Mandatory evacuation called in St. Tammany

St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis has called for a mandatory evacuation for 7 a.m. Sunday for all citizens living south of Interstate 12 and east of Interstate 59.

Also, residents of travel trailers and mobile homes are required to evacuate.

Davis called for a voluntary evacuation for the remainder of St. Tammany Parish.

Davis said officials are concerned about storm surges that could be 17-20 feet.

“Evacuate before tropical storm winds make it too dangerous,” he said.

Davis also said shelters will open at 7 a.m. Sunday. They are located at Creekside Junior High in Pearl River, William Pitcher Junior High in Covington, Abita Springs Middle School in Abita Springs and Sixth Ward Junior High in Pearl River.

A special needs shelter is also opening at Covington High School.

Sandbags are also available through noon at the normal sites, he said.

Candace Watkins, mayor of Covington, urged citizens south of Cleveland and 11th Avenue and Old Landing to evacuate.

Eddie Price, mayor of Mandeville, urged his citizens to heed Davis’ mandatory evacuation order.

“It’s going to push water straight into Mandeville,” he said of models officials have been looking at following the projected path of Hurricane Gustov.

Louis Fitzmorris, mayor of Abita Springs, also urged his citizens to evacuate.

He said previous weather situations have left citizens isolated for up to three days when the creeks and rivers rise.

Officials are scheduled to meet again tomorrow at 10 a.m. Davis said a curfew may be called for the evacuated areas.