LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — Lafayette’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness wants the public to know they have contacted all the mayors and elected officials. Meanwhile, the communications team is pushing out much-needed storm-related information to residents and businesses.

LCG Chief of Staff Christina Dayries encourages residents to be prepared.

“Get some sandbags that you think may be useful. Start taking care of your valuables. Put your furniture and other things higher. You put some buckets underneath them. Start prepping your home. Get it ready,” Dayries said.

If you have ditches for drainage, LCG urges residents to clean them out.

“Make sure you have nothing obstructing any drainage area so that the water can flow freely,” Dayries stated.

Director of Drainage Brian Smith says drainage maintenance is a year-round priority. Maintenance is intensified ahead of a forecasted storm.

“This is something that’s done every day. Ditches need to be dug, coulees need to be cleaned, and pipe systems. We do that daily. We do step it up a little bit when a storm comes in. We shift away from our normal maintenance routine, and we have some hotspot areas that we check,” Smith said.

When a high influx of water occurs, the coulees at the culvert ends can be clogged by debris. Drainage workers are out clearing those culverts to help the system work as designed.

“Feel free to call us. We will go out and assess,” said Smith. “We will be working during, through and before the storm.”

LCG drainage workers will try to address as many situations as possible.

“We have sandbag locations: one in Carencro, one in Scott, and throughout LCG. We have one on Duval Road and one at Picard Park,” Dayries explained.

Sand and bags will be provided. However, you will need to bring your own shovel. If you need additional assistance or notice a drainage issue, use the 311 call line, but use 911 for emergencies.

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