JENNINGS – Jeff Davis Parish emergency officials are keeping a close eye on Hurricane Ida as it makes its way to the Gulf of Mexico with a major landfall projected late Sunday or early Monday near Vermilion Bay.

A voluntary evacuation has been called for low-lying areas in Jeff Davis Parish, according to Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Angie Theunnisen. Residents in low-lying, flood prone areas are urged to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Ida’s landfall on Sunday evening.

No transportation will be provided.

“We need to watch it, which is what we normally do when there is something brewing in the Gulf of Mexico,” Theunissen said Friday. “This is not our first rodeo.”

No evacuations are currently planned, but residents should remain vigilant for any potential western shift to the storm’s path as the parish remains in the forecast cone of uncertainty, she said.

The parish also remains under a hurricane watch.

“Hopefully we will be on the good side and not have any effects,” Theunissen said. “All we can do is pray.”

Residents are encouraged to access the Jeff Davis Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness’ new Facebook page for updates.

Residents may also call the parish’s Emergency Office Center at 337-256-5588. The phone line is not currently actively manned 24/7, but calls will be forwarded to Theunissen’s cell phone.

“People do not need to be calling 911 to see what the weather is doing,” she said. “Please don’t call 911 unless it is an emergency.”

Jeff Davis Parish School Superintendent Kirk Credeur announced Friday that all parish schools will be closed on Monday due to the uncertainty of the storm’s path.

Monday will be a virtual learning day for all students through Google Classroom, if electricity and internet service is available.

All schools are prepared to handle device checkout for students who indicated a need for a device in case of emergency school shutdowns.

Home internet/Wifi access is required for device checkout, as well as all signed device usage agreement/optional maintenance plan forms.

Devices checked out by parents/students are expected to be returned when schools reopen.