Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Anthony Bartie has issued an emergency declaration ahead of Tropical Storm Francine. The declaration means emergency plans have been activated. It is in response to National Weather Service forecasts and after consulting with the Executive Policy Group, which met this morning.

The storm is expected to make landfall on the Louisiana Coast Wednesday afternoon or evening, likely as a Category 1 Hurricane. At a public briefing this morning, Calcasieu Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Jared Maze advised residents to monitor the forecast as conditions may change. Maze asked residents in low-lying areas and mobile homes to prepare to seek refuge in safe spaces if needed.

The Executive Policy Group consists of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, mayors of all Municipalities in the Parish (DeQuincy, Iowa, Lake Charles, Sulphur, Vinton, Westlake), and the
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff, with the Calcasieu Parish School superintendent serving as an adviser. The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has opened sandbag locations throughout the parish. Locations
include:

Sandbagging Machine locations, with CPPJ personnel on-site:

•  Former Old Tyme Variety Store location – 810 Ruth St., Sulphur (sandbagging machine
  available)
•  Public Works East – 5500-B Swift Plant Road, Lake Charles. (sandbagging machine
  available).

Self-bagging locations include:

• Ward 1 Barn – 461 Parish Road, Moss Bluff
• Ward 2 Barn – 7085 LA 14 East, Hayes
• Ward 3 Old Barn – 2302 Smith Road, Lake Charles
• Ward 5 Barn – 129 Third St., Starks
• Ward 6 Barn – 1275 Plum St., DeQuincy
• Ward 8 Barn – 1726 Parish Barn Road, Iowa.
• Iowa City Hall – 115 N Thompson Ave., Iowa (baseball field)
• Vinton Public Works Yard – 1320 Hampton St., Vinton
• 2000 Carlin Drive – Westlake.

Sand and bags are provided, but residents must bring their own shovels and fill their own bags. No other outside equipment will be allowed on sandbagging sites. If lines are long, please limit
sandbags to 15 per person. Residents can get back in line multiple times. Parish staff will be on site to maintain safety operations and supplies. Additionally, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury will close the Residential