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Governor: Take this storm seriously, be ready by nightfall

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Posted at 1:11 PM, Jul 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-12 17:47:43-04

Louisiana officials have been preparing for Barry, and will be positioned for the storm before nightfall, Gov. John Bel Edwards said.

At his Friday press conference, the Governor said everyone should take this storm seriously.

"It is critical that everybody out there monitor the situation and heed the advice of local authorities," Edwards said.

He said Louisiana's efforts will be ready before nightfall for the storm, and urged residents to be ready by then as well.

"Be where you need to be and have what you need to have to protect yourself and your family," the governor said.

The National Guard has mobilized about 3,000 soldiers and they are staged in the greater New Orleans, Northshore, Baton Rouge and Acadiana areas, said Major General Glenn H. Curtis, Adjutant General for the Louisiana National Guard.

"We have soldiers and equipment arrayed across south Louisiana, including high water vehicles, boats, helicopters," Curtis said.

Before the storm hits, the soldiers are shoring up levees and helping with evacuations. After the storm, the soldiers will be ready to help with search and rescue, security and "any other help needed that we can provide."

Here are some resources:

If you haven't prepared and aren't sure where to start, visit getagameplan.org. There's a lot of good information and advice there.

If you are planning your evacuation route, check out 511la.org for closures and congestion. There's also an app you can install on your phone to help you as you're traveling.

If you need a shelter, call 211. Those folks have all the information about every shelter that's open, and will be able to direct you to the right location.

Staying informed is critical, the governor said.

"Stay alert, monitor your local news and follow the instructions of your local officials," Edwards said. "It is criitcal that everybody out there monitor the situation and heed the advice of local authorities."

Stay off the levees, and don't drive through standing water, he added.

"Please do not drive through standing water if you are not absolutely certain you can safely do so," the governor said. "Most fatalities happen when individuals drive into standing water. It's deeper than they thought, and in many cases there is current they can't see. Be patient. Do don't that."

Edwards said the next update will come tomorrow around noon, after landfall and as information about impact has been received.