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LAPLACE — St. John the Baptist Parish is working to provide assistance to residents currently staying in St. John Parish under less-than-ideal conditions.

In larger cities and metro areas, cooling stations have been opened in government facilities to give residents a reprieve from the stifling heat. Parish President Jaclyn Hotard said St. John Parish is working on opening a cooling station. However, a location has not yet been determined because every large parish-owned facility sustained damage during the storm.

Point of Distribution (POD) sites remain open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the following locations: Wallace Fire Station (5733 Highway 18 in Vacherie), REGALA Gym (200 REGALA Park Road in Reserve) and Garyville-Mt. Airy Magnet School (240 LA-54 in Garyville).

Tide Loads of Hope is collecting and cleaning laundry from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice at LaPlace Walmart.

The St. John Parish Fire Department is delivering ice throughout local neighborhoods. At President Biden’s request, FEMA representatives have also ventured into St. John Parish neighborhoods to assist residents with registering for disaster relief.

Starting today, Sept. 1, elderly residents ages 65 and older who need help registering for FEMA can call the Department of Health and Human Services at 985-536-4955 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hotard encouraged residents who have already secured tarps for their roof to also register for a free “blue roof” from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She said a blue roof is different than a tarp and is likely to last much longer.

Several that were installed in Lake Charles one year ago for Hurricane Laura are still in place today.

To register for a blue roof, visit blueroof.us or call 1-888-766-3258.