaster supply and food sites at the following locations:
- McMurry Park, 300 S Hazel St., Sulphur;
- Huber Park, 2401 Fourth Ave., Lake Charles (replaces the Civic Center);
- 2000 Moeling St., Lake Charles;
- Market Basket on Third Avenue in Lake Charles
- 900 Horridge St. in Vinton. T
The Red Cross said they will provide items such as cots, mops, brooms, buckets, PPE, snacks and bottled water. Partnering with the Southern Baptists, Red Cross will also be providing two meals daily at these sites at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
For information, visit @ARCLouisiana on Twitter or Facebook.com/ARCLouisiana.
Officials said that water service has been restored for some residents in the parish. City of Lake Charles water service is still limited.
All residents in Calcasieu Parish - including within municipalities - who are experiencing water outages are being urged to turn off their water at the roadside water valves if they can safely do so. Please contact your water system provider should you suspect a leak or other damage to your water system.
Once water is restored, it is advised that residents adhere to a boil advisory until it is safe for those advisories to be lifted.
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso also advised residents to stay off the roads unless travel was absolutely necessary as traffic congestion could slow recovery efforts like work on power lines and debris removal.
He also reminded everyone on the road to follow the four-way stops that are now at each traffic light intersection that has lost power.
The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has issued a burn ban, effective Monday because of dangerous downed trees and limbs, dry weather conditions and damaged water systems. The ban prohibits all outdoor private burning of any kind but does not include prescribed burns.
The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury’s Animal Services and Adoption Center announced that only authorized personnel are permitted to provide animal rescue and sheltering for animals from Calcasieu Parish. Animals should not be transported out of the parish or an emergency pet shelter be established without authorization from the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. If you see an animal in distress, contact Animal Services at 337-853-9573.
FEMA Region 6 Director Tony Robinson also said that residents applying for FEMA relief should not be discouraged if they received a denial letter from them because their claim can be reviewed further after they provide information on home damage from their insurance company.
Robinson said that if someone has insurance for their property then their request for federal aid may be on pause. He said FEMA cannot duplicate insurance benefits, so they should turn their insurance information over to FEMA so that they can make eligibility determinations.
To register for FEMA federal disaster assistance, call 1-800-621-3362 or register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. If you have insurance, contact your adjuster and begin the insurance process. If you are denied, a reason is provided. Continue contacting FEMA and your insurer for assistance.
Waste Management is trying to get weekly trash routes up and running. If your trash container was lost or destroyed in the storm, call Waste Management to get a new one at 337-436-7229.
Officials said these press conferences will be held daily and can be viewed on the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury’s Facebook page and on the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury’s website.
You can watch the full press briefing from Monday below.
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