LMR September 2020

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Preparing for and Responding to Hurricane Lauraand Other Disasters During the COVID-19 PandemicBY BRETT KRIGER, LMA DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF DISASTER RESPONSELouisiana municipalities are facing twoserious threats: Hurricane Laura and theCOVID-19 pandemic. How do leadersand professionals in healthcare, publichealth, and emergency managementcope with this combined challenge toprotect people in the communities theyserve as they face multiple, complexdisasters and emergencies at the sametime?Planning for tropical storms, hurricanes and other potentialdisasters is stressful and difficult even in normal times. Becausethe 2020 hurricane season comes during the coronavirus(COVID-19) pandemic, the preparedness, response,and recovery process goes from difficult and challenging topractically overwhelming.Our public healthand emergency responseprofessionalshave providedadvice to helpmunicipal officialssafely prepare, evacuate,and shelterfor severe stormsthat can help youprotect yourselfand others fromCOVID-19. Ourfriends, family, andneighbors in thewestern part of the state are already facing the complexityof surviving the aftermath of Hurricane Laura when shelter,hotels, electricity, food, and water are all in short supply.The COVID 19 threat even makes it difficult for responders,utility workers, debris removal teams, and FEMA to get helpinto the disaster zone. The shortage of safe operating, living,and staging locations for all those critical workers is a dauntingchallenge.Limited Shelter for Evacuees“Our small town of DeQuincy was hitby Hurricane Laura to the point ofdevastation. However, by the Graceof God, hard-working employees,great citizens working together, andvolunteers from all over the US, weare making progress toward restoration.We may have a small town,but we have BIG Hearts and thosehearts are shining bright duringthese dark days.”- Mayor Riley Smith, DeQuincyFEMA will adjust polices to allow state and local officialsto execute non-congregate sheltering in the initial days ofan incident. Non-congregate shelters include, but are notlimited to, hotels, motels, and dormitories. FEMA RegionalAdministrators have delegated authority to approve requestsfor non-congregate sheltering for hurricane-specific disastersfor the 2020 season. While not a single solution, this fundingwill assist with shelteringoperations inthe short-term.The severe limitationson sheltersbeing opened forevacuees fromHurricane Laura riskareas and nursinghomes led manyto plan for stayingwith friends or family.That is a greatoption if you havethat opportunitybut if you will bestaying with friendsor family outsideyour household toevacuate from the storm:“Pineville is accustomed to being aplace of refuge for those impactedby hurricanes but this time we arethe ones being impacted. We’veseen tremendous efforts by ourpublic works crews and publicsafety employees to maintain cityservices and keep our citizens safe.We’re especially thankful for Clecoand their many supporting contractorsfrom 16 other states who arerestoring power to our region, includingroughly half our city. As wemove forward into this recovery letus continue to work together untilall of our citizens are fully restored."- Mayor Clarence Fields, Pineville• Talk to the people you plan to stay with about how youcan all best protect yourselves from COVID-19.• Consider if either of your households has someonewho is at higher risk of developing severe illness fromCOVID-19, including older adults or people of any agewho have underlying medical conditions. Make sureeveryone knows what they can do to keep them safefrom COVID-19.• Follow everyday preventive actions, including coveringcoughs and sneezes, washing your hands often, andavoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth withunwashed hands. Consider taking extra precautions forPage 20LMR | SEPTEMBER 2020
FeatureALWAYS ONFOR YOU.JOHN M. SCHRODER, SR.Louisiana State TreasurerLAMP, Inc. PresidentLouisiana local government entities trust LAMP to protect theirprincipal, deliver solid returns, and ensure same-day access totheir funds from anywhere. We have guided our clients throughchallenging environments over the past quarter century — andwe remain ready to serve you now.Find out how our consistent, conservative portfolio managementcan help your organization navigate uncertain times.THEODORE C. SANDERS, IIIChief Executive OfficerLAMP, Inc.LOUISIANA ASSET MANAGEMENT POOLCall 800-249-LAMP or visit www.lamppool.com to learn more.No transaction fees | Same-day access to your entire investment | Rated AAAm by Standard & Poor’sYou may incur fees associated with wires and/or ACH transactions by your bank, but there will be no fees charged from LAMP for such transactions. A ‘AAAm’rating by S&P Global Ratings is obtained after S&P evaluates a number of factors including credit quality, market price exposure, and management. Ratings aresubject to change and do not remove credit risk. Investment involves risk including the possible loss of principal. No assurance can be given that the performanceobjectives of a given strategy will be achieved. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Any financial and/or investment decision may incur losses.LMR | SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 21
Page 1 and 2: Louisiana Municipal ReviewPUBLISHED
Page 3 and 4: Inside the LMADirector’s Viewpoin
Page 5 and 6: Inside the LMAHUD Announces Disaste
Page 7 and 8: Inside the LMALegal BriefsSO, WHERE
Page 9 and 10: MunicipalitiesLMA’s Strong Congre
Page 11 and 12: Municipalitiesflowing again by open
Page 13 and 14: A Word fromOur AffiliatesJennifer V
Page 15 and 16: Partner InsightRural DevelopmentUSD
Page 17 and 18: Damage Assessment is Critical to Re
Page 19: FeatureBossier: 1Ouachita: 2Tensas:
Page 23 and 24: Feature“So many have lost so much

LMR September 2020

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