Mary Tutwiler

Ike empties Cameron Parish

by Mary Tutwiler

Hurricane Ike, currently a Category 2 storm, is predicted to make landfall Saturday around Galveston, Texas, according to the National Hurricane Center. Because of the potential for storm surges of six to eight feet, which could cause flooding, lower Cameron Parish in Louisiana is under an mandatory evacuation order. People in low lying parts of Calcasieu Parish are being advised to seek shelter as well. Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach has arranged for buses to transport all residents of the parishes who need rides and to take them all to the same shelter in north Louisiana.

Hurricane Rita devastated Cameron in September 2005, and the parish is still struggling to get back on its feet. Residents of Holly Beach, which was leveled by Rita, were boarding up their homes on Wednesday, preparing to leave today.