Tangipahoa Parish President Gordon Burgess signed a declaration of emergency 8 a.m. this morning.

In addition, they issued the following notices:

• A special needs shelter has opened at the Southeastern Louisiana University Kinesiology Building as of 8 a.m. this morning. Anyone needing special needs sheltering should call 866-280-7724.
• The parish is now postponing its prior voluntary evacuation of low-lying areas and residents living in travel trailers until further notice. Until a more accurate forecast is determined, no decision will be made on Tangipahoa Parish Shelters.
• Sandbags are now available in all municipalities and at the parish yards in Hammond at Pleasant Ridge (345-9466) and at Roseland Yard (748-5759). Parish yards are scheduled to be open 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

For further information, you may contract the Emergency Operations Center at 985-748-3211 or visit www.tangisafe.com.