Lafayette Parish Declares State Of Emergency

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL) — Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel has declared a state of emergency, and all non-essential government workers will be off Wednesday.

“These declarations by communities and states are simply legal requirements to position themselves for reimbursement by FEMA, primarily,” Durel said through his Facebook page.

Officials are also asking the public to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary after 6 p.m.

The declaration is made shortly after forecasters upgraded Issac from a tropical storm to a hurricane.

Right now, all of Acadiana remains under a tropical storm warning, while hurricane watches are in effect for Iberia, Lafayette, St. Mary, and Vermilion parishes.

Isaac is expected to come ashore Tuesday night or Wednesday morning along the Louisiana coast.