Vermilion Parish Sheriff Mike Couvillion is urging residents not to return to the area until water recedes enough for roads to become passable. Hurricane Ike sent its storm surge over southern and eastern parts of the parish overnight.

The most affected parts of the parish appear to be south of La 335 in the western part of the parish and south of La 14 for the central and eastern part near Erath and Delcambre. Sheriff Couvillion has imposed a curfew to begin at 6pm tonight until 6am in the morning for all roadways south of La. 335 from Gueydan, to Perry and all roadways south of La. 14 east of Perry.

Checkpoints have been established north of the affected region and are being controlled by state police and the National Guard. No one will be allowed in the affected areas until they are deemed to be safe for travel and the tidal surge is over.

"We have over 20 patrol units that will be actively patrolling these areas tonight in the effort to protect property and anyone found to be on the roadways in these areas during the curfew will be challenged by law enforcement and national guard. We have and will maintain our zero tolerance for looting and those choosing to be dealt will be arrested onsite", says the Sheriff.