Hurricane Harvey Louisiana: Jefferson Davis Parish Schools Close

JENNINGS, LA — As the rest of Hurricane Harvey batters southwest Louisiana, all public schools in Jefferson Davis Parish closed Monday and Tuesday, and will continue to be closed Wednesday.

The school system said on its website that all events with the Louisiana High School Athletic Association were also cancelled this week and will resume on Monday. The agency oversees and promotes the interscholastic athletic competitions of all high schools in the state. There are 14 schools in the system.

Harvey, which is now a tropical storm, forced hundreds of people to evacuate from a neighborhood in Lake Charles on Monday night, sometimes in chest-deep water. (For more information on Harvey and other Louisiana stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards told reporters he expects the threat to rise as outer rain bands sweep into Louisiana, adding, "This is going to play out over several days."

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for all of southeast Louisiana, southwest Mississippi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast through Thursday. Forecasters say up to 8 inches of rain will be possible through Thursday, with higher amounts possible.

Forecasters also warn of isolated tornadoes in Louisiana, especially in areas near the coast.

Image via Shutterstock