Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has just finished with a press conference with state and local government response to Hurricane Barry, which has just made landfall.
Edwards stressed that there has not been a single levee around Louisiana that has failed or been breached. Also, no levees along the Mississippi River have topped at this time.
However, there are two levees in Plaquemine Parish that have been over topped, but this was expected by local emergency officials and they have made efforts to bring water levels down.
In Terrebonne Parish, there is a section of levee that has been overtopped, but there is no current worry for home in the area to experience flooding.
The governor stated that all flood gates in and around New Orleans have been closed, as well as several other including ones around Morganza.
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson also spoke about the precautions taken for road closures and closing several movable bridges.
A full list of road and bridge closures, as well as alternate routes, can be found at 511LA.org.
Wilson also stated that his office has been in contact with the local trucking community in order to provide emergency response and storm resources. He stated that 27 para transit units have been activated around the state and will be made available as the storm event progresses. Drivers will be available to move people out of harm's way.
Wilson stated that DOTD had set up staging grounds in BabyCakes Field in New Orleans. They will prepare to move debris, identify overflowing manholes and other road hazards.
There are now 28 shelters open around the state. They have recorded 315 people staying in the shelters right now. Staging areas are being set up in Baton Rouge and Lafayette for more shelter operations.
Shelter information can be found by texting LAShelter to 898211 or calling 211.
The National Guard has been deployed and are focusing on some ongoing missions focusing on search and rescue in the storm's aftermath. They will also coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to move commodities like food and water.
They are also looking forward to Central and North Louisiana as the storm moves onward.
