In Acadia Parish, specifically at Cramer Equipment and Supply in Crowley, many people aren’t taking any chances with Laura. “We’re trying to be prepared,” says co-owner Amanda Cramer, “hopefully we don’t need it, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
They’re boarding up windows today, but Sunday Amanda Cramer and her staff ordered extra batteries, extension cords, and the super-valuable generators.
“We did receive a shipment of generators yesterday; of course, we’re out today,” laughs Cramer. “We do plan on receiving some tomorrow, and as long as we can stay open, we’re gonna stay open.”
As of noon Tuesday, the storm prep activity in Crowley was moderate: Some businesses were boarding up, but most not doing it, at least just yet. A parking lot, that of the Acadia parish school board and other businesses, has plenty of utility trucks, buckets, and personnel—they appear ready to roll.
In the town of Rayne, repurposing was the name of the game, as grounds typically used for the Rayne Frog Festival were turned into a staging area for Entergy utility trucks and ready to roll when needed and when conditions allow them to do so.
And to the matter of sandbags: lots of rain and flooding is expected. “We had a limit on the number of bags (Monday), but right now, we can lift the limit because of the fact that the storm’s getting worse. So, we’re gonna’ have sand here, the citizens can bag their own sand, and take as much as they need,” explains Rayne mayor Chuck Robichaux.
And to the aforementioned trucks--- Entergy will use the Frog Festival grounds as a convening point for emergency personnel. From that spot, their crews will be able to go out, not only to Rayne, but to other parts of Acadiana as well.
“Not only are we helping Rayne residents,” adds Robichaux, “we’re helping other communities by giving them the opportunity to stage here in Rayne, and utilize this as a safety zone to dispatch from.”
In summary, there were number of folks Acadia parish doing what they can to get ready for Laura, although as one Crowley resident told me, with storms being storms, you can only do so much. That’s when you start praying and hoping and wishing each other good thoughts. Good thoughts to Acadia Parish and everyone in Acadiana.
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