Good Morning, St. George: Hurricane Update, Future Road Projects & What's Happening This Weekend
Friday, October 9, 2026
Good morning, St. George!
We've got some encouraging news on the weather front, an opportunity for residents to weigh in on future road improvements, and a couple of important things coming up around the city.
Here's what's happening.
Hurricane Update: Looking Better for St. George
Hurricane Isaias (ee-sah-EE-ahs) has strengthened considerably, with winds reaching 110 mph as of early Friday morning.
That's a powerful Category 2 hurricane, just shy of Category 3 strength.
The good news for St. George and the Greater Baton Rouge area is that the forecast track has shifted farther east, keeping the most significant impacts away from us.
We're still looking at some breezy conditions and possibly a few showers, but the current forecast doesn't suggest significant hurricane impacts in our immediate area.
Of course, it's Louisiana, and we all know better than to completely ignore a hurricane in the Gulf until it's gone.
For the latest updates, visit the National Hurricane Center.
Have an Opinion About Traffic? Here's Your Chance to Be Heard.
The Capital Region Planning Commission is opening another round of public input for its MOVE 2050 transportation plan, which will help establish regional transportation priorities over the next 25 years.
And no, this isn't the same thing as St. George's 2050 Comprehensive Plan.
MOVE 2050 looks at the bigger picture: roads, intersections, congestion, transportation safety, and future infrastructure needs across the Capital Region.
Some of the findings from earlier public input probably won't surprise anyone.
Traffic congestion was the number-one concern.
Residents also identified roadway safety and maintenance as major priorities. More than 950 comments were submitted through the project's interactive map.
Suggestions included better traffic signals, improved intersections, additional turn lanes, better lighting, and improved road connectivity.
If you've ever sat through several light cycles on Siegen Lane or wondered why certain intersections haven't been improved, this is an opportunity to make your voice heard.
The public comment period begins October 12, with several meetings scheduled:
October 14, 5:30–7 p.m. — In person
October 21, noon–1 p.m. — Virtual
October 28, 5:30–7 p.m. — In person
November 4, noon–1 p.m. — Virtual
The in-person meetings are scheduled for 14734 South Harrell's Ferry Road.
You can learn more and participate through the MOVE 2050 public engagement website.
We spend plenty of time complaining about traffic around Baton Rouge. Here's a chance to actually participate in the process that helps determine future transportation priorities.
Big Development Decisions Coming Before St. George City Council
The St. George City Council meets again Tuesday, October 13, at 5 p.m., and several development-related proposals are worth watching.
One involves establishing St. George's first Economic Development District over by Airline Highway and Antioch Blvd.
Economic development districts can provide mechanisms to fund improvements and encourage investment within designated areas. The proposal would establish the district's boundaries and authorize certain financing tools, subject to the applicable approval process.
Another proposal involves changes to the City's maximum building-height regulations.
That may not sound particularly exciting, but those rules help determine what future commercial development can look like and how new buildings fit into surrounding neighborhoods.
The Council is also expected to consider changes to regulations governing convenience stores with gasoline sales.
These are proposals, not final approvals.
And while individual restaurant openings and construction projects tend to get most of the attention, decisions like these can have a much bigger long-term impact on how St. George develops.
Where businesses can locate, how tall buildings can be, and how infrastructure gets funded all play a role in shaping our city.
I'll be keeping an eye on Tuesday's meeting.
Sundays in St. George Kicks Off This Weekend!
And finally, something a little more fun.
The first Sundays in St. George is scheduled for this Sunday, October 11, from 2–6 p.m. at Highland Road Community Park.
The event is free and will feature live music from Phat Hat, along with local artists, food vendors, and businesses.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the afternoon.
Another event is scheduled for October 18, featuring Parish County Line.
I like seeing events like this take shape because building a city isn't just about government meetings, roads, and zoning.
It's also about building a community and creating traditions that bring neighbors together.
Hopefully, Sundays in St. George becomes one of those traditions.
With the recent tropical weather, check the City's official Facebook page for any last-minute schedule changes before heading out.
Have a Great Weekend, St. George!
Between regional transportation planning, upcoming development decisions, and new community events, there's plenty happening around St. George.
And as our city continues growing, I'll keep following the projects, decisions, and developments that affect our neighborhoods, businesses, and property owners.
Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!
David Madaffari
Broker/Owner | Grassroots Real Estate Group
Sources and additional information
