Only a week after tornadoes and thunderstorms hit southeast Louisiana, another severe weather event is trekking toward Baton Rouge and New Orleans, resulting in closures Wednesday.
Some parishes are also opening shelters for residents who don’t have homes or whose houses are FEMA trailers, travel trailers or modular home units, to stay safe from possible tornadoes.
The main threat will be significant damaging winds going over 70 mph, according to the National Weather Service. There will also be the potential for locally heavy rainfall and tornadoes.
Here is the list of shelters throughout the state, school closures and schedule changes. To read the weather forecast, click here.
SHELTERS
Terrebonne Parish
Houma, LA - Dumas Auditorium will serve as a temporary severe weather shelter starting at 3 p.m. for people residing in a FEMA or state travel trailer or modular home unit. The shelter is located at 301 W. Tunnel Blvd. and will be open until there is no longer a severe weather threat.
No food or bedding will be provided, and residents are encouraged to bring their own supplies. Pets are allowed on a leash or in a kennel.
The parish is encouraging residents in FEMA, state temporary housing or damaged homes to seek safe shelter in a relative's or friend’s home if possible.
St. John Parish
Laplace, LA - Shelter will open at 3 p.m at Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School Gymnasium at 3328 US-51.
Edgard, LA - Shelter will open at 3 p.m at West St. John High School Gymnasium at 480 LA-3127. The shelters will close when there is no longer a severe weather threat.
The parish is encouraging residents in FEMA, state temporary housing or damaged homes to seek safe shelter in a relative's or friend’s home if possible
St. James Parish
Convent, LA - St. James Parish is opening a shelter starting at 3:30 p.m. at Convent Community Shelter, located at 5775 Hwy 44.
For residents needing transportation to the shelter, please call transit at (225) 562- 2352.
CLOSURES
New Orleans
Streetcar services and the Algiers ferry have been suspended Wednesday due to the severe weather. The bus route to the West Bank will also be suspended until winds subside later this evening.
Parking restrictions on neutral grounds will be suspended from 3 p.m. Wednesday to 9 a.m. Thursday.
All New Orleans Public Libraries will close at 3 p.m.
Louisiana State University
LSU will close at 12:30 p.m. All Classes and activities scheduled for 12:30 p.m. or later on Wednesday are canceled.
Southern University
Southern University will close its Baton Rouge campus at 11 a.m. All classes and activities scheduled for 11 a.m. or later are canceled.
University of New Orleans
Classes at noon or later will move online Wednesday. University officials also urged non-essential employees to work remotely starting at noon.
New Orleans schools
Inspire NOLA schools have canceled all after-school activities.
East Baton Rouge schools
- East Baton Rouge Schools will go virtual Wednesday. Teachers and staff will be working remotely while administrative staff will be dismissed at noon.
- South Baton Rouge Charter Academy will have virtual instruction.
- Zachary schools are closing Wednesday.
- Dunham School will dismiss at noon. All after-school activities, including athletic games and practices, aftercare and study hall, are canceled Wednesday.
- Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School Baton Rouge will be dismissed early starting at 12:45 p.m. The fun run has been rescheduled to take place in the morning.
- Capitol High School will be going virtual.
- Parkview Baptist School is dismissing early as follows: High school, middle school and early childhood at noon. Elementary at 12:15 p.m. Preschool at 2 p.m. All after school practices, activities and Eagle Academy are canceled.
- St. Jean Vianney Catholic School is dismissing classes early at 12:15 p.m.
West Baton Rouge
West Baton Rouge Parish Schools will be closed Wednesday.
St. James Parish
St. James Parish Schools will have early dismissal. Head Start and high schools will dismiss at 1 p.m., and elementary schools will dismiss at 1:30 p.m. All after-school activities are canceled.
Ascension Parish
Ascension Public Schools campuses and offices will have a staggered early dismissal. Middle and high schools will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. Primary schools will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. District Offices will close at 1:30 p.m.
St. Tammany Parish
All after-school activities, including sports, clubs and events, have been canceled.
St. John Parish
St. John the Baptist Schools will be releasing students two hours early following the "Early Release" schedule.
Central Office and maintenance will close at 2:15 p.m.
Iberville Parish
All schools are shifting to remote learning.
St. Bernard Parish
All tutoring and after-school activities are canceled.
Pointe Coupee Parish
All schools and offices are closed Wednesday.
Tangipahoa Parish
All after-school activities are canceled.
Washington Parish
All after-school activities are canceled.
Livingston Parish
Schools will have an early release day for all students and employees. The district will follow its normal half-day schedule for class activity and food service. The district said the schedule will allow all drive-home bus activity to be off the roads by 1 p.m.
East Feliciana Parish
Schools will shift to online learning.
Assumption Parish
Schools will follow a half-day schedule. All school board offices will close at 1 p.m.
This post will be updated as more closure announcements are made. You can send closure information to tips@wwno.org.
