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With Hurricane Laura headed in our direction local officials warn people to be ready.
Here is a Press Release from the City of Texarkana Texas and another from the Office of Emergency Management in Miller County.
In accordance with Governor Greg Abbot’s disaster proclamation, Bowie County Judge Bobby Howell and Texarkana, Texas Mayor Bob Bruggeman issued a disaster proclamation today, August 26, 2020, declaring a local state of disaster for Bowie County and the City of Texarkana, Texas certifying that Hurricane Laura poses a threat of imminent disaster including widespread and severe property damage, injury, and loss of life due to widespread flooding and damaging winds.
Resident are urged to prepare for large amounts of rainfall, potential flooding, and possible power outages. The following messages should be taken into consideration during storm preparation:
Turn around; Don't drown. We could see significant rainfall which will result in flooding in our region, so if you encounter a flooded roadway please do not enter the water. Turn your vehicle around and avoid the water.
9-1-1 is for emergencies only. If you have non-emergency questions or need more information, call (903) 255-5560.
Avoid downed lines. Downed power lines are dangerous. Never touch them. For safety’s sake, always assume that a fallen power line is live, and call 9-1-1 immediately to report a fallen power line. Don’t drive over it, touch it with an object, or approach it.
Register now for CODE RED, the emergency notification system, by visiting https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/9CE5BBCCF212 or calling 903-798-3181.
Create an emergency outage kit. Be prepared should the power go out. Assemble an emergency
outage kit that includes the following items, at a minimum:
o Flashlights and fresh batteries
o Battery-powered radios or televisions
o Candles, matches, or lighters
o Water for drinking and cooking
o Camping equipment (sleeping bags, camp stoves, lanterns)
o Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
o Manufacturers instructions for power-operated equipment such as the garage door, generatoro Important medicines you need to take. Better to locate them while the power is still on than
fumbling around in the dark should the power go out. Stay alert and prepare for power outages.
o Customers who are on life support systems or need uninterrupted electric service for health
reasons should make alternate arrangements in preparation for potential power outages.
o If you use a portable or RV generator, do not plug the generator into your circuit box. Portable
generators can back feed electricity up the line and risk the lives of repair workers and the
public. Follow the manufacturers instructions carefully, and plug essential appliances directly
into the generator.
o Call 1-888-218-3919 to report your outage SWEPCO outage or 1-877-707-2232 to report a
Bowie-Cass Electric Cooperative power outage.
The Office of Emergency Management in Miller County has prepared this release to be disseminated to the public for information to our citizens in the four-state region. Hurricane Laura has again been upgraded to a Category 4 Hurricane and is expected to make landfall this evening and then lift north over our area sometime Thursday morning and afternoon into Friday. Full impact is expected Thursday afternoon.
Joe Bennett, the Emergency Management Director has been in contact with the National Weather Service in Shreveport today and has been advised our area is looking at about 20 mph winds around 7:00am, increasing to around 55mph at about 5:00pm and then possibly 68 mph about 10pm. We could see 50-90 mph winds in the southern portions of our area with localized flash flooding tonight and tomorrow. A Flash Flood watch is in effect from now until Friday.
As mentioned before, portions of southwest and western Arkansas have been running five to ten inches above average rainfall. Flash flooding will be a concern and even as Laura moves into Arkansas, it is likely to maintain tropical storm strength which means sustained winds could topple trees since the root bases are so saturated.
OEM Director Joe Bennett said, Wind gusts may be seen up to 90 mph with sustained winds of 30-55mph. There is a possibility of 4-6 inches of rainfall depending on how fast the storm moves through our area, so flash flooding could occur between Thursday morning from 7a to Friday morn at 7am.” There is a possibility of tornadic activity, as these storms tend to spur off tornadoes. However, that may be expected north and northeast of our area.
Bennett has been working with the Red Cross on shelter locations, but congregate shelter locations may be available only after the storm has passed. If you are in need of a shelter after the storm, the Red Cross recommends calling their hotline at 1-800-REDCROSS. This will help the Red Cross know what areas needs to open. The current COVID pandemic has placed restrictions on the opening of shelters. Area hotels are of personal choice but will be open and have released restrictions on out of town evacuees from Texas and Louisiana.
However, it’s appears many who have already fled the hurricane in the south have opted for hotel rooms in Texarkana. That, couple with electrical companies converging on Texarkana to respond to outages have booked quite a few rooms. There are two safe rooms in the city of Texarkana, AR.
The Office of Emergency management recommends that citizens take the necessary steps to get with family members and neighbors that need assistance for placement now and not wait. Please use common sense and not wait for the storms to arrive before preparing. Other area shelters and churches who wish to open are encouraged to contact OEM Director Joe Bennett at the below address. Other than designated Red Cross shelters, the LifeHouse Church on East St will open if needed as well as the First Baptist Church of Fouke. The Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief has offered assistance as well. Please understand, 1 st Responders cant be everywhere at the same time in the event of a disaster so take the necessary steps now to shelter in a secure location.
Prepare now with access to weather information via NOAA weather radio, weather updates on TV/radio and updated social media posts. Will update again soon.