Terrebonne Parish Tropical Storm Gordon Update - Tuesday Morning

Here is an update on the preparations of Terrebonne Parish for Tropical Storm Gordon:

The Terrebonne Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (TOHSEP) has been partially activated and is continuing to monitor Tropical Storm Gordon.

Parish President Gordon Dove signed a declaration of emergency Monday at noon. The declaration of emergency gives Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government authority to conduct certain emergency governmental operations outside of normal protocols.

All Terrebonne Parish public schools and Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government offices are open today with regular business hours.

The public works department has been inspecting all drainage pumps and drainage ditches to insure that the pumps can operate at maximum capacity. All pumps within the parish are operational at this time. We have also placed 13 self-service sand bag locations throughout the parish for residents who wish to have sand bags in preparation of Tropical Storm Gordon. A list of these locations are available on the parish website, tpcg.org.  Residents are urged to bring their own shovel to fill sand bags. Elderly and handicapped residents can get assistance with pre-filled sand bags at the parish barn located in east Houma at 1860 Grand Caillou Road (next to Shannon Hardware). The parish has provided enough sand for resident to fill approximately 80,000 sand bags and will replenish sand stockpiles as needed.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Jerry Larpenter has provided inmate labor to assist the Parish with sand bag operations.

All TPCG departments are implementing their tropical storm plans as needed to prepare for Tropical Storm Gordon.

The Terrebonne Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness conducted a meeting of all TPCG departments along with all other local and state governmental agencies on Monday afternoon to discuss each department and agencies preparation for Tropical Storm Gordon. Another meeting will be held today (Tuesday, Sept 4) at 1PM to discuss future emergency operations.

The Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District (TLCD) began monitoring water levels and tides beginning this past Labor Day weekend. TLCD continues to monitor water and tide conditions and will open and close floodgates as needed to prevent tidal flooding inside of the Morganza to the Gulf levee system. For updates on floodgate openings and closures, please go to the TLCD website at tlcd.org and click on the Terrebonne Floodgate Mate button.

Tropical Storm Gordon is forecast to become a Category 1 hurricane with landfall predicted for the Mississippi coastline. Impacts are expected to begin this afternoon and continue through at least Wednesday morning. According the to the National Hurricane Center, Terrebonne Parish has a 5 to 10 percent chance of tropical storm force winds (39 MPH or greater). Onset of tropical storm force winds could begin as early as 2pm this afternoon along the coastline and progressing inland through the afternoon. However, the most likely time of onset during the evening hours at the coast, progressing inland through the late evening and overnight. The coastal areas of Terrebonne Parish outside of the TLCD Morganza to the Gulf levee system could see a storm surge of 1 to 2 feet. Rainfall estimates are 1 to 2 inches for next three days. The threat for heavy rainfall is forecast mainly for coastal Mississippi and adjacent Louisiana parishes.

Residents are encouraged to clean around their storm drains near their homes and business to assist with getting water to nearby drainage ditches. If you observe any drainage obstructions, please contact the public works department at 985-873-6735.

Residents should also secure any objects in their yard or place of business that may blow away from strong winds.

For up to date information, please visit the Terrebonne Parish website at tpcg.org, the Terrebonne Parish Government Facebook page (@tpcg.org), the TOHSEP Facebook page (@TerrebonneParishOHSEP) or on Twitter (@TOHSEP).

Terrebonne Parish storm preparation updates will be provide as they become available.