WEATHER: Isaac weakening and moving from the area. Flooding due to the storm surge is expected to slowly subside and a coastal flood warning is in effect until noon Friday. The storm surge has peaked at Lake Pontchartrain and water levels will begin dropping.Lake Maurepas is also expected to peak today and begin receding.

 

EVACUATIONS: Over 3350 residents have been rescued and evacuated since Wednesday, August 30.  Search and rescue is slowing down; calls are still being received to rescue individuals from their homes.  The National Guard, Wildlife and Fisheries, Acadian Ambulance, St. John Sheriff’s Office, and Fire Departments are continuing search and rescue throughout the day as water levels remain elevated.

 

EVACUATION PHONE LINE: After evacuating over 3350 residents in St. John the Baptist Parish Wednesday night, a database of individuals evacuated to Alexandria and Shreveport has been obtained, and families and friends can attempt to locate their loved ones by calling985-652-0542. Evacuations to the state shelter in Shreveport are ongoing. A large number of residents did not evacuate to state shelters, choosing instead to stay with family and friends. 

 

PETS: Approximately 180 pets were evacuated with families over the past two days. ASPCA and Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSRT)

 

WATER SUPPLY: The St. John the Baptist Parish Utilities Department will begin working to restore water to LaPlace residents tomorrow morning.  The National Guard is assisting with the repair and transporting people and equipment through the high water along Highway 51 to Ruddock.

POWER: Entergy is restoring power to parts of LaPlace, Wallace and Reserve. Approximately 18,145 customers remain without power. Entergy is working to restore power as quickly as possible while avoiding flood ravaged areas. 

 

HOSPITAL: River Parishes Hospital is currently closed.  Residents will be notified when the hospital re-opens.

 

CURFEW: St. John the Baptist Parish remains under a 6:00 p.m. curfew until further notice. Sheriff Michael Tregre has requested additional security personnel to help with patrols of the parish during the power outage.  Checkpoints have been established at the St. James and St. Charles Parish lines to enforce the curfew.  He said “Residents on roads past 6:00 p.m.will be challenged by his officers”.

 

MAJOR ROAD CLOSURES: I-10 on/off ramps, I-55 on/off ramps, Hwy 51 is closed, Airline Hwy at St. Charles Parish/Jefferson Parish line, Belle Terre Blvd at Fairway Dr. to I-10, I -310 Eastbound, Belle Terre at Fairway.  

 

 CLOSURES:  All schools and parish offices will be closed through the Tuesday after Labor Day.