STATE OF LOUISIANA
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
PROCLAMATION NUMBER 108 JBE 2020

STATE OF EMERGENCY - TROPICAL STORM LAURA AND TROPICAL DEPRESSION 14

WHEREAS,  the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721, et seq., confers upon the Governor of the State of Louisiana emergency powers to deal with emergencies and disasters, including those caused by fire, flood, earthquake or other natural or manmade causes, in order to ensure that preparations of this State will be adequate to deal with such emergencies or disasters and to preserve the lives and property of the people of the State of Louisiana;

WHEREAS,   when the Governor determines that a disaster or emergency has occurred, or the threat thereof is imminent, La. R.S. 29:724(8)(1) empowers him to declare a state of emergency by executive order or proclamation, or both;

WHEREAS,  the National Weather Service has indicated that Tropical Storm Laura and Tropical Depression 14 are expected to move toward the northern Gulf of Mexico over the next few days;

WHEREAS,   Tropical Depression 14 is anticipated to be upgraded to Tropical Storm Marco over the next 12 hours;

WHEREAS,   both storms have the potential to strengthen into hurricanes once they reach the Gulf of Mexico;

WHEREAS,    due to the possibility of two tropical systems making landfall in such close proximity to each other, there is a significant risk for storm surge, high winds, and flooding from rainfall in all southern parishes;

WHEREAS,   many parishes across the state will need to take protective measures to help mitigate flooding and wind damage in response to this imminent threat, as well as prepare additional evacuation and sheltering measures required during the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS,  five parishes have declared states of emergency, the state anticipates that many more parishes will declare states of emergency, and assistance may be needed to assist parishes in their response to this developing threat.

NOW THEREFORE, I, JOHN BEL EDWARDS, Governor of the State of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1:   Pursuant to the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721, et seq., a state of emergency is hereby declared to exist statewide in the State of Louisiana as a result of the imminent threat of emergency conditions that threaten the lives and property of the citizens of the State.

SECTION 2:  The Director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is hereby authorized to undertake any activity authorized by law which he deems appropriate in response to this declaration.

SECTION 3:   Pursuant to the La. R.S. 29:732, during a declared state of emergency, the prices charged or value received for goods and services sold within the designated emergency area may not exceed the prices ordinarily charged for comparable goods and services in the same market area at or immediately before the time of the state of emergency, unless the price by the seller is attributable to fluctuations in applicable commodity markets, fluctuations in applicable regional or national market trends, or to reasonable expenses and charges and attendant business risk incurred in procuring or selling the goods or services during the state of emergency.

SECTION 4:   All departments, commissions, boards, agencies, and officer; of the State, or any political subdivision thereof, are authorized and directed to cooperate in action; the State may take in response to the effects of this severe weather event.

SECTIONS 5:  This order is effective upon signature and shall remain in effect from Friday, August 21, 2020 to Sunday, September 20, 2020, unless terminated sooner.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of Louisiana in the City of Baton Rouge, on this 21st day of August, 2020.

John Bel Edwards
GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA

ATTEST BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE
SECRETARY OF STATE