St. James Parish officials announced at 9 a.m. today they are actively monitoring water levels and will provide updates on parish websites and social media throughout the day.

There are no evacuations taking place in St. James Parish at this time.

Areas north of La. Hwy. 3125 have the greatest possibility of flooding along with a few pockets of low-lying areas just south of La. Hwy. 3125.

The National Weather Service recommends continuing preparations for backwater flooding. Preparation is of utmost importance, therefore, sandbag operations will continue throughout the day at all locations.

There are no shelters open in St. James Parish at this time. If a shelter is needed, shelter information will be communicated to residents.

Airline Highway (U.S. Hwy. 61) between La. Hwy. 641 and La. Hwy. 22 in Ascension Parish is closed because of high water along the highway.

Businesses along Airline Highway between La. Hwy. 641 and La. Hwy. 3274 remain accessible from Airline Highway.

La. Hwy. 641 is closed in both directions between I-10 and Airline Highway (U.S. Hwy. 61). The I-10 eastbound off-ramp and the I-10 westbound off-ramp to La. Hwy. 641 are also closed.

These closures are necessary due to high water in the area and will remain in place until further notice. King Avenue in Lutcher is also closed at this time.

All waterways on the east bank of St. James Parish are closed to recreational boat traffic until further notice because of rising water levels.

Volunteers are needed at all locations to assist with sandbagging. Sandbagging will take place daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sand and bags for sandbagging are available at the following locations:
East Bank Locations:

Grand Point Fire Station

Behind Creole House Restaurant in Grand Point

Young’s Kwik Stop in Convent

First Community Antioch Baptist Church

Gramercy North Airline Highway Fire Station (Near St. James Nursery)

West Bank Locations:

King View Street Fire Station

South Vacherie Fire and Rescue Training Center (Near Health Unit)

Sand and bags are available at all locations. Residents are encouraged to bring your own shovel and bag your own sand.

These locations will have sand and bags delivered regularly throughout the day.

Volunteers should go to all locations to assist with sandbagging and not gather at one location so that we can fill as many sandbags as possible.

St. James Parish officials are actively monitoring the weather and water levels and have been in contact with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and neighboring parishes who are providing assistance with the parish’s preparations.

St. James Parish Government has created a webpage to provide a one-stop-shop for information concerning preparations underway to mitigate any potential flooding. The webpage is http://www.stjamesla.com/information. The website will be updated throughout the day.