Mayor James "Mack" McGehee
The
Next City of Bogalusa Council Meeting...
will
be held on May 20th, 2008
The
meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the court room of Bogalusa City Hall,
located at, 202 Arkansas Avenue, Bogalusa, LA 70427
For
more information contact the Bogalusa City Council at 985-732-6202.
City
Council President Andy Deleon Jr.


Welcome to the MAGIC
CITY
Among Louisiana
cities, there perhaps is none whose short history is more interesting and unique than that
of the City of Bogalusa. The very name "Bogalusa" is copyrighted. "The
Magic City", "The Green Empire", slogans of past years, are as
appropriate today as they were when the axe felled the first tree to carve from a virgin
pine forest the community destined to be one of the leading industrial cities of the
South.
Bogalusa is
situated on the eastern border of Washington Parish in the "Florida Parishes"
section of Louisiana on the Pearl River (the dividing line between Louisiana and
Mississippi), and is the chief manufacturing and trading center of the Pearl River valley
(see map). Reputed to have been the largest un-incorporated
community in the nation at that time, Bogalusa was incorporated July 4, 1914, with a
commission form of government.
The name
"Bogalusa" is derived from the Indian named creek "Bogue Lusa", which
flows through the city, the definition of which is smoky or dark waters. Bogalusa owes its
birth to the enterprise of the Goodyear interests of Buffalo, New York, who established
the lumber industry here in 1906, and erected the Great Southern Lumber Company plant.
This plant became the largest pine sawmill in the world. Today Temple-Inland Inc. ranks as one of the outstanding manufacturers of pulp, paper, boxes, bags and
other paper products in the nations.
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Hurricane Notice
Be Prepared Before a Hurricane
To prepare for a hurricane, you should take the following measures:
- Make plans to secure
your property. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for
windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood,
cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from
breaking.
- Install straps or
additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This
will reduce roof damage.
- Be sure trees and shrubs
around your home are well trimmed.
- Clear loose and clogged
rain gutters and downspouts.
- Determine how and where
to secure your boat.
- Consider building a safe room.
Evacuation Plans
When community evacuations become necessary, local officials provide
information to the public through the media. In some circumstances, other
warning methods, such as sirens or telephone calls, also are used. Additionally,
there may be circumstances under which you and your family feel threatened or
endangered and you need to leave your home, school, or workplace to avoid these
situations.
The amount of time you have to leave will depend on the hazard. If the event
is a weather condition, such as a hurricane that can be monitored, you might
have a day or two to get ready. However, many disasters allow no time for people
to gather even the most basic necessities, which is why planning ahead is
essential.
Evacuation: More Common than You
Realize
Evacuations are more common than many people realize. Hundreds of times each
year, transportation and industrial accidents release harmful substances,
forcing thousands of people to leave their homes. Fires and floods cause
evacuations even more frequently. Almost every year, people along the Gulf and
Atlantic coasts evacuate in the face of approaching hurricanes.
If a hurricane is likely in your
area, you should:
- Listen to the radio or
TV for information.
- Secure your home, close
storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
- Turn off utilities if
instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its
coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
- Turn off propane tanks.·
Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
- Moor your boat if time
permits.
- Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as
cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers
with water.
You should evacuate under the following conditions:
- If you are directed by
local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
- If you live in a mobile
home or temporary structure—such shelters are particularly hazardous during
hurricanes no matter how well fastened to the ground.
- If you live in a
high-rise building—hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
- If you live on the
coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway.
- If you feel you are in danger.
If you are unable to evacuate, go to your safe room. If you do not
have one, follow these guidelines:
- Stay indoors during the
hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
- Close all interior
doors—secure and brace external doors.
- Keep curtains and blinds
closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the
storm - winds will pick up again.
- Take refuge in a small
interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.
- Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy
object.
are available with evacuation routes marked.
Recovering from Disaster
Ensure your safety
Find out how to care for your safety after a disaster
Your first concern after a disaster is your family’s health and safety. You
need to consider possible safety issues and monitor family health and
well-being.
Aiding the Injured
Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless
they are in immediate danger of death or further injury. If you must move an
unconscious person, first stabilize the neck and back, then call for help
immediately.
- If the victim is not breathing, carefully position the
victim for artificial respiration, clear the airway, and commence
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
- Maintain body temperature with blankets. Be sure the
victim does not become overheated.
- Never try to feed liquids to an unconscious person.
Health
- Be aware of exhaustion. Don’t try to do too much at
once. Set priorities and pace yourself. Get enough rest.
- Drink plenty of clean water.. Eat well.. Wear sturdy
work boots and gloves.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water
often when working in debris.
Safety Issues
- Be aware of new safety issues created by the disaster.
Watch for washed out roads, contaminated buildings, contaminated water, gas
leaks, broken glass, damaged electrical wiring, and slippery floors.
- Inform local authorities about health and safety
issues, including chemical spills, downed power lines, washed out roads,
smoldering insulation, and dead animals.
General Tips
Returning home can be both physically and mentally challenging. Above all,
use caution.
Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless
they are in immediate danger of death or further injury. If you must move an
unconscious person, first stabilize the neck and back, then call for help
immediately.
- Keep a battery-powered
radio with you so you can listen for emergency updates and news reports.
- Use a battery-powered
flash light to inspect a damaged home.
Note: The flashlight should be turned on outside before entering - the
battery may produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.
- Watch out for animals,
especially poisonous snakes. Use a stick to poke through debris.
-
Be wary of wildlife and other animals
- Use the phone only to
report life-threatening emergencies.
- Stay off the streets. If you must go out, watch for
fallen objects; downed electrical wires; and weakened walls, bridges, roads,
and sidewalks.
Before You Enter Your Home
Walk carefully around the outside and check for loose power lines, gas leaks,
and structural damage. If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence
inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before
entering.
Do not enter if:
- You smell gas.
- Floodwaters remain around the building.
- Your home was damaged by fire and the authorities have
not declared it safe.
Going Inside Your Home
When you go inside your home, there are certain things you should and should
not do. Enter the home carefully and check for damage. Be aware of loose boards
and slippery floors. The following items are other things to check inside your
home:
- Natural gas.
If you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound, open a window and leave
immediately. Turn off the main gas valve from the outside, if you can. Call
the gas company from a neighbor’s residence. If you shut off the gas supply
at the main valve, you will need a professional to turn it back on. Do not
smoke or use oil, gas lanterns, candles, or torches for lighting inside a
damaged home until you are sure there is no leaking gas or other flammable
materials present.
- Sparks, broken
or frayed wires. Check the electrical system unless you are wet,
standing in water, or unsure of your safety. If possible, turn off the
electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If the situation is
unsafe, leave the building and call for help. Do not turn on the lights
until you are sure they’re safe to use. You may want to have an electrician
inspect your wiring.
- Roof,
foundation, and chimney cracks. If it looks like the building may
collapse, leave immediately.
- Appliances.
If appliances are wet, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or
circuit breaker. Then, unplug appliances and let them dry out. Have
appliances checked by a professional before using them again. Also, have the
electrical system checked by an electrician before turning the power back
on.
- Water and sewage
systems. If pipes are damaged, turn off the main water valve. Check
with local authorities before using any water; the water could be
contaminated. Pump out wells and have the water tested by authorities before
drinking. Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage lines are intact.
- Food and other
supplies. Throw out all food and other supplies that you suspect
may have become contaminated or come in to contact with floodwater. Your
basement. If your basement has flooded, pump it out gradually (about one
third of the water per day) to avoid damage. The walls may collapse and the
floor may buckle if the basement is pumped out while the surrounding ground
is still waterlogged.
- Open cabinets.
Be alert for objects that may fall.
- Clean up
household chemical spills. Disinfect items that may have been
contaminated by raw sewage, bacteria, or chemicals. Also clean salvageable
items.
- Call your insurance agent. Take
pictures of damages. Keep good records of repair and cleaning costs.
Seeking Disaster Assistance
Throughout the recovery period, it is important to monitor local radio or
television reports and other media sources for information about where to get
emergency housing, food, first aid, clothing, and financial assistance. The
following section provides general information about the kinds of assistance
that may be available.
Direct Assistance
Direct assistance to individuals and families may come from any number of
organizations, including:
- American Red Cross
- Salvation Army
- Other volunteer organizations
These organizations provide food, shelter, supplies and assist in clean-up
efforts.
The Federal Role
In the most severe disasters, the federal government is also called in to
help individuals and families with temporary housing, counseling (for
post-disaster trauma), low-interest loans and grants, and other assistance. The
federal government also has programs that help small businesses and farmers.
Most federal assistance becomes available when the President of the United
States declares a “Major Disaster” for the affected area at the request of a
state governor. FEMA will provide information through the media and community
outreach about federal assistance and how to apply.

Robert J.
"Bobby" Crowe
WASHINGTON Parish
Sheriff
ELECT




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© 1914-2008, City of Bogalusa, all rights reserved.
P. O. Drawer 1179 · Bogalusa, LA 70429-1179
202 Arkansas Avenue · Bogalusa, LA. 70427
Phone 985-732-6200 · FAX 985-732-6245
Number of visitors since July 4, 1998
