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Caddo Parish prepares for Tropical Storms Marco and Laura

Monday, August 24, 2020
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Caddo Parish leaders met today to discuss the impact that Tropical Storms Marco and Laura could have on our area.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport briefed Caddo Director of Homeland Security/Sheriff Steve Prator, Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins, and Caddo Parish Administrator Woodrow Wilson on anticipated weather activity. The NWS said Marco is weakening quickly and should not have any significant impact on Caddo Parish. Showers and thunderstorms could arrive here on Tuesday. Laura is expected to make landfall as a hurricane late Wednesday or early Thursday somewhere in southeast Texas to south central Louisiana. Our area could experience tornadoes, high winds, and flash flooding as early as Wednesday and continuing through Thursday.

There are currently no plans to open Red Cross shelters in Caddo Parish for south Louisiana residents; however, Prator said if shelters are requested the job can be quickly accomplished. A state voucher system for residents to obtain hotel rooms if displaced by the hurricane can also be implemented and would help protect residents as we continue to fight the spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana.

Prator announced the state and LA National Guard provided 26,000 sandbags for Caddo Parish. These will be distributed through the Caddo Parish Commission and City of Shreveport.

Sandbags

  • The Caddo Parish Commission will have sandbags available at 1701 Monty Street from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, August 25. The City of Shreveport will provide sandbags during the same hours beginning tomorrow at 1935 Claiborne Ave. Each location has a limit of 25 sandbags per vehicle. There may be a wait while stock piles are replinished.

City of Shreveport

  • The City is monitoring Cross Lake and is prepared to open the gates in case of flooding. SPD Cross Lake Patrol is monitoring the situation. Public Works is ready for removal of any downed trees due to storms.
  • Five members of the Shreveport Fire Department were deployed to Lafayette to provide water rescue assistance if needed. Personnel includes one rescue manager, three rescue technicians, and one incident support team member who will be assigned to the Command Post. The five SFD personnel join members from the LA Task Force Three Urban Search and Rescue Team.

Caddo Sheriff’s Office

  • Caddo Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association Task Force have also prepared their gear and are awaiting call up to assist in south Louisiana. Five deputies will assist with rescue operations if needed. Their equipment includes a high-water rescue vehicle, Zodiac boat, and shallow-water jon boat.
  • The Caddo Sheriff’s Marine Patrol is equipped and prepared to answer calls locally and will be monitoring area lakes, waterways, and flash flood zones. No flooding of the Red River is anticipated at this time.

For updates as they become available, visit the websites or Facebook pages of the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, City of Shreveport, or Parish of Caddo.

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