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St. John the Baptist Parish – Parish President Jaclyn Hotard and the St. John Parish Department of Public Safety are actively monitoring the forecast of freezing temperatures later in the week and are in contact with the National Weather Service. According to the National Weather Service, an extremely cold air mass is expected to surge towards the Gulf Coast bringing a hard freeze and dangerous wind chill Thursday evening through Christmas Day.

Residents are asked to take precautions now to protect people, pets, pipes, and plants– check on elderly neighbors and family; bring pets indoors or make sure they have a warm shelter; wrap exposed pipes and protect sensitive vegetation.

Freeze Precautions

• Exposed pipes should be wrapped with insulation, towels, newspaper, or old clothing and shielded from the wind with plyboard, felt roofing, plastic, or cardboard.

• Businesses and homeowners with back flow preventers should properly cover them and monitor them regularly for leaks.

People

• Check on elderly neighbors, family & friends. Dress warm if going outdoors.

Heater & Fire Safety

• Be cautious when using a space heater and do not leave the heater unattended. A heater should be placed a minimum of 3-5 feet from combustible objects and flammable materials, such as blankets.

• Ensure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly.

• Do not use stoves or ovens to heat homes.

• Do not leave candles/open flames unattended.

Plant Protection

• Cover sensitive plants and vegetation. Bed sheets, drop cloths, blankets and plastic sheets make suitable coverings for plants.

Pet Safety

• Bring pets indoors if possible. No pet should be left outside for long periods of time in below-freezing weather without a warm shelter.

Stay Connected

 

• Sign up for St. John Parish weather alerts by texting SJPWEATHER to 888-777.