CAMERON, La. — Cameron Parish is under a mandatory evacuation order as Tropical Storm Francine prepares to make landfall this week.
Hundreds of people are making plans to get out of the storm's path.
12News was in Cameron, Louisiana on Monday, visiting the area, which was hit hard four years ago.
Cameron residents like Anchors Up Grill owner Tressie Smith say the mandatory evacuation order took them by surprise, forcing them to act fast before Francine makes landfall.
"We're scrambling trying to do everything we can to get everything packed up and loaded up. I'm not going to be able to get it all today," said Smith.
Anchors Up Grill was destroyed by Hurricane Laura in 2020
"For six years, I had a building and I lost it. We also lost our house and we're still not able to move back four years later. I'm still living in Lake Charles driving back and forth every day," Smith said.
For Smith and other Cameron Parish residents, this is deja vu.
"We've been beat down too much. I can't take another one. Our town can't. We haven't even recovered from the last one yet," Smith told 12News.
People like Ruben Doxey are preparing for the worst.
"The plan is to eat supper, wake up tomorrow, and see what it's going to be like. I left one time and couldn't come back in and lost everything I had, so that's not going to happen again," Doxey said.
The mandatory evacuation means if people chose to stay behind, they won't be able to get emergency services.
"When tropical storm-force winds hit land, there will be no emergency services. We don't want them risking their lives to come out and save you because you didn't get out ahead of time," said Ashley Buller, the Assistant Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness for Cameron Parish.
Buller says, the mandatory evacuation is the safest option.
"They're predicting anywhere from a 5 to 10 foot storm surge. We don't want any of our residents down here when that water comes in," she says.
Meanwhile Smith says Anchors Up Grill will be serving up last minute meals up until Francine makes landfall
"People are going to need somewhere to eat when they try to get their stuff out. Pray for the best. That's all I can say," said Smith.
Cameron Parish officials are urging people to heed their warning and evacuate Tuesday, ahead of Wednesday's expected landfall.