River Region residents asked to monitor, prepare for low pressure tropical system
Published 5:04 pm Wednesday, May 23, 2018
LAPLACE — The National Weather Service and St. John the Baptist Parish officials are actively monitoring a broad low pressure system near Belize.
Although the National Hurricane Center is predicting a 60 percent chance of a tropical system developing in the eastern Gulf over the next five days, there is still much uncertainty with the system.
Regardless of development, the National Weather Service is advising heavy rainfall will be the main threat, starting Friday and lasting into next week due to the slow movement of the storm. According to forecasters, areas that experience the heaviest rainfall will depend on the exact track of the disturbance as it travels through the Gulf.
Currently the heaviest rain is expected to fall across areas from coastal Mississippi to the western Florida Panhandle, however this can change.
Residents are urged to make preparations now for possible heavy rainfall and/or tropical activity this weekend. This includes cleaning out catch basins and drains, clearing yards of debris and trash, securing garbage cans and assembling an emergency supply kits. Residents should also join officials in monitoring the latest forecasts and weather stations as conditions can change at any time.
Preparations Include:
- Assembling an emergency supply kit that includes essential documents, supplies and provisions.
- Reviewing hurricane evacuation maps, and selecting a route for you and your family.
- Planning how all family members and pets will evacuate safely.
- Cleaning catch basins and drains and clearing yards of debris.
- Staying informed about changing weather conditions.
Parish officials are in contact with the NWS and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness and is monitoring all models in the event changes in the forecast occur.
Notifications will be released as information is received and as the forecast changes. To sign up for Parish emergency alerts, visit the homepage of the St. John website at sjbparish.com and click “Stay Connected.”
— Contributed by St. John Communucations
