Hurricane Nate: What Kenner Residents Need To Know

KENNER, LA — Ahead of Hurricane Nate's expected landfall late Saturday or early Sunday, Jefferson Parish President Michael Yenny declared a state of emergency throughout the parish, which includes Kenner, Metairie, Barataria, Crown Point, Grand Isle and Lafitte. All areas outside the levee protection system and coastal, lowland and other areas where people live, extending as far inland as may be impacted by the storm.

The declaration will be in effect through Nov. 1, "unless terminated sooner."

It is necessary to "immediately effectuate measures to detect, prevent, prepare for, investigate, respond to, and recover from the emergency, and generally to preserve the lives and property of the people" the declaration said. (For more information on Hurricane Nate and other Kenner stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Nate, upgraded to a category 1 storm late Friday, strengthened Saturday as it closed in on the U.S. Gulf Coast, including New Orleans and the Louisiana bayous, which are not protected by levee systems. It has already been blamed for nearly two dozen deaths across Central America.

Kenner Emergency Operations

Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn ordered the city's emergency operations center to be activated to level two beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, which involves "basic 24-hour staffing" at the center. Those interested in asking non-emergency, weather-related questions or seeking general information can call the city help line at (504) 468-4357 (HELP).

Sandbags

Sandbags can be used to prevent or reduce flood water damage by serving as a barrier to divert water around buildings. Jefferson Parish doesn't give out sandbags, so individuals should buy them from local vendors.

"If sand is not available, sandbags or plastic garbage bags can be filled with dirt from your yard or garden as a last resort," the city said on its website.

The following vendors told emergency officials they handle sand or sandbags.

Schools

The Jefferson Parish Public School System said on its website that Grand Isle School and all schools in Lafitte will be closed Monday. District officials will watch how the storm develops and then determine other possible closures for Monday.

City Buildings

Nate preparations continued Friday throughout Kenner, including inspections of windows, doors and the security status at all 72 city buildings. Public Works crews looked at the city’s generators and ensured that backup generators will be available, officials said. All Kenner pump stations are operational and parish officials said drainage canals have been pumped down in preparation for heavy rains. Work crews are scheduled for Saturday to respond to storm-related problems.

Closures

Weekend closures include the Rivertown Farmers Market on Saturday, as well as all outdoor recreational activities, facilities and rentals on both Saturday and Sunday. The Williams Boulevard Boat Launch will also be closed due to tentative flood gates closing.

Garbage

Garbage collection Saturday will resume as normally scheduled, according to Ramelli Waste, the city’s garbage contractor.

Road Closures

Causeway Boulevard between Jefferson Highway and River Road will remain closed until 9 p.m. Saturday. Residents are asked to try to keep off the roads Saturday night.

Jefferson Parish is not under a curfew, but please try to limit your travel tonight. Help us keep you safe. #Nate
— JP Sheriff's Office (@JeffParishSO) October 7, 2017

From The State

States of emergency have been declared in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida as the strengthening storm heads toward the United States. Conditions are favorable for Nate to continue strengthening as it crosses the Gulf, the National Hurricane Center said.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards warned residents of the state against complacency and said they should be hunkered down by nightfall Saturday. He declared a state of emergency Thursday and said he intends to ask President Trump to make a federal disaster declaration ahead of Nate's arrival. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has also issued a statewide state of emergency.

Photo credit: Gerald Herbert/Associated Press