Tagged: St. James Parish

Nasty weather, including a chance of strong tornadoes and howling thunderstorms, is forecast on Christmas Day along the Gulf Coast from east Texas to north Florida. But officials say it will hold off long enough for Christmas Eve bonfires to light the way for Pere Noel along the Mississippi River northwest of New Orleans.

The National Weather Service says people should prepare their yards for high winds Monday, securing lawn furniture or anything that might be blown into a home or car.

Officials say Hurricane Isaac caused no catastrophic damage to St. James Parish public schools, but the district needs to spend $500,000 to $750,000 for storm repairs.

Jim Mitchell, administrative director of business services for the district, told school board members Wednesday the Federal Emergency Management Agency would reimburse the district for at least 75 percent of eligible costs because the parish has been declared a disaster zone.