St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools will remain closed Wednesday (Sept. 5) in anticipation of the impact of Tropical Storm Gordon, which is expected to make landfall as a hurricane this evening.

The storm’s center is expected to strike the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The storm is packing winds at more than 60 miles per hour and is tracking quickly toward the west-northwest.

The storm is expected to weaken once making landfall.

St. John the Baptist Parish remains under a Tropical Storm Warning and Flash Flood Watch.

The Parish EOC is activated and continuing to evaluate weather updates from the National Weather Service. All partner agencies are also included in the decision-making.

St. John officials said rainfall, some heavy at times, and strong winds, could impact the area, possibly leading to downed trees and power lines, causing power outages.

Storm Surge amounts of 1-2 feet are predicted for Lake Pontchartrain and Maurepas.

Residents are asked to assist with clearing catch basins near homes and businesses as this is a continuing effort.

Please pick up loose debris and tree limbs but DO NOT put them in the ditches. Place them by the curb and call Public Works at 985-652-7527 for pickup.

If there is anything significant, blocking drainage that residents cannot handle, call the Public Works Office.

Self serve sandbag locations are open until 7 p.m. at the intersection of Bamboo Road and Indigo, Railroad Ave Fire Station, Lucy Fire Station, Wallace Fire Station and Pleasure Bend Fire Station, the Westbank Complex and Ezekiel Jackson Park.

Pre-filled sandbags for elderly and disabled are available at 425 Captain G. Bourgeois until 7 p.m.

If you are NOT signed up for Parish alerts, please do so immediately all life-saving efforts will be sent out on this network. You can do so by visiting sjbparish.com and clicking on “Stay Connected.”