Tropical Storm Francine Information

Sandbagging operations will close at 12pm (noon) Sept. 10th at all locations.
For a list of sandbag locations, visit calcasieu.gov/sandbags.

Sept 10, 2024 10:30am UPDATE:

Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Anthony Bartie issued a statement today on sheltering, particularly for the unhoused population, on behalf of the Calcasieu Parish Executive Policy Group.

“Over the last 48 hours, cities and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury have been working with multiple non-profits to provide temporary shelter for those who may need it throughout the duration of Francine. The Sulphur Christian Community Coalition in Sulphur is welcoming men and women. Salvation Army in Lake Charles is welcoming men. Anyone needing transportation to one of these locations or assistance with temporary shelter during Francine should dial 211.”

Bartie issued the statement at the Executive Policy Group’s public briefing today.

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.

Unless weather forecasts and conditions change, the Executive Policy Group does not plan for further public briefings during the weather event.

All Calcasieu Parish Police Jury departments will be closed Sept. 10-11 due to the storm. Offices are scheduled to reopen Thursday, Sept 12, depending on conditions.

Waste Management services will be suspended on Wednesday and run one day behind. Call Waste Management at 337-436-7229 with any questions or visit wm.com/alerts for updates.

Parish Transit buses will not be in operation on Sept. 10-11. The Animal Services and Adoption Center will be closed and there will be no animal intakes during those days.

The Solid Waste Convenience Centers, located at 5500 B Swift Plant Road in Lake Charles and at 2915 Post Oak Road in Sulphur, will also be closed today and Wednesday. They are scheduled to reopen on Thursday, Sept. 12.

Sept 9, 2024 4:30pm UPDATE:

The Calcasieu Parish Executive Policy Group will conduct a public briefing at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept 10, in the Calcasieu Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness office at 901 Lakeshore Dr. (2^nd floor) in Lake Charles, to update the public on Tropical Storm Francine. The briefing will be livestreamed on the C-GOV channel and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury’s Facebook page. 

All Calcasieu Parish Police Jury departments will be closed Sept. 10-11 due to the storm. Offices are scheduled to reopen Thursday, Sept. 12, depending on conditions. 

Currently, there will be no change in the Waste Management pickup schedule. Call Waste Management at 337-436-7229 with any questions or visit wm.com/alerts for updates. 

Parish Transit buses will not be in operation on Sept. 10-11. The Animal Services and Adoption Center will be closed and there will be no animal intakes during those days. 

The Solid Waste Convenience Centers, located at 5500 B Swift Plant Road in Lake Charles and at 2915 Post Oak Road in Sulphur, will also be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. They are scheduled to reopen on Thursday, Sept. 12

Sept. 9, 2024:

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 Solid Waste Convenience Centers to prepare for the potential weather event.