Press Release - Important Message From Parish President Concerning Hurricane Zeta

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller 
(985) 748-3211

AMITE—In response to the need created by the approach of Hurricane Zeta, Parish President Robby Miller announced this morning that Tangipahoa Parish will open two last resort evacuation shelters today. 

“With this dangerous storm approaching, we simply will not stand by and fail to protect our most vulnerable residents,” Miller said, adding that these evacuation shelters are truly a “last resort” for those without other friends or family who can take them in right now. 

The evacuation sites will adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols, including having all occupants wear PPE while under roof. 

“We are not only trying to protect residents from the extreme weather conditions but also from this novelcorona virus,” Miller said. “That is why we are asking residents to only utilize the evacuation shelters as a final resort. If there is anyone else you can bunk with to ride out the storm, it is preferable you do so without having to come to a shelter.”

All evacuees must bring their own blankets and pillows, toiletries, medicines, and enough food for at least 48 hours. Comfort items will not be provided, and cots will only be distributed for the elderly and those who are pregnant. 

Shelter sites will open at noon today at the following locations:

—Hammond Westside Montessori School, located at 2600 PFC Matthew Wildes Street in Hammond, and 
—Kentwood High Magnet School, located at 603 9th Street in Kentwood. 

Miller said he will put the parish Emergency Operations Center on full activation starting at noon today. At that time, Tangipahoa Parish Government offices will close and all storm-related inquiries will be handled by the EOC.

In addition, the parish has opened self-service sandbag stations at the following locations: 

—8th Ward Fire Department on LA 445, 

—8th Ward Fire Station on LA 22 in Bedico,

—Ponchatoulap East Station 4 at the corner of Sandhill Cemetery Road and LA 22,

—Ponchatoula West Station 3 on the corner of Morgan Drive and LA 22, 

—Husser Fire Station on LA 445,

—Natalbany Fire on LA 1064,

—Baptist Fire Station, 

—Wilmer Fire Station,

—Independence Fire Station,

—Loranger Fire Station, and 

—Kentwood Volunteer Fire Station on LA 38 East.

Residents will need to bring their own shovel to fill the sandbags at the self-serve sites.

“We encourage anyone who has had an issue with flash flooding or flooding following extended rain events to please come out and pick up sandbags,” Miller said.

Miller encouraged residents to stay tuned to local media and the TPG website, www.Tangipahoa.org, as well as the parish’s social media channels for weather-related updates. 

For more information on storm preparations in Tangipahoa Parish, stay tuned to Tangipahoa.org and the Tangipahoa Parish Government social media channels.