PRESS RELEASE

Water Levels Being Monitored, Sandbags Issued, Message from Parish President

ST. JOHN (September 13, 2008) -   Updates as of 5:00pm Saturday, September 13, 2008 

CURFEW REINSTATED: Midnight to 6 am until further notice.

MESSAGE FROM THE PARISH PRESIDENT REGARDING WATER LEVELS:  

(AIRED LIVE ON CABLE AND TELEPHONE AT 5:00 PM)

"Good Evening, this is Parish President Bill Hubbard and I come to you tonight to notify you of the fact that our Emergency Operations Center is closely monitoring the water levels in several low lying areas of our parish.  Several streets have been closed and we have confirmed that water has entered some homes. The areas currently being monitored are:

LaPlace: Cambridge, River forest, LaPlace Park, Fox wood, Old 51, Spring Meadow/Ridgewood areas, Us 51/55/10 interchange

Reserve: Homewood, the Central Ave area in Reserve

 Pleasure Bend.

Your area may be experiencing wind induced surge from Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas. The National Weather Service is forecasting that the water will reach its highest level by late this evening. The forecast shows the winds from Hurricane Ike will begin to shift in a more favorable direction pushing the water back out of your area.

Sandbags are available at the Reserve Airport and at 425 Captain Bourgeois St in Laplace.

Motorists are advised to avoid driving in these areas that are experiencing high water. Any motorist driving in these areas without reason will be challenged by the St. John Sheriff's Department.

Please call 985-652-9569 for more information or to report water in your area. Again, this is Parish President Bill Hubbard and I ask you to stay tuned to Channel 15 and www.sjbparish.com for the latest news. Thank you for your time and please be safe and responsible as we get through these this situation." (AIRED LIVE ON CABLE AND TELEPHONE AT 5:00 PM) 

SCHOOLS: to re-open Monday, September 15, 2008. 

BLUE TARP REGISTRATION: CLOSED until further notice.  Please call     1-866-766-3258 for more information.

SANDBAGS:

Sandbags are available at: (bring your own shovels)

*Reserve Airport

*Captain Bourgeois St.

**ROAD CLOSURES: 

*U.S. 51 and I-10 both entrance and exit ramps closed due to high waters. 

*U.S. 51 and I-55 both entrance and exit ramps closed due to high waters. 

FOOD STAMPS REGISTRATION:   **Special times Sunday 1:00pm to 8:00pm

New Wine Christian Fellowship at 1929 West Airline Hwy in LaPlace. Registration will be from until September 17, 2008. Residents are required to bring proof of identification, income, and residency. Residents can also go to www.dss.state.la.us or www.sjbparish.com for more information and eligibility requirements.  For more information call 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578)

Reminder: Burning is illegal in St. John Parish per Ordinance: 93-66, Ch. 10 

GARBAGE COLLECTION: will resume on Monday, September 15, 2008. President Hubbard ordered 8 more trucks into the parish to assist with the garbage pick-up.  

DEBRIS: Due to Hurricane Ike, Debris crews will not be picking up debris today, Friday Sept. 12, 2008, for safety reasons. Please begin cleaning your property. Place all debris on the curb of your property.  Crews  will resume pick-up Saturday morning. PLEASE DO NOT PLACE DEBRIS IN THE DRAINAGE DITCHES AND CANALS residents are asked to begin cleaning their property and place their green debris in one pile at the edge of the road. Please separate green goods from white goods to assist in debris clean up.

COURTHOUSE:   HAS RE-OPENED. All sections (A, B, & C) will re-open.(Pending weather conditions brought on by Hurricane Ike. Criminal court that was set for LaPlace in Division A, on Monday, September 8, 2008 is reset to October 13, 2008 for the same time at the same place.