Causeway Bridge

Wednesday, September 28, 2021

This sign was positioned at the end of the bridge:

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

One of the most common calls we receive is calls about debris dropped from cars. These are drastically more frequent after a disaster like Hurricane Ida.

An unsecured load is defined as cargo outside a vehicle that has not been fastened in or attached to the vehicle with tarps, rope, straps, netting, or chains, to prevent any part of the load or the covering from becoming loose, detached, or leaving the vehicle while the vehicle is moving

“But I’m just going a short way and I won’t be driving fast.”
Even if you are driving slowly for just a couple of blocks you are still required to secure your load. The law is clear – every vehicle that travels on every publicly maintained road must have a secured load.

“But what I’m hauling is so heavy it couldn’t possibly fall out.”
Just because you can’t imagine it happening doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. Each year, heavy items such as large truck tires, spools of wire, and large pieces of wood fall from vehicles and end up on our roadways creating hazards for motorists. Take the time to always secure your load.

“But my load is below the top of the truck side walls.”
Even with a small load, items can shift and become loose or airborne. Don’t risk it – secure your load.

To secure your load:

• Tie-down using rope, netting, straps, or chains. Securely fasten large items directly to your vehicle. Make sure that any covering is securely tied down.
• Put lighter items lower and place heavier items on top to help keep them in place and secure the heavy items directly to your vehicle.
• Cover your load with a tarp. Covering your load with a tarp and then securely fastening the tarp to the vehicle is good way to ensure that your load is secure.
• Don’t overload your vehicle.
• Double-check that your load is secure.

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

While this hurricane season has been harsh on everyone, it’s best to remember it’s not over yet. With Ida’s devastation still around us, it’s hard to believe we have another storm at our doorsteps. According to Wikipedia Hurricane Ida was the second-most damaging and intense hurricane to strike the State of Louisiana on record, behind Hurricane Katrina. With Nicholas raining outside and another month-plus of hurricane season, it’s very important to be prepared and stay safe during storms.

Stay Informed

• Pay attention to emergency information and alerts.
• If you live in a mandatory evacuation zone and local officials tell you to evacuate, do so immediately.

Dealing with the Weather

• Determine how best to protect yourself from high winds and flooding.
• Take refuge in a designated storm shelter, or an interior room for high winds.
• If trapped in a building by flooding, go to the highest level of the building. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising floodwater.
• Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

Personal Safety

• If you must go to a community or group shelter remember to follow the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for protecting yourself and your family from COVID-19. Be sure to review your previous evacuation plan and consider alternative options to maintain physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and update your plan accordingly.
• If you must evacuate, if possible, bring with you food, water, and personal items that can make you comfortable and help protect you and others in the shelter from COVID-19, such as hand sanitizer, cleaning materials, and two clean, well-fitted masks that have two or more layers for each person.