Jan Wesner Childs and Ron Brackett
Voluntary evacuations were issued for parts of Jefferson Parish in Louisiana as Tropical Storm Marco and Tropical Storm Laura directly targeted the state.
The voluntary evacuation order applied specifically to the towns of Jean Lafitte, Lower Lafitte, Crown Point and Barataria and went into effect at 6 p.m. local time Saturday.
“We want to make sure residents are safe as these storms approach so we are taking all the necessary precautions to be fully prepared,” said Mayor Tim Kerner, Jr. “We are issuing this voluntary evacuation as an extra precaution to encourage citizens to move to an area of safety before the storms approach.”
The projected storm track for Marco shifted to the East throughout Saturday, putting nearly all of Louisiana in the cones of uncertainty for both Marco and Laura.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency Friday night, as the latest forecast cones for tropical storms Marco and Laura both had the state in their sights. Both storms could strengthen into hurricanes over the Gulf of Mexico.
"Louisiana is in a unique situation in that it is in the cone of two storms, which could impact different areas of the state in the coming days," Edwards said in a statement. "It is too soon to know exactly where, when or how these dual storms will affect Louisiana, but now is the time for our people to prepare for these storms."
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell declared a state of emergency Friday. The city's director of homeland security and emergency preparedness, Collin Arnold, said residents should have supplies on hand to shelter in place, nola.com reported.
That means having enough food, water and other supplies to last at least 72 hours, according to the state’s disaster preparedness website. Among the other items people are encouraged to have on hand in an emergency kit are flashlights, batteries and a first aid kit.
The flood-prone city said that 98 out of its 99 flood pumps were operational and the last one would be operational by Sunday, but warned residents that they should prepare for flooding because the system was "old and ... vulnerable to storm-related challenges."
Officials are also reminding residents to have coronavirus-related items ready to go, in case they need to leave their homes.
"It should not be lost on any Louisianan that in addition to twin tropical weather threats, we still have to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic," Edwards said in his statement. "It is critical that you include relevant supplies, including face masks and hand sanitizer, in your emergency kits. COVID-19 does not become less of a threat because of tropical weather."
Texas
Parts of Texas were also in both cones over the course of the last 48 hours.
Houston officials were prepared to open the George R. Brown Convention Center as a shelter if necessary.
"There are modifications to our weather plans because of the (coronavirus) pandemic to ensure distancing," the mayor's office tweeted. "If needed, George R. Brown will be a shelter. We may encourage you to shelter in place or shelter with family."
(MORE: Track Tropical Storms Marco and Laura)
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott advised residents to "remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and others from heavy rainfall and potential flooding."
The governor ordered high-water vehicles, boats, search and rescue teams and saw crews to prepare in case they are needed in any part of the state.
Crew from the Flood Protection Authority in Southeast Lousiana stage supplies for response efforts ahead of tropical storms Marco and Laura.(MORE: Two Hurricane or Tropical Storm U.S. Landfalls at Once Are Possible Next Week – How Unusual is That?)
Mississippi
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves also declared a state of emergency ahead of the storms. State officials said they are prepared to open more shelters than usual due to social distancing requirements and other coronavirus protocols.
The westward trend of Tropical Storm Laura's forecast Friday into Saturday took Florida mostly out of the forecast path, although the Florida Keys could still be swiped.
Officials in Monroe County, which encompasses the Keys, issued a mandatory evacuation of all live-aboard vessels, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, travel trailers and campers. All recreational vehicles must be removed by noon on Sunday.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
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