IBERIA PARISH, La. (KLFY) -- As hurricane season progresses, Iberia Parish President Larry Richard said the parish is more prepared than ever but urges residents to do their part.

“We take hurricane season and emergencies very seriously in Iberia Parish,” Richard said. “We've gotten better every year. From FEMA to the National Guard, hospitals to fire departments, it's a full team effort to be ready for whatever a storm brings.”

Emergency planning in the parish is not limited to a few months of the year. Richard said his team works year-round with state and federal agencies, including FEMA, the Louisiana National Guard, the Department of Health, and the National Weather Service.

One of the biggest challenges Iberia Parish faces, even outside of named storms, is flooding.

“We live on the coast. You can have a beautiful day, but with a 14-mile-per-hour wind from the south, some people already have water in their yards,” Richard said. “If the tide’s coming in, the water just can’t go out.”

To help with that, the parish has been investing in flood control structures aimed at reducing water buildup in low-lying areas like Admiral Doyle Drive. Richard said while ditches and channels are regularly cleaned, drainage can still be blocked when tides are high.

The parish also uses an emergency alert system called Iberia Pins, which can notify residents by phone, text, or email about storms, evacuations, and other emergencies.

“It takes maybe three minutes to sign up on our website,” Richard said. “Even when I’m out of town, I get updates instantly.”

Currently, Iberia Parish does not have hurricane shelters rated to withstand major storms, but temporary shelters will be announced if needed. Richard said residents should make a plan ahead of time, including gathering medicine, food, pet supplies, and identifying evacuation routes.

Hurricane preparation information, including shelter plans and emergency alerts, can be found on the Iberia Parish Government website at iberiaparishgovernment.com.

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