Re-entry Plan for Jefferson Parish
02 September 2008
Jefferson Parish is working with surrounding parishes and the State of Louisiana on re-entry.
The first two phases of re-entry, called Tier 1 and Tier 2, will begin simultaneously today, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, at noon. Tier 1 is made up of critical businesses and contractors and first responders. Tier 2 is made up of those businesses 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. To speed up re-entry for residents, the plan for Tier 3 business re-entry has been cancelled. After Tier 1 and Tier 2 re-entry is complete, the parish will be open to re-entry by all other businesses and all residents.
Parish departments, partner agencies and private companies are working as fast as possible to reach “sustainable, sanitary, safe living conditions.” Clean up by parish forces and restoration of services by utility companies is underway.
Some roads leading into the parish are not passable. Within the parish, over 120,000 Entergy customers lost electricity. Power needed for water treatment and sewerage treatment has not been restored. 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. The parish Streets Department is clearing major thoroughfares and will then move onto secondary streets.
There are no reports of street or structure flooding outside of the communities of Grand Isle and Lafitte.
Parish public schools and Archdiocesan parochial schools in Jefferson Parish will remain closed through the end of this week.
