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Tropical Storm Bertha: See where to get sandbags in Baton Rouge metro area

Sandbags sit near an entrance at the Mid-City Yacht Club.
Jessica Rosgaard
/
WWNO
Sandbags sit near an entrance at the Mid-City Yacht Club.

Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to roll through the Baton Rouge area Thursday morning. Local governments are advising residents to prepare for heavy rains — about 1-2 inches — as the storm is slow-moving.

Bertha crawled into southern Louisiana on Wednesday, making landfall and packing strong winds far from its center after closing beaches from the Florida Panhandle to Mississippi.

Tropical Storm Bertha has made landfall on the southern tip of Louisiana. The storm, moving slowly along the Gulf Coast on Wednesday, is packing strong winds that extend as much as 100 miles from its center.

The National Hurricane Center estimates a “marginal” threat of potential flash flooding in the Baton Rouge area for the next 2 days. Flooding will likely be limited to areas that can experience rapid runoff during heavy rain.

East Baton Rouge Parish officials warn drivers to be aware of potential water buildup in the following areas:

  • The Acadian underpass near I-10
  • The Burbank Drive and Nicholson Drive intersection
  • Some streets in the Southdowns, Magnolia Woods and Goodwood subdivisions
  • Sherwood Forest Boulevard between Florida Boulevard and Old Hammond Highway, and between Interstate 12 and Coursey Boulevard

There is no guarantee those areas will flood, but drivers should be on the lookout. If they see standing water, they should take an alternative route.

Parish officials advise residents to secure outdoor items, review family emergency plans, and monitor the latest weather forecasts. Updates will be released through the Red Stick Ready website for more information.

Residents looking to prepare for flooding can go to these locations in the Baton Rouge area to get sandbags. Residents of parishes not included on this list are asked to watch social media channels and official websites for updates as officials monitor the storm:

East Baton Rouge Parish: (Bring your own shovel)

  • BREC Airline Highway Fairgrounds 16072 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA
  • BREC Alsen Park 601 Old Rafe Mayer Road, Baton Rouge, LA
  • BREC Baker Park 4331 Jefferson Street, Baker, LA
  • BREC Cadillac Street 6117 Cadillac Street, Baton Rouge, LA
  • BREC Doyles Bayou Park 7801 Port Hudson-Pride Road, Zachary, LA
  • BREC Flannery Road Park 801 S Flannery Road, Baton Rouge, LA
  • BREC Hartley-Vey at Gardere Park 1702 Gardere Lane, Baton Rouge, LA
  • BREC Lovett Road Park 13443 Lovett Road, Central, LA
  • BREC Memorial Stadium 1702 Foss Street, Baton Rouge, LA

East Feliciana: (pre-bagged)

  • Parish Prison 12306 Haynes St, Clinton, LA

This is a developing news story. Check back for updates.

Alex Cox is a corps member of Report for America, an organization that pairs journalists with local news organizations to help them serve their communities. They will be covering St. George's split from Baton Rouge and how it may impact marginalized communities.