LAPLACE – More than 3,300 residents have been rescued and evacuated with approximately 200 pets since Wednesday. A database of individuals who were evacuated to Alexandria and Shreveport has been obtained, and families and friends can now locate their loved ones by calling 985-652-0542. Evacuations to the state shelter in Shreveport are ongoing; therefore, please be patient when receiving information as some groups may be in route.

Also, a number of residents who were rescued chose not to evacuate to the state shelters and instead made alternate arrangements.

The storm surge has peaked at Lake Pontchartrain and water levels will begin dropping, however, Lake Maurepas will continue to rise this afternoon. Wind speeds are moving out of the South at 20-30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph and are expected to end early this afternoon.

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 recede. Continue to forward information to the Parish emergency operations center at 985-652-2222.

River Parishes Hospital is closed at this time. Information will be released when the hospital re-opens.

Airline Highway is open from both St. James and St. Charles Parishes. Interstate 10 on and off ramps and I-55 on and off ramps at LaPlace are still closed. US 51 and Belle Terre Boulevard are also still closed.

The curfew for St. John the Baptist Parish will resume tonight beginning at 6:00 p.m.

“Residents on roads past 6 p.m. will be challenged,” said Sheriff Michael Tregre.

The St. John the Baptist Parish Utilities Department continues to take action to correct the situation caused by the storm surge at the Ruddock Water Station. The National Guard is assisting the transport of equipment down Highway 51 to Ruddock.

More than 19,000 customers in St. John Parish remain without power; however, Entergy has begun making assessments of the Parish and have plans to begin restoring power soon.