Tropical Storm Harvey is expected to make landfall Wednesday morning along the Cameron coastline. Because of expected wind and rain associated with the storm, all non-essential City of Lake Charles administrative offices and services, including City Hall, will be closed during regular business hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. effective Wednesday, August 30, 2017.

According to City Administrator John Cardone, City garbage and trash pickup will be suspended on Wednesday. All residents are asked to bring their garbage cans off the street and place in a secure location. 

City Transit services will also be temporarily suspended on Wednesday.

The regularly scheduled Lake Charles City Council agenda meeting and the public hearing on the proposed 2017-2018 Capital and Operating Budget are being cancelled. Two public hearings on the proposed budget have been planned: on Wednesday, September 6 at 5:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, September 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 326 Pujo St. A special meeting of the Lake Charles City Council will be held on Tuesday, September 12 following the public hearing to vote on the proposed budget.

“Due to the effects of the storm, significant street flooding could occur. Many of the drainage laterals serving the City are already full with water. Kayouche Coulee and the Canal at Oak Park are both full. Many neighborhoods including Oak Park, The Terrace, and The Village have already experienced localized flooding,” said Cardone. “We know that additional rainfall will compound the flooding in low-lying and other areas throughout the City.”

All public safety employees and public works crews will be continuously monitoring street conditions. Because of high tides and projected rainfall, street flooding could occur. Motorists are encouraged to stay off of the streets. If you must drive, please drive slowly to avoid creating wakes that can add to residential flooding.

“When this is all over with, we are going to have a lot of people to thank. For now, I absolutely must thank our City of Lake Charles Public Works Department, our city police and our city fire department. I could not be more proud of them, and I thank them for their tireless work,” said Mayor Nic Hunter. “Also, I have been encouraged by the level of cooperation we have seen from the local, state and federal agencies. We have come together and are taking care of our citizens.”

The City of Lake Charles will continue to monitor weather conditions. Citizens can keep up with City of Lake Charles news at www.cityoflakecharles.com.