FRANKLIN, La. (KLFY) — Residents of St. Mary Parish are subject to a 5 p.m. curfew in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Francine.

St. Mary Parish President Sam Jones issued the curfew order just before 3 p.m. Wednesday. The curfew begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday and ends at 7 a.m. Thursday.

“This curfew prohibits and/or controls pedestrian and vehicular traffic, except essential emergency vehicles and personnel,” Jones said in the curfew order. “The curfew does not apply to anyone going to and from their place of employment for purposes of work or any other critical or essential business activity as specifically defined by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency.”

Previously, Jones declared a voluntary evacuation for the southern portion of the parish.

St. Mary Parish issues curfew starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday [Video]

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