Gov. Jeff Landry on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Louisiana due to Tropical Depression Beryl, a day after damage from the storm's outer bands caused one death in Bossier Parish.
"The outer connective bands from the tropical storm spread throughout Louisiana causing one fatality, major damage to homes and businesses, as well as massive power outages," according to a statement from the governor's office. "This emergency order will assist affected parishes and provide the necessary resources to protect life, safety, and welfare for citizens across Louisiana."
The Louisiana Department of Health on Monday confirmed one death related to Beryl, which is now a tropical depression moving through Arkansas. A 31-year-old Benton woman died after a tree fell on her home, the health department said.
Landry's executive order said the National Weather Service office in Shreveport issued over 65 tornado warnings on Monday and that "preliminary data indicates a minimum of five tornadoes touched down."
The state of emergency is in effect through Wednesday, Aug. 7.
Under the executive order, the director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, currently Jacques Thibodeau, is "authorized to undertake any activity that he deems appropriate in response to (the) declaration."
State procurement and bidding rules are suspended "for the purpose of the procurement of any goods or services necessary to respond to this emergency," the order says.
“This state of emergency will allow parishes affected by Beryl to utilize state resources as we begin the recovery process," Landry said.
The governor's order comes after Beryl made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Matagorda, a coastal community near Corpus Christi, and after the storm's impacts were felt in Louisiana. At the time the order was issued, Beryl had already traveled north through Arkansas and was in the process of weakening.