Jackson Parish residents got good news on Tuesday evening when the updated forecast track of Hurricane Francine showed that the expected path had moved eastward, sparing north Louisiana from the brunt of the tropical system. 

On Monday it looked like Jackson Parish was going to be in the “cone” of the storm, which is where the worst conditions would exist. Fortunately the system, which is expected to be a Category 2 Hurricane when it is supposed to make landfall on the Louisiana coast on Wednesday evening, showed more movement to the east. 

Jackson Parish and Town of Jonesboro officials still recommend residents to take precautions against possible power outages by stocking up on supplies such as batteries and flashlights as rain and wind is expected from the outer bands.

Jonesboro Mayor J. “Spike” Harris announces that sandbags are available by calling Town of Jonesboro Public Works Department at (318) 259-5031, or if after hours of normal operation, at (318) 475-1445.