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MENARD - EVACUATE ALL LOW-LYING AREAS
September 23, 2005 - Although St. Landry Parish is not under a mandatory evacuation plan as of today, Parish President Don Menard urges the evacuation of citizens who live in low-lying areas of the parish, who live in mobile homes, who have special needs, whose medical or other needs must have electricity and whose health makes it difficult for them to endure heat or other environmental issues caused by the possible loss of power, water and sewage systems.
Residents are advised to travel north. There is a shelter information checkpoint at Sammy's Truck Stop in Bunkie at Exit 53 on Interstate 49.
According to St. Landry Parish Public Works Director Tim Marks, the lowest lying area of the parish that is prone to flooding is on the east side of the Beau Chene area around Arnaudville and Grand Coteau. The area drains into Bayou Fuselier, which drains into the Vermillion River, which traditionally backs up during heavy rain storms, he said.