Southeast Louisiana is prepping to get inundated from Tropical Storm Claudette with landfall predicted to be sometime early Saturday morning. National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Schott says basically everything east of I-55 from the coast up to the Mississippi state line is expected to be affected and if you live in that area you need to pay attention.
St. Tammany Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Clarence Powe says they’ve opened up sandbagging stations and they closed a few bridges in anticipation of possible flooding. Powe encourages residents to make storm plans and check around their homes.
Rainfall amounts are the biggest threat with the storm however Schott says don’t discount tropical storm winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour and securing outside items should also be on your immediate to-do list.
Governor Edwards takes issue with the label “decriminalization” as a way to describe legislation he signed that removes the possibility of jail time for possession of a small amount of marijuana. Under the legislation, those found to have 14 grams or less of pot can’t be sent to jail and only can be given a 100 dollar fine. Edwards says don’t confuse that for full legalization.
Governor Edwards signs legislation increasing the cost of annual recreational and commercial hunting and fishing licenses starting next July. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says only two-thirds of recreational sportsmen will only see their yearly costs go up about ten dollars, and with that increase in cost will come more consolidated licenses.