STATE OF LOUISIANA

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

PROCLAMATION NUMBER 120 JBE 2020

STATE OF EMERGENCY – TROPICAL STORM SALLY

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(B)(l) 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 Sally’s center is forecast to move over the southeastern and eastern Gulf of Mexico later today and Sunday and then move over the north-central Gulf of Mexico Sunday night and Monday;

WHEREAS, the storm has the potential to strengthen into a hurricane once it moves into the Gulf of Mexico;

WHEREAS, there is a potential for high storm surge along coastal parishes and tropical storm force winds and flooding from rainfall in the southeastern portion of Louisiana;

WHEREAS, many parishes across the state will need to take protective measures to help mitigate against 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, the State anticipates that 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 officers of the State, or any political subdivision thereof, are authorized and directed to cooperate in actions 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 Saturday, September 12, 2020 to Sunday, October 11, 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 12th day of September, 2020.

                                                                                                                 John Bel Edwards

                                                                                                                GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA

ATTEST BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SECRETARY OF STATE