STATE OF LOUISIANA

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER JML 24-142

TROPICAL STORM FRANCINE - SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

     WHEREAS, the Governor is responsible for meeting the dangers to the state and its citizens presented by emergencies and disasters;

     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 address disasters resulting from natural or man-made events that cause or threaten loss of life, injury, or property damage, as well as emergencies, which include actual or potential conditions created by such disasters, in order to ensure that preparations by the 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 or disaster by executive order which has the force and effect of law;

     WHEREAS, a declaration of emergency or disaster activates the state's emergency response and recovery program under the command of the director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness ("GOHSEP");

     WHEREAS, GOHSEP is responsible for determining the requirements of the state and its political subdivisions for food, clothing, and other necessities and supplies in a designated emergency area;

     WHEREAS, Tropical Storm Francine is developing over the western Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to become a hurricane as it tracks toward the Gulf Coast;
 
     WHEREAS, the storm is expected to bring four to eight inches of heavy rainfall across the southern part of the state, minor to moderate coastal flooding, gusty to damaging winds, and potential tornadoes, primarily on Wednesday and Thursday;

     WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has issued a warning that this storm has the potential to become a Category two (2) hurricane before making landfall somewhere along the coast of Louisiana, just west of the Atchafalaya River;

     WHEREAS, the storm could result in flash flooding, ponding in low-lying areas, rises on area rivers, and tropical force winds; there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation over the next 72 hours;

     WHEREAS, seven (7) parishes have issued emergency declarations and five (5) parishes are in the process of issuing emergency declarations; and

     WHEREAS, parishes statewide may require assistance from the State of Louisiana to provide resources to protect the life, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Louisiana.

     NOW THEREFORE, I, JEFF LANDRY, Governor of the State of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the State of Louisiana, order and direct as follows:

     Section 1:  Pursuant to the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, R.S. 29:721, et seq., a state of emergency is hereby declared to exist as a result of the emergency conditions that currently threaten the lives, safety, and property of the citizens of Louisiana.

     Section 2:    Pursuant to R.S. 29:724 (A)(3), the designated emergency area which is or may be affected shall include the entire State of Louisiana.

     Section 3:  The Director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is hereby authorized to undertake any activity authorized by law that he deems appropriate in response to this declaration.

     Section 4:  Pursuant to 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 5: Pursuant to RS. 29:724(D)(1), the Louisiana Procurement Code, (RS. 39:1551, et seq.), and Louisiana Public Bid Law (RS. 38:2211, et seq.), and their corresponding rules and regulations are hereby suspended for the purpose of the procurement of any goods or services necessary to respond to this emergency, including emergency contracts, cooperative endeavor agreements, and any other emergency amendments to existing contracts.

     Section 6:  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 this event.

     Section 7:  This Order is effective Monday, September 9, 2024 and shall continue in effect until Wednesday, September 18, 2024, unless amended, modified, terminated, or rescinded earlier by the Governor, or terminated by operation of law.

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 9th day of September, 2024.

JEFF LANDRY
GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA

ATTEST BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE

Nancy Landry
SECRETARY OF STATE