NEWS RELEASE
JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA
March 23, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JEFFERSON PARISH PREPARES FOR HEAVY RAIN
JEFFERSON, LA – According to the National Weather Service, periods of heavy rainfall could occur through Thursday evening, with rainfall totals of 5 to 8 inches. Isolated severe storms with damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph and hail are also possible all day today through Thursday. High rainfall rates could lead to street flooding issues. There is a Wind Advisory currently in place for Jefferson Parish until 3 p.m. today, a Flash Flood Warning in effect for Metairie and Kenner until 4:15 p.m. today, a Flood Advisory in place for Northwestern Jefferson Parish until 5 p.m. today and a Flash Flood Watch in effect for Jefferson Parish through Thursday night. All residents should remain vigilant and stay weather aware.
The Jefferson Parish Administration, along with the Emergency Management and Public Works Departments, continue to closely monitor the weather and are ready to respond accordingly. 195 permanent pumps in Jefferson Parish are currently operational. Additionally, the Jefferson Parish Public Works Departments have been cleaning catch basins and drain lines to prepare for this weather event. All residents 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 their 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.
As of now, garbage and recycling collection in Jefferson Parish will occur as scheduled and Jefferson Parish Transit is operating normal fixed-route and paratransit schedules as long as weather conditions allows. For updates on trash/recycling collection, visit www.JeffParish.net and for transit updates, visit www.Jeffersontransit.org.
Residents should have multiple ways to receive weather alerts (i.e. local news, weather radio and smartphones) and make sure to charge mobile devices and keep them nearby. 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) or by texting JPALERT or JPNOTICIAS to 888-777.
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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 |
