It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site in Plaquemine, LA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Plaquemine, LA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I had a major fall a few months ago which lead to me to need”
“We are so thankful we found ABC Services and even more importantly, our mother's caregiver”
“I am very pleased with Always Best Care and especially with Chasity my husband's caregiver.”
“Our family is grateful for our aid, Erica Nelson! Erica is the epitome of kindness”
“We are grateful for the care and attention given. Paula, Senior Care Coordinator, helped guide”
“We began using Always Best Care Senior Services (Baton Rouge) about 6 weeks ago to”
“Kayla has been taking care of my Mom who has been having some health issues.”
“The team at Always Best Care has been great to work with. They listen and”
“Professional services.”
“My experience has been wonderful and professional! Great care with loving and caring providers. Thank you”
“Always Best Care was wonderful in caring for our sister during the declining and last”
“Always Best Care truly helped our family. When my mother-in-law started having health issues in”
“These guys ROCK! they have taken great care of my 84 yo mom who had”
“Ethel is exceptional! She is kind, patient, and dependable. In addition, she is very caring,”
“Erica and Clementine both help with shower and clean house. Paula is very helpful when”
“I would love to shout out this beautiful company, I enjoy my caretaker linda .She”
“I cannot speak highly enough about the care and service from Always Best Care. My”
“Roshere in staffing always professional excellent customer service !”
“This is a shout out for Germanie who has been helping out my MIL (age”
“I love this Company so much.The love i have been shown has been so amazing.The”
“Love their help.”
“For over a year, Paula Baptiste has taken great care of my aunt. She's compassionate”
“Mrs. Christmas is a gift from GOD. She is definitely in her blessed chosen field.”
“Such an amazing well run company!! They treat your family like their family!!”
“Shonda and her team places their clients and care staff first in order to deliver”
“I had a major fall a few months ago which lead to me to need in-home care. I chose to use Always Best Care. I am so happy that I made that choice! They have been top notch and I have had the best experience. My caregiver, Tracey, has been such a blessing to me. I adore her. I highly recommend Always Best Care. They are absolutely wonderful!”
“We are so thankful we found ABC Services and even more importantly, our mother's caregiver Ms.Racheal. She is one of our rare gems that provide excellent, loving care ea day.”
“I am very pleased with Always Best Care and especially with Chasity my husband's caregiver. She assists my 99 year old husband with exceptional kindness, compassion and patience. She is courteous, dependable and genuinely caring. She attends to all of his needs with dignity and respect. She has made such a positive difference in his quality of life and our family's peace of mind.”
“Our family is grateful for our aid, Erica Nelson! Erica is the epitome of kindness with my father - she's patient, caring, and respectful in her care for him. Thank you, Always Best Care, and Erica.”
“We are grateful for the care and attention given. Paula, Senior Care Coordinator, helped guide us through the entire process, by phone, in person, or email. We appreciate the care, kindness, and attentiveness of several caregivers including Karli, Carissa, Barbara, Patricia, and more.”
“We began using Always Best Care Senior Services (Baton Rouge) about 6 weeks ago to help our mom. Paula (Care Coordinator) is extremely knowledgeable in the home care services arena and very patient, especially in working with parents who are resistant to accepting outside help. She is a very caring person who developed mom’s Plan of Care and checks in frequently to address any concerns we might have. It is a difficult job matching a particular caregiver with any individual. So many variations and personalities on both sides - caregiver & client. We are fortunate to have Kayla, who is a true gem! She is compassionate, caring, and has a strong work ethic. The things she has done for my mom in just 6 weeks or so is amazing. We could not be more pleased.”
“Kayla has been taking care of my Mom who has been having some health issues. Kayla is one of the most caring, capable and hard working individuals in the health care industry that I have ever met. My mom and dad both really like her and we are so fortunate to have her taking care of my mom. Paula has done an outstanding job working with my sister to help us get all of this set up and working like a well oiled machine. Thank you both, you are an incredible caring team and I appreciate it very much.”
“The team at Always Best Care has been great to work with. They listen and understand our unique caregiving needs. Mr. O, our caregiver for six months already, has been extremely caring and patient ALWAYS, very reliable, and demonstrates the utmost respect for his client. We have definitely benefitted from his caregiving expertise and knowledge as well as suggestions for accessibility improvements in our home. We consider him a valuable partner in my husband’s care.”
“Professional services.”
“My experience has been wonderful and professional! Great care with loving and caring providers. Thank you all, Cheryl G.”
“Always Best Care was wonderful in caring for our sister during the declining and last stages of her life. They were compassionate, qualified, dedicated, and did a good job keeping us informed. To the end, they were professional, watchful, helpful, empathetic, and kind, both to my sister and to us. We would especially like to mention, Tamia, Caroline, Alexus, Catina, Brandy, and Jeanette. They eased a journey through a very difficult time.”
“Always Best Care truly helped our family. When my mother-in-law started having health issues in Baton Rouge, we were living in Texas and couldn’t move because of our jobs. She also wasn’t ready to move to Texas. Choosing Always Best Care gave us peace of mind because she had help with rides, light cleaning, and, most importantly, someone to spend time with her. They always called us back quickly and were there when we needed them. I highly recommend Always Best Care if you can’t always be with your loved ones.”
“These guys ROCK! they have taken great care of my 84 yo mom who had a stroke + heart failure. Paula, Konya, Christmas and Diedre have been with us from the start and continue to to do everything for my mom. The best thing they taught me is that every human is not compatible with every human especially when it comes to caregiving; they listened to me about my mom's personality, and after hard searches they found the right people. Make sure you have patience for this part, it is not easy for any company to do this.”
“Ethel is exceptional! She is kind, patient, and dependable. In addition, she is very caring, attentive, and engages with my brother. I feel great peace of mind knowing Ethel's professionalism will provide expert care for my brother while I am at work.”
“Erica and Clementine both help with shower and clean house. Paula is very helpful when needed. Best move I ever made!!!!!!”
“I would love to shout out this beautiful company, I enjoy my caretaker linda .She does a beautiful job and taking care of me and her supervisor Christmas they take great care of me and does my paperwork on time . And I like to keep them beautiful company”
“I cannot speak highly enough about the care and service from Always Best Care. My husband has Alzheimer’s and for the first time since he was diagnosed, I feel like I have a true care partner. Karl is so kind and helpful, he has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. Thank you to all who’ve helped me in this difficult chapter in my life as well and, of course, in my husband’s care.”
“Roshere in staffing always professional excellent customer service !”
“This is a shout out for Germanie who has been helping out my MIL (age 90) for about 6 months. My husband and I are so grateful for her. More to the point, my MIL loves her. When Germanie shows up, they basically hop in the car and go, go, go. The exercise and the company and being able to get out of the house has completely changed mom's life. Before we hired Germanie, mom was sitting in her house alone and depressed after my FIL passed. Now she is living her life. It's really a night and day change.”
“I love this Company so much.The love i have been shown has been so amazing.The Staff one in Particular Mrs Lucy is WONDERFUL. She is so understanding and honest and easy to talk to u.This has by far been the best job I have ever worked in my CNA career.”
“Love their help.”
“For over a year, Paula Baptiste has taken great care of my aunt. She's compassionate and knows how important the job she does is. She is a VALUABLE asset to Always Best Care.”
“Mrs. Christmas is a gift from GOD. She is definitely in her blessed chosen field. Her personality, smart wit, loving, and giving nature is excellent. We absolutely love her!! Thanks Best Care!!!!”
“Such an amazing well run company!! They treat your family like their family!!”
“Shonda and her team places their clients and care staff first in order to deliver excellent services every day. You can trust this organization with your most prized possessions... your loved ones!!!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Fort Area Park in Plaquemine, LA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Fat Daddy's, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Plaquemine, LA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Plaquemine, LA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Plaquemine, LA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
PLAQUEMINE, La. (WAFB) - Residents of Plaquemine have one more opportunity to weigh in on the future of the city’s historic downtown district before a final revitalization plan is presented Wednesday night, August 12.The city received a “Roadmap” grant from the Louisiana Main Street Program, led by the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, totaling more than $67,000. City leaders said Plaquemine received the largest grant portion from that program.Charley Robinson, Main Street director for the city of Plaquemine...
PLAQUEMINE, La. (WAFB) - Residents of Plaquemine have one more opportunity to weigh in on the future of the city’s historic downtown district before a final revitalization plan is presented Wednesday night, August 12.
The city received a “Roadmap” grant from the Louisiana Main Street Program, led by the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, totaling more than $67,000. City leaders said Plaquemine received the largest grant portion from that program.
Charley Robinson, Main Street director for the city of Plaquemine, said a consultant group from South Carolina has been assessing the downtown area as part of the grant-funded redevelopment proposal.
“This company has been gracious enough to come in and assess our downtown for a redevelopment proposal, i.e., the Roadmap Program,” Robinson said. “So, they’re going to be here collecting data from our residents. We’ve had several roundtables, focus groups to delve on different topics of economic development, property ownership, what we’re lacking, what needs improvement, what we’re excelling at.”
Robinson said the effort is also driven by economic growth approaching from neighboring areas.
“We basically have growth coming on both sides of us through West Baton Rouge, development, residential and business-wise, and then also with the new developments in Donaldsonville, which are currently spreading into the White Castle area and will eventually reach us,” Robinson said. “With all this new industry, construction, the facilities being built, there’s several things on the horizon, and we want to make sure we’re prepared for that.”
Robinson said the city also hopes to address vacant structures.
“We hope that we can do something with these buildings that have been abandoned for a while, homes; we need rooftops here,” he said.
Bella Hymel, a Brusly native, recently relocated her business, Bleu Magnolia, from her home to a storefront on Railroad Avenue near Main Street, opening in June.
“We kind of started out mainly just doing wedding invitations. That was our big thing, and it got big enough to where it was needed to have a storefront,” Hymel said. “So, we specialize in custom invitations, a lot of custom embroidery and things like that, but main focus is weddings.”
Hymel said broader revitalization could attract more small businesses and visitors to the area.
“I think bringing some of that old school charm back would bring a lot of visitors, people who were just driving through back into town, and I think it would make it more homey,” Hymel said. “It would make people want to be here.”
The final presentation of the Downtown Roadmap will be held Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Plaquemine Community Center, located at 23245 Short St. City officials said implementation could begin within a month following the meeting.
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PLAQUEMINES PARISH, La. (WVUE) - Officials are monitoring vulnerable roads and low-lying communities in Plaquemines Parish as Tropical Storm Bertha approaches, while organizers on Grand Isle say one of the island’s largest events will continue after a slight delay.Parish President Keith Hinkley said possible flooding is a concern in lower Plaquemines Parish on the west bank, including Venice, and along a 2- to 3-mile stretch of Louisiana 39 near White Ditch on the east bank.“You don’t want to downplay this,&rd...
PLAQUEMINES PARISH, La. (WVUE) - Officials are monitoring vulnerable roads and low-lying communities in Plaquemines Parish as Tropical Storm Bertha approaches, while organizers on Grand Isle say one of the island’s largest events will continue after a slight delay.
Parish President Keith Hinkley said possible flooding is a concern in lower Plaquemines Parish on the west bank, including Venice, and along a 2- to 3-mile stretch of Louisiana 39 near White Ditch on the east bank.
“You don’t want to downplay this,” Hinkley said. “You know it is a named tropical storm at the moment, so you’ve got to respect that it’s Mother Nature.”
“We don’t want to scare people, but we have to alert the residents of Plaquemines Parish.”
Hinkley said the parish placed rock along the top of a nearby levee as a precaution. The route could allow the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office to escort residents out or reach them during an emergency if flooding cuts off Louisiana 39.
“As long as the surges are at the 2 to 4 feet on the east bank side, we’re confident — we’re feeling comfortable — that that road won’t go underwater, and that way our residents will have a way to get in and out,” Hinkley said.
The parish also reinforced an east bank levee to help emergency crews reach residents who could become cut off by flooding.
At the Pointe à la Hache boat launch, most slips were empty Tuesday after owners removed their boats. Water was slowly rising toward the shoreline.
Mike Whitehead, who owns a fishing and hunting camp in Pointe à la Hache, said his greatest concern is losing electricity.
“We feel like we will lose power from the storm,” Whitehead said. “And of course, when you leave the refrigerator and freezer with food in it, you come back to a disaster, so we made a quick trip down to clean out our food.”
Hinkley said he expects Bertha to be primarily a rain event but warned that conditions can change. He urged residents to charge their phones and keep water, batteries and other basic supplies available in case of a power outage.
TRACKING BERTHA
Residents along the Mississippi Gulf Coast spent Tuesday filling sandbags, securing boats and preparing for possible flooding as Bertha moved closer.
In Waveland, Dawn Johnson hoped a dozen sandbags and her faith would protect her low-lying home.
“Cross my fingers and pray to the good Lord,” Johnson said.
Johnson said her home took on about 2 feet of water when the remnants of Arthur moved through in June. She said another system two years ago brought about 5 feet of water.
Bay St. Louis firefighters helped Johnson fill and load sandbags after she contacted Hancock County Emergency Management for assistance.
“I’m disabled. I saw the sand and bags, but no help,” Johnson said. “These boys were here within 10 minutes. Isn’t it wonderful?”
At the Bay St. Louis Harbor, boaters also made last-minute preparations.
One local fisherman said he returned early from the Gulf after winds began increasing. He planned to move his boat into a shed and use its fuel for a generator if needed.
“It’s not one that’s a big scary Cat 5 coming, but still, you always have to be prepared,” he said.
Hancock County emergency officials expect 2 to 4 feet of storm surge south of Interstate 10.
Officials warned that emergency response becomes more difficult once sustained winds reach 35 mph. Anyone needing immediate assistance should call 911 before conditions deteriorate.
The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East plans to close four surge barrier gates at 5 p.m. Tuesday as Bertha approaches the coast.
The closures include the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal-Lake Borgne Surge Barrier, known as the “Great Wall of Louisiana,” along with the Bayou Bienvenue, Bayou Dupre and Caernarvon gates.
Boaters will not be able to pass through the affected waterways once the gates close.
Flood authority officials said the closures are triggered by forecast surge levels nearing 5 feet. Leaders said they do not expect problems with the system during Bertha.
On Grand Isle, workers tied down picnic tables, lifted boats and secured loose equipment before the International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo.
Pavilion festivities have been delayed until 5 p.m. Thursday, but organizers expect the event to continue through Saturday after Bertha moves west.
“Anything that can blow away, we’re tying that down,” rodeo worker Paxton Roussell said. “We’re headed to lift boats right now.”
About 200 fishermen are registered to compete. Participants will be able to sign up through Saturday, but organizers urged them to monitor conditions and use caution before heading onto the water.
“I was getting very nervous, wondering if that would cancel the whole thing, but it looks like the show goes forward,” Roussell said.
Captain T of Geaux Fishing Charters pulled his boat from the water as a precaution but expects conditions to improve before the weekend.
“Absolutely, we’ll be fishing offshore all weekend,” he said.
Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle said officials are monitoring the forecast but do not expect Bertha to severely test the island’s improved levee system.
“We’ve been on the phone to see how we’ll handle this, and the storm pops up and we’re watching it closely,” Camardelle said.
That version gives you a clearer hierarchy: public safety first, major island event second. It also avoids repeating several versions of “the rodeo will go on.”
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