STATE OF LOUISIANA

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT PROCLAMATION NUMBER 144 JBE 2020

STATE OF EMERGENCY - TROPICAL STORM ZETA

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 Zeta, which is currently located in the west central Caribbean with sustained winds of 70 mph, is predicted to strengthen into a hurricane before crossing the Yucatan Peninsula and entering the southern Gulf of Mexico late Monday night into Tuesday morning. As it moves into the central Gulf Tuesday, it is expected to tum northward and then northeastward as it reaches the northern Gulf as a hurricane;

WHEREAS, the National Weather Service also indicates that on Tropical Storm Zeta's current forecast track, it would bring at least moderate impacts to portions of the Louisiana Coast;

WHEREAS, Tropical Storm Zeta puts southeast Louisiana at risk for hurricane force winds and rain late Tuesday night and into Wednesday. Storm surge is expected across the Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida coasts;

WHEREAS, due to the tropical nature of this system, there is a potential for storm surge, high and damaging winds, and flooding from rainfall in all coastal parishes, but especially for those parishes east of where Tropical Storm Zeta makes landfall;

WHEREAS, many parishes along the coast will need to take protective measures to help mitigate flooding and wind damage in response to this imminent threat; and

WHEREAS, the State anticipates that coastal 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 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 Monday, October 26, 2020 to Tuesday, November 24, 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 26th day of October, 2020.

GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA

ATTEST BY THE SECRETARY OFSTATE

SECRETARY OF STATE