NEWS RELEASE
JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA
March 30, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JEFFERSON PARISH ANNOUNCES CLOSURES DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER
Alario Center Closes at Noon for COVID Testing/Vaccines
All Jefferson Parish Libraries, Head Start & Early Head Start Centers, JPRD Parks and Playgrounds will Suspend Programs & Services Today at 2 P.M.
JEFFERSON, LA - According to the National Weather Service, Jefferson Parish is under an “Enhanced Risk” of severe weather, with storms currently most likely between 5-11 p.m. today, March 30, 2022. The Jefferson Parish Emergency Management team continues to monitor the weather and asks that all residents remain vigilant and stay weather aware. Main threats are strong damaging winds and possible tornadoes.
Due to the pending inclement weather, the Alario Center will close for testing and vaccines today at 12 p.m. All Jefferson Parish libraries, Head Start and Early Head Start Centers, JPRD parks and playgrounds will close at 2 p.m., all JPRD programming will be suspended today starting at 2 p.m., and there will be no food trucks or Farmer’s Market at Lafreniere Park today.
All Jefferson Parish trash drop off sites will close at 2 p.m. today to allow the haulers to move material to the landfill before the onset of the severe weather. Collection will continue throughout the day. Any areas missed today due to the weather will be prioritized for collection tomorrow morning.
Jefferson Parish Transit services will continue to operate on a normal schedule until the last vehicle pulls in at 10:30 p.m. Should winds reach a sustained 35 mph or greater, there will be no Transit and Paratransit services across the Crescent City Connection (CCC), bridges and overpasses until sustained winds are below 35 mph. To stay updated on Jefferson Parish Transit, please visit www.jptransit.org.
All should prepare homes and neighborhoods for wind and rain by securing outdoor furniture, décor and garbage cans. To help reduce the chance of street flooding, residents should clear debris from the streets and drains around their property; such debris impedes water flow into the drainage system.
Residents are reminded to stay indoors and away from windows during severe weather events. In the event of a tornado, shelter in an interior room on the ground floor. During heavy rain, drivers should use caution around areas prone to significant street flooding, like streets under bridges and overpasses. Parish Ordinance Section 36-188 prohibits motorists from traveling on flooded streets, which may increase the possibility of structural flooding due to wake action caused by moving vehicles.
The National Weather Service advises that it is not safe to be in a mobile home during severe weather and all Jefferson Parish residents in trailers should seek an alternative shelter in a sturdy building with family or friends if possible. The Terrytown Playground, located at 641 Heritage Ave., Terrytown, LA 70056, will open at 3 p.m. on March 30, 2022 and will remain open for residents in mobile homes in need of sturdy shelter until the National Weather Service gives the all-clear that the storm has passed and it is safe to leave. The Terrytown Playground is not an overnight shelter; however, it is a hurricane-grade structure that will provide a safe haven for those in trailers during this weather event. Please be advised that residents should bring their own food/water as the playground will only provide sturdy shelter during the storm; there will be no cots or any other amenities available at this location.
Residents should have multiple ways to receive weather alerts (TV, radio, etc.) and make sure to charge mobile devices and keep them nearby throughout this evening. To receive weather and emergency bulletins from Jefferson Parish, text “JPALERT” or “JPNOTICIAS” to 888-777. Hour-by-hour forecasts for specific locations can be accessed at www.weather.gov/neworleans by using the point and click map in the middle of the page.
For more information about Jefferson Parish, visit www.JeffParish.net. Residents can also receive regular updates by following the Parish on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@JeffParishGov).
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Jefferson Parish Public Information Office 1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Suite 1002 Jefferson, LA 70123 |
JPALERT – SIGN UP TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY ALERTS |
Gretchen Hirt Gendron, PIO |
