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Ida is forecast to make landfall sometime Sunday in SE Louisiana as a Major Hurricane. Tangipahoa Parish will likely see some of the worst impacts of this storm. Please finalize all preparations to protect life and property.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Edwards advises residents that during the height of the storm, in field operations will cease once winds reach a sustained speed of 40 miles per hour.  These conditions are too risky to the safety of our deputies and other emergency services.  If you have a life threatening emergency, call 911; operators will be available to answer your call and to dispatch assistance as conditions permit. For non-life threatening emergencies the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be operational and able to provide information as long as the communications network remains operational. Remember, waiting to leave or traveling the roadways during this time may not only jeopardize your life but also the lives of others. Once the wind speed is below 40 miles per hour and conditions improve, in field operations will resume.

We advise residents to stay inside during the storm and away from windows and glass doors. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm passing over. Do not go outside to see “what the wind feels like.” It is too easy to be hit by flying debris.  Most of all, we are asking residents to please stay off the roadways.

Stay informed. Receiving warnings, timely emergency alerts and information from public officials is critical to staying safe during a tropical storm or hurricane. Every family should have multiple methods for receiving emergency alerts. Please monitor the Sheriff’s Office and Parish Government social media pages and local media, and stay in place during and after the threat of the storm is over.

LAST REPORT SHELTERS: The evacuation sites will adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols, including having all occupants wear PPE while under roof.

All evacuees must bring their own blankets and pillows, toiletries, medicines, and enough food for at least 72 hours.

Shelter sites will be operated by Red Cross and open at 6 p.m. today (Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021) at the following locations:

—Hammond Westside Montessori School, located at 2500 West Park in Hammond;
—Amite High Magnet School, located at 403 S. Laurel Street in Amite; and
—Kentwood High Magnet School, located at 603 9th Street in Kentwood.