Katrina Recovery - Area Roundup 9/7/05

Orleans Parish

- Forced evacuation in process per Mayor Nagin's proclamation.
- Widespread gas leaks in city.
- "Sewerage and Water Board Executive Director, Marcia St. Martin, said the water is running again on the east bank of Orleans Parish, with pressure sufficient to fight fires. Water service on the West Bank has never been interrupted."
- Superdome may have significant structural damage. The interior was trashed. Estimated damage is $400,000,000.
- Orleans Parish school info available here. Telephone info at 1-877-771-5800.
- Several pumps operating to remove flood waters. A barge with 24 more pumps expected soon.
- Entergy has restored power to some parts of Central Business District. Power promised to entire CBD and Algiers within next two days.
- Algiers Point ferry and landing are available to move equipment and supplies between the east and west banks of the Mississippi River.

JEFFERSON PARISH NOTE

Residents are reminded that authorities will close the parish Thursday at 6 pm to continue its clean up in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Sixteen Jefferson Parish public schools are usable, eight have isolated damage and six have major damage from Hurricane Katrina with 54 schools still to be evaluated.

Jefferson Parish (West Bank)

- Power is restored to most areas south of the Westbank Expressway.
- Home Depot is reported open in Gretna.

Jefferson Parish (East Bank)

- The area between the Causeway and the 17th Street Canal is still flooded.

St. Bernard Parish

"If you dropped a bomb on this place, it couldn't be any worse than this," said Ron Silva, a district fire chief.

They said while federal help came slowly to New Orleans, it's even been slower to their outlying area of some 66,000 people on Louisiana's southeastern edge.

"It's Day 8, guys. Everything was diverted first to New Orleans, we understand that. But do you realize we got 18 to 20 feet of water from the storm, and we've still got 7 to 8 feet of water?" Silva said.

- All schools were flooded and most remain underwater.
- School teacher/staff will be paid through the month, but no other promises.
- From the school message board, "If you can find employment, secure it. If not, file for unemployment benefits."

St. Tammany Parish

- Six confirmed hurricane-related deaths in the parish. Coroner believes there may be as many as 75 to 100 fatalities that are indirectly connected to Katrina.
- In Covington, boil order lifted, water is safe to drink.
- Power out in many areas. Major hospitals have power restored.
- Some stores operating with limited hours.
- Parish-wide ban on alcohol sales.
- Dumpsters being placed in neighborhoods and public locations to collect garbage.
- Outdoor burning banned.
- Curfew set between 9pm and 7am.
- Officials seek October 3rd reopening of parish schools.

[Update]

<> From an earlier report, in Violet, a community east of New Orleans in St. Bernard Parish, 22 people were found dead after having lashed themselves together to escape the flood waters. According to Sheriff Jack Stephens, about 100 bodies have been found so far and he expects the total will be at least five times that amount.

<> About 500 of New Orleans' 1,700 police officers are still missing eight days after Katrina.