Emergency Preparedness

Gov. John Bel Edwards on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in advance of Hurricane Delta, which is forecast to make landfall in South Louisiana on Friday or Saturday.

Due to inclement weather in southwest Louisiana this morning, the Region 5 Office of Public Health is canceling emergency vaccines at the Calcasieu Parish Health Unit today. COVID-19 testing will be delayed until noon.

Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency in advance of Tropical Storm Beta, which could impact Louisiana in the coming days, allowing the state to assist local governments with their response needs.

Considering the substantial impacts and effects of multiple tropical storms/hurricanes on the residents of Louisiana, and the need to coordinate care, services, treatment, and placement for evacuees, Louisiana will allow for the following current relief to ICF/DDs:

The toll-free line is 888-599-1073 and is staffed during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. The hotline is provided in partnership by the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Cancer Prevention & Control Programs (LCP).

Gov. John Bel Edwards on Saturday declared a State of Emergency in advance of Tropical Storm Sally, which is forecast to strengthen to a hurricane that could impact Louisiana as early as Monday morning. Already, the National Weather Service has issued hurricane and tropical storm watches for areas of Southeast Louisiana.

Mobile testing for COVID-19 and vaccines for tetanus, hepatitis A and hepatitis B will be available to Hurricane Laura evacuees from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, September 14 through Friday, September 18 at the Calcasieu Parish Health Unit, 3236 Kirkman St., Lake Charles.

Mobile testing for COVID-19 and vaccines for tetanus, hepatitis A and hepatitis B will be available to Hurricane Laura evacuees in Lafayette from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Lafayette Parish Health Unit.

Kelly Smith spends her days working as a transition coordinator with the Office of Behavioral Health. In her off hours, she is a maestro of masks. Since March, she has sewn and donated nearly 4,700 handmade cloth masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

A 58-year-old female in Rapides Parish died of a heat-related illness while inside a trailer with no electricity or air conditioning. The coroner has confirmed this death is storm related.