Voluntary evacuation issued in Calcasieu Parish

UPDATE: Anyone who is stuck at a pickup site should call 211 for assistance.

Lake Charles, LA (KPLC) - A voluntary evacuation for Calcasieu Parish has been issued ahead of Hurricane Ida.

Brian Abshire, president of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, said he signed an executive order Friday.

The current track of Hurricane Ida has it making landfall in East Louisiana.

Calcasieu officials, though, said the fragile state of many structures in Calcasieu Parish following hurricanes Laura and Delta factored into their decision.

Officials said residents should consider whether they feel safe in their homes.

“It’s about how you feel,” Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso said. “Do you feel safe?”

For those wishing to evacuate but who don’t have transportation, the City of Lake Charles will provide transportation through the City of Lake Charles Transit System from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday. Social distancing and mask-wearing are being enforced on the buses.

The parish will provide pickup opportunities from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday for those outside the city limits of Lake Charles.

Parish transit buses will stop hourly at the following locations:

• Bell City Fire Station, 8141 Galley Road
• DeQuincy: Southeast corner of LA 27 and LA 12
• Carlyss: Stine Parking Lot, LA. 27 South
• Iowa High School Stadium Parking Lot, 401 W. Miller Ave.
• Moss Bluff Tractor Supply, 181 US 171
• Starks VFW, 4402 LA 12
• Sulphur: Kroger Parking Lot, 1421 S. Beglis Parkway
• Vinton: Love’s Travel Stop, 2024A West St.
• Westlake Recreation Center, 1221 Sampson St.

From Burton Coliseum evacuees will be placed on a bus provided by the State of Louisiana and transported to either a shelter in Alexandria or another state shelter.

Residents who are unable to get to a pickup location may call 337-721-3800 or 211 to request assistance with transportation. People with transportation may drive to Burton to evacuate.

Copyright 2021 KPLC. All rights reserved.