State of Louisiana
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

PROCLAMATION NUMBER 20 JBE 2020
STATE OF EMERGENCY - POTENTIAL HEAVY RAIN, FLASH FLOODING AND WINTERY WEATHER

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 the potential for heavy rains and wintry precipitation with impacts across Louisiana from Thursday, February 11, 2021 and for several days thereafter;

WHEREAS,     there is a potential for localized heavy rainfall and flash flooding across portions of the State. It is anticipated that much colder air will then move into the state bringing the possibility of a hard freeze and a more significant round of winter precipitation;

WHEREAS, the State of Louisiana could potentially experience severe damage which threatens the safety, health, and security of the citizens of the State of Louisiana, along with damage to private property and public facilities;

WHEREAS, many parishes across the state are poised to take protective measures to help mitigate for the potential of heavy rains, flooding, and wintery weather that could cause damage to persons and property, as well as prepare additional evacuation and sheltering measures that may be required during the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, the State anticipates that parishes will declare states of emergency, and assistance may be needed to 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 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 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 Thursday, February 11, 2021 to Friday, March 12, 2021, 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 11th day of February, 2021.

John Bel Edwards
GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA

ATTEST BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SECRETARY OF STATE