Bonnie was downgraded to a depression Friday, but still packed enough kick to prompt emergency declarations along Louisiana’s coast and make officials begin the tedious preparation for tropical storm-force wind and rain bearing down on the shore.
“We always prepare for one category stronger than the projections, so we think it’s prudent to plan for a Category 1 hurricane,” Gov. Bobby Jindal said during a news conference flanked by Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser and other officials.
Jindal said coastal parishes and some as far inland as East Baton Rouge Parish have issued emergency declarations that allow local governments to take actions such as arranging for debris removal or stockpiling supplies.
