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• St. John is under a Tropical Storm Warning, Hurricane Watch, Tornado Watch, and Storm Surge Watch.

Heavy Rain/Flooding:

• Widespread rainfall totals of 4-8″ are forecast, with some areas forecasting receiving up to 12″. Locally higher amounts remain possible. Most of this rain will fall today and tonight. The saturated soils from recent heavy rains could quickly lead to water ponding in low-lying areas, poor drainage areas, and scattered areas of flash flooding.

Coastal Flooding/Storm Surge:

• Moderate to life-threatening coastal flooding is expected. Some low-lying roads, lots, and access routes will likely flood, with the greatest impacts Wednesday morning through Thursday morning.

Damaging Winds:

• Sustained hurricane-force winds will be limited to areas near Francine’s center tracks but could reach inland as areas just southwest of Lake Pontchartrain and Maurepas. The strongest winds will occur Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night as Francine makes landfall and moves through the area.
• Impact from damaging winds could include scattered to widespread power outages and damage to trees, mobile homes, and some roofs.
• Damage will be most concentrated where Francine’s center tracks.

Tornadoes:

• Several tornadoes are expected, with any outer bands east of the circulation center of Francine that move through today through early Thursday morning.

Prepare & Monitor

• Ensure you have an emergency supply kit (non-perishable food and water) at home for at least 3 days.
• Secure outdoor items, and once trash is collected, secure bins.
• Remove debris/trash near catch basins and drains and pick up tree limbs in yards.

School Closures:

• All St. John Parish Public and Private Schools and district offices will be closed on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, and Thursday, September 12, 2024.

Office Closure:

• All St. John the Baptist Parish Government Offices, including the Edgard Courthouse, will be closed Wednesday, September 11, 2024, and Thursday, September 12, 2024, due to Tropical Storm Francine.

Garbage Collection:

• Waste Pro will collect garbage tomorrow, Wednesday, September 11, 2024, as long as weather permits.
• Thursday’s garbage collection in St. John will be based on conditions.

Sheltering:

• St. John Parish opened temporary shelters at East St. John Preparatory School and West St. John High School Gymnasium for residents seeking secure shelter from Tropical Storm Francine.
• Residents should bring food, water, medicine, and other items to make themselves comfortable.
• Residents in FEMA or the State of Louisiana travel trailers (RV), modular home units, or damaged homes are encouraged to seek safe shelter.
• East St. John Preparatory School
• 200 Ory Drive, LaPlace, LA 70068
• West St. John High School Gymnasium
• 480 LA-3127, Edgard, LA 70049
• The temporary shelters will remain open until Tropical Storm Francine no longer threatens St. John Parish.

Entergy & Power Outage:

• . To report an outage to Entergy Louisiana, please call 1-800-968-8243 or check the outage map at https://bit.ly/3XpOctA.

Voluntary Evacuation:

• Parish President Hotard Issues Voluntary Evacuation for St. John Parish due to Tropical Storm Francine.
• Tropical Storm Francine is expected to make landfall Wednesday as a Category 2 Hurricane, bringing the possibility of strong winds and heavy rainfall. Although this is not a strong storm, localized flooding is possible.
• A Voluntary Evacuation may be ordered when a disaster or emergency has been declared, and evacuation is recommended due to the potential for rapidly changing conditions.
• All persons in designated evacuation areas are recommended to consider temporarily relocating to safer locations for their own safety

To Report Emergencies Call:

• 985-652-6338 or 911.

Stay Connected:

• Parish website at Sjbparish.com, the Government Access Channel (RTC 15, Comcast 191, AT&T 99), Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (X).
• Text SJPWEATHER to 888-777 for the latest on Tropical Storm Francine.