St. Mary Parish officials say Storm Francine evacuees should consider timing, drive route

ST. MARY PARISH, La. ( KLFY ) — Saint Mary officials are urging the public to prepare for the upcoming impacts of Tropical Storm Francine.

With south Louisiana under hurricane and tropical storm watches, the time to prepare is now.

Sandbags are being offered at separate locations throughout the parish.

Tre Gibson, an equipment manager at the St. Mary Parish maintenance facility, advises residents to leave now, if evacuating, to avoid traffic.

“If you don’t want to be stuck in traffic, leaving beforehand, it gives you a chance to get out, have everything situated for if the hurricane does hit and affects your house, you won’t be at your house,” Gibson said.

The St. Mary Parish Council said they are closely monitoring where the storm could potentially make landfall.

Jimmy Broussard, with the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said if you plan to stay in your homes, make sure you have enough clean water and food.

“Keep you a supply of fresh water available, food, that would be another one, remove any loose objects out in the yard that could blow,” Broussard said.

Broussard said residents should avoid boating for now, as storm surges from Francine will be high.

For those who want to evacuate, the safest route is to take Highway 90 out of the parish, according to officials.

With only two days until the storm is anticipated to make landfall, St. Mary Parish Parish President Sam Jones said the council is preparing for the worst.

“People work hard here, they are conscious of where they are and what they do and they do a good job, hopefully this one won’t be that, but we’re watching,” Jones said.

Officials advise residents to begin evacuating now before the storm approaches.

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