PROCLAMATION NUMBER 111 JBE 2016

STATE OF EMERGENCY – HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING

WHEREAS, the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721, et seq., confers upon the Governor of the State of Louisiana emergency powers to deal with emergencies and disasters, including those caused by fire, flood, earthquake or other natural or manmade causes, in order to ensure that preparations of this State will be adequate to deal with such emergencies or disasters and to preserve the lives and property of the people of the State of Louisiana;

WHEREAS, when the Governor determines that a disaster or emergency has occurred, or the threat thereof is imminent, La. R.S. 29:724(B)(1) empowers the Governor to declare a state of emergency by executive order or proclamation, or both;

WHEREAS, a flash flood watch is in effect for all of southeastern Louisiana until at least Saturday morning, with rainfall accumulations of seven to ten inches likely, with some areas expected to receive more;

WHEREAS, this weather event has resulted in school, road and/or state office closures in the following parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Livingston, St. Helena, St. James, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington, Lafayette, St. Martin and West Baton Rouge, with ongoing reports of additional parishes affected or expected to be affected; and

WHEREAS, the  severe  weather  is  expected  to  continue  and  the  State  anticipates assistance will be needed for parishes to respond to this continuing threat.

NOW THEREFORE, I, JOHN BEL EDWARDS, Governor of the State of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: Pursuant to the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721 et seq., a state of emergency is hereby declared to exist statewide as a result of this event, the effects of which continue to threaten the lives and property of the citizens of the State.

SECTION 2: The  Director  of  the  Governor’s  Office  of  Homeland  Security  and Emergency Preparedness is hereby authorized to undertake any activity authorized by law which he deems appropriate in response to this declaration.

 SECTION 3: All departments, commissions, boards, agencies and officers of the State, or any political subdivision thereof, are authorized and directed to cooperate in actions the State may take in response to the effects of this severe weather event.

SECTION 4: This order is effective upon signature and shall remain in effect from Friday, August 12, 2016 until Saturday, September 10, 2016 unless terminated sooner.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of Louisiana,  at  the  Capitol,  in  the  City  of  Baton Rouge, on this 12th day of August, 2016.

Signed,

John Bel Edwards
Governor of Louisiana