The first blast of winter will descend on Jackson Parish on Saturday with freezing rain/sleet and possible snow expected to indundate the area by mid morning and continue through Sunday evening.
To be aware of what is being done by Jackson Parish authorities and organizations the Jackson Parish Journal is issuing a Winter Storm Warning special edition.
DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY
SUBMITTED BY JACKSON PARISH POLICE JURY
WHEREAS, the Parish of Jackson is threatened with bitterly and dangerously cold temperatures across the parish over the next week, along with the probability of significant weather precipitation at times during the same period. Jackson Parish has increased the urgency to prepare for this emergency.
WHEREAS, due to the threat of severe weather as a result of those wintry storms to the Parish of Jackson, immediate emergency action may be required to minimize damaging effects to the public and private property of the citizens of the Parish of Jackson; and
WHEREAS, declaring a state of emergency will facilitate emergency action for the protection of the citizens and property within Jackson Parish and may expedite the use of parish resources and may require a request(s) for deployment of State resources to provide the necessary assistance to Jackson Parish in response and recovery efforts.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Todd Culpepper, President of the Jackson Parish Police Jury, by authority vested in me by the Louisiana Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S.29:721, do hereby proclaim a State of Emergency to exist in the Parish of Jackson, and all Emergency Preparedness plans be activated. It is further announced that Bentley Williams, Director of Emergency Preparedness, is hereby designated as the point of contact for all activities related to this emergency.
THIS PROCLAMATION ISSUED 23rd day of January, 2026, at Jonesboro, Louisiana, and effective at the time of issuance.
Charles Garrett Community Center to act as Warming Shelter
Per the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO), the Charles Garrett Community Center will open at 18:00 hours (6:00 pm) on January 23, 2026, as a warming shelter and will remain open throughout the duration of the winter storm.
The community center will be monitored on-site by Deputies from the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Jonesboro Police Department will provide transportation to the warming shelter as needed.
Please call (318) 259-9021 unless it is an emergency.
The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office will assist medical personnel and elderly care personnel to their place of employment as needed.
The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office will also have additional communication and patrol staff available to facilitate the needs of our parish.
Please know that weather conditions may lead to a slower-than-normal response time.
The JPSO Senior Citizens staff will be calling to check on the elderly throughout the winter weather event. You are asked to make the JPSO aware if you know someone who needs an in-person visit.
Also, if you must be on the roads, you are asked to exercise the utmost caution due to icy conditions and limit unnecessary travel.
SCHOOL INFORMATION
Submitted by William “Billy” Carter, Superintendent of the Jackson Parish School District
There will be no Saturday School on January 24th. Also, member schools of the Jackson Parish School District will be closed on Monday, January 26, and Tuesday, January 27. At this time, the plan is for schools to reopen on Wednesday, January 28. The Truancy Parent Meeting that was scheduled for Monday, January 26 for Quitman and Weston High Schools has also been cancelled. The Jackson Parish School District will update you with any additional closures or openings as decisions are made.
