St. Charles Parish Sheriff Update Aug. 31

August 31, 2008
For additional information contact Captain Patrick Yoes.

Gustav Update Sunday August 31st

We are preparing to hunker down later this evening until the storm arrives. We will patrol the streets until conditions become too dangerous for us to be on the roads.

The latest word we have is that the storm will make landfall about 20 miles west of Grand Isle on a Northwest path. Naturally, this could change in either direction somewhat.

This tract will cause substantial storm surge in the Barataria Basin in which the west bank of St. Charles Parish is located.

Computer models predict a best case scenario of 7 foot storm surge on the west bank in the event of a category 3 storm. A category 4 storm will seriously impact us with an 11 to 13 foot storm surge. Unfortunately many residents on the East Bank has chosen to ride out the storm despite predictions of a possible category 4 storm which have a high probability of challenging the EB protection levee.

9 to 10 inches of rain are predicted in SCP.

Last night we evacuated our jail and sent all prisoners to the Department of Corrections for holding. This will free up nearly one hundred additional deputies to protect your property.

Last night, it appears citizens complied with the curfew and our presence in neighborhoods was overwhelming. While we cannot guarantee that some incidents of theft or break-ins may occur, you can feel secure as far as your homes and property are concerned.

I will attempt to send an email alert tomorrow as soon as conditions make it safe for us to survey the damage, which is expected to be extensive. I will also try and post this first report on my home page at www.sheriffgregchampagne.com.

We are also told that the maximum storm surge level may actually occur after the storm passes us.

Please try and relax. We are here, morale is good and our deputies are dedicated to protecting you and your property.