Governor’s Update on Hurricane Ike

Governor Jindal said, “I am encouraging everyone listening and watching this in coastal Louisiana, especially in these low-lying areas, to evacuate immediately. Get out of harm’s way. Do not think that because you have made it through other hurricanes you will be safe where you are. Every storm is different. This is a very large storm, and the southeast part of our state is already experiencing many feet of tidal surge. This storm will continue to work its way westward along our cost throughout today and into this evening. We have already had tornado watches issued for our coastal area, and the threat of rising tidal surge could be the most dangerous aspect of this storm. Heed the warnings. It is not too late to leave, but that time is quickly approaching. Please don’t wait. Act now to protect your own life and the safety of your family.”

Governor Jindal spoke about the threat of tidal surge along coastal Louisiana, and reported that the National Hurricane Center expects tidal surge to reach up to 19 feet in Sabine Pass, 16 feet in Cameron Parish, 10 to 11 feet of water in Vermillion Parish, and 6 to 7 feet in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes – where water is currently continuing to rise. The Governor said meteorologists are also now predicting 5 to 10 inches of rain in Lake Charles, and 3 to 5 inches of rain along western Louisiana.

The Governor warned residents about the size and the force of Hurricane Ike, cautioning that experts have reported that they expect Baton Rouge to experience intermittent high wind gusts (tropical storm strength) for 8 to 12 hours, New Orleans for 6 hours, the Houma, Morgan City, and Lafayette areas will experience these gusts from 12 to 16 hours. Lake Charles will experience category 1 winds for up to four hours, during strong wind gusts from 15 to 20 hours.