State of Louisiana

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
PROCLAMATION NO. 45 JBE 2020

STATE OF EMERGENCY-SEVERE WEATHER

WHEREAS, the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721, et seq., confers upon the Governor of the State of Louisiana emergency powers to deal with emergencies and disasters, including those caused by fire, flood, earthquake or other natural or manmade causes, to ensure that preparations of this State will be adequate to deal with such emergencies or disasters and to preserve the lives and property of the people of the State of Louisiana;

WHEREAS, when the Governor determines that a disaster or emergency has occurred, or the threat thereof is imminent, La. R.S. 29:724(8)(1) empowers him to declare a state of emergency by executive order or proclamation, or both;

WHEREAS, a line of severe thunderstorms moved across Louisiana during the early morning on April 12, 2020, bringing with it heavy rainfall, wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour, large hail (two inches in diameter or greater), flash flooding, and strong or long tracked tornado activity;

WHEREAS, multiple parishes, including Bossier, DeSoto, and Ouachita, have reported power outages, downed trees and power lines, debris, and significant damage to numerous structures;

WHEREAS, the parish of Ouachita has declared a state of emergency; and

WHEREAS, additional parishes may declare states of emergency and there is a need to assist those parishes in their response to this weather event.

NOW THEREFORE, I, JOHN BEL EDWARDS, Governor of the State of Louisiana, by the authority vested by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: Pursuant to the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721, et seq., a state of emergency is hereby declared to exist in the State of Louisiana because of the imminent threat of emergency conditions that threaten the lives and property of the citizens of the State.

SECTION 2: The Director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is hereby authorized to undertake any activity authorized by law which he deems appropriate in response to this declaration.

SECTION 3: Pursuant to the La. R.S. 29:732, during a declared state of emergency, the prices charged or value received for goods and services sold within the designated emergency area may not exceed the prices ordinarily charged for comparable goods and services in the same market area at or immediately before the time of the state of emergency, unless the price by the seller is attributable to fluctuations in applicable commodity markets, fluctuations in applicable regional or national market trends, or to reasonable expenses and charges and attendant business risk incurred in procuring or selling the goods or services during the state of emergency.

SECTION 4: All departments, commissions, boards, agencies and officers of the State, or any political subdivision thereof, are authorized and directed to cooperate in actions the State may take in response to the effects of this severe weather event.

SECTION 5: This order is effective upon signature and shall remain in effect from Sunday, April 12, 2020 through Monday, May 11, 2020, unless terminated sooner.

IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the City of Baton Rouge, on this 12th day of April, 2020.

JOHN BEL EDWARDS
GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA