The Lafourche Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness said today that it will order recommended and mandatory evacuations for the coastal parish beginning this afternoon:

• a recommended evacuation will be issued at 4:00 p.m. today (Friday) for the area South of the Leon Theriot Floodgates in Golden Meadow;
• a mandatory evacuation will be issued at 9:00 a.m. Saturday for the area South of the Leon Theriot Floodgates in Golden Meadow;
• a mandatory evacuation will be issued at 3:00 p.m. Saturday for the entire Parish of Lafourche.

No shelters will be opened in Lafourche Parish because Gustav is forecast to become a Category 3 Hurricane.

Residents evacuating during the “Recommended Evacuation” period must have their own means of transportation. Since no shelters will be opened in Lafourche Parish, residents will be able to obtain sheltering information at information points which will be set up along evacuation routes.

If a resident decides to stay, they will not be forced to leave their homes; however, assistance may not be available during the storm until conditions are safe for first responders.

Parish officials will probably establish a curfew Sunday to keep people off the streets.  If you are out after curfew, you will be stopped and questioned by law enforcement personnel.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s deputies are patrolling throughout the parish and will enforce the curfew when one is ordered.