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LAPLACE — Sandbag sites opened this week in St. John the Baptist Parish, and Hurricane Season preparations were not a day too soon.

Tropical Storm Cristobal is tracking closer to a Gulf Coast landfall. Residents are asked to hope for the best but prepare for the worst, since the impacts could range anywhere from a bullet dodged to strong winds and flooding rain.

Matthews Vargas, Debbie Bailey and Rick Morales were among those helping older members of the community fill sandbags behind the St. John Community Center in LaPlace Thursday morning.

Vargas felt confident as he loaded sandbags into a truck.

“If you prepare for it, you should be fine, like with anything else,” Vargas said. “I’m not really too worried about it.”

A Flash Flood Watch is in place for St. John Parish and portions of Southeastern Louisiana until 7 a.m. Tuesday. Local officials in communication with the National Weather Service reported heavy rainfall seems to be the main threat with this storm system, which is expected to make landfall this weekend.

Self-service sandbag sites are offered at the St. John Community Center (2900 Highway 51 in LaPlace), the Railroad Avenue Fire Station near Riverside Academy in Reserve, Ezekiel Jackson Park in Garyville, Juan Anthony Joseph Memorial Park in Edgard, and the Wallace and Pleasure Bend Fire Stations.

Please bring a shovel and take only what is needed. Empty bags will be available.

Pre-filled sandbags for the elderly and disabled (limited to 10 bags) will be offered from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today, June 6, at 425 Captain G. Bourgeois St. in LaPlace.

Employees in the Public Works and Utilities departments are out checking all pump and lift stations and pumping down drainage systems, according to a St. John Parish press release.

Residents can help by cleaning out catch basins and storm drains and avoiding placing debris in ditches, drainage canals and on the side of the road that may impede drainage or become projectiles.

As of press time Friday, meteorologists did not expect Cristobal to rapidly strengthen before making landfall. Gulf of Mexico temperatures are warmer than average for early June, but not as warm as average midsummer temperatures that spur tropical development.

Additionally, early season storms like Cristobal tend to have lopsided impact, with much of the wind and rain tracking eastward and far from the center.

When planning to stay home for a storm, residents can make the following preparations:

– Have a family survival kit and extra batteries ready

– Stay tuned to radio and television news broadcasts – listen for instructions from local officials

– Limit phone use to important calls and emergencies

– Prepare for extended loss of power and have food and water for at least one week

– Ensure blankets and medical supplies are on hand

– Stay in high places in case of flooding

– Understand that emergency services may be limited based on weather

Making a survival kit

A family survival kit may include food, baby supplies, personal items, children’s supplies, sanitary items, clothing and bedding, a battery-operated radio, extra batteries, a NOAA weather radio, waterproof flashlights, cleanup supplies, important documents, driver’s license or some form of ID, social security cards, birth certificates, proof of residence, extra cash, household inventory (photo or video), pet veterinary records, safety supplies, prescriptions, medications and first aid supplies.

Please make a note of the following emergency contacts. This information is included in the St. John Parish Hurricane Season Pamphlet that was mailed to all residents.

Emergency info: 2-1-1

Weather: weather.gov

Road Info: 511LA.org or Dial 5-1-1

State Police: LSP.org or 800-469-4828

Radio: 870AM, 105.3FM, 101.9FM

Parish Website: www.sjbparish.com

Please monitor lobservateur.com and the L’Observateur Facebook page.