Jeffferson Parish Re-Entry Plan Being Set
02 September 2008
Clean up and Restoration of Services Underway
Jefferson Parish is in the process of assessing damage from Hurricane Gustav and planning the re-entry process for its citizens and businesses.
Clean up by parish forces and restoration of services by utility companies is underway.
Over 120,000 Entergy customers lost electricity and tours of the parish by Parish President Aaron Broussard, Parish Council members and parish work crews revealed the extent of damage. Power lines and poles are down, some blocking streets, and many traffic signals are down and blocking some intersections. Trees are toppled and many tree limbs and other debris are obstacles on roadways and some billboards were shredded by the storm.
Although a number of fences were pushed over by high winds and there was some damage to metal structures such as carports and storage sheds, most residences and businesses were spared major damage and there were no reports of street or structure flooding outside of the communities of Grand Isle and Lafitte.
The parish is working with surrounding parishes and the State of Louisiana on re-entry but the parish remains under a mandatory evacuation order and residents will not be allowed to return today, Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Parish public schools will remain closed this week and Archdiocesan school officials said they will concur with the civil authorities regarding reopening of Jefferson Parish parochial schools, which will also remain closed through the end of this week.
An announcement regarding all phases of re-entry will be made today so that all citizens and businesses can return to the parish this week.
Critical businesses and contractors and first responders will make up the Tier One re-entry, followed by businesses in Tier 2 which are those necessary to prepare for the return of residents, such as groceries, pharmacies, gas stations and banks. Tier 1 and Tier 2 agencies and businesses must have “re-entry placards” which are credentials allowing them to enter and move about the parish. Tiers 1 and 2 re-entry will be followed by Tier 3 businesses and then an opening of the parish to all residents.
Parish President Aaron Broussard said that parish departments, partner agencies and private companies are working as fast as possible to reach “sustainable, sanitary, safe living conditions” before opening the parish to repopulation.
The current evacuation order includes a round-the-clock curfew. Anyone off their private property and without proper credentials to be in Jefferson Parish is subject to being stopped by law enforcement and even arrested if they cannot justify their activity. The parish has a strong law enforcement presence to protect residents’ property and prevent lawlessness and to allow public works and utility crews to do their work most efficiently.
