Hurricane Gustav - Jefferson Parish Update

According to Ivor van Heerden, coastal geologist at LSU's Louisiana Hurricane Center, large sections of the West Bank could see the surge flowing over parts of the yet-to-be-completed levee system.

Unfortunately, lower Jefferson Parish has levees only five-foot high which is substantially less than the 13 to 18 feet-high levees along Lake Ponchartrain.



Jefferson Parish Levees


New Orleans Lakefront Levees

Consequently, if there is a 12-foot storm surge, lower Jefferson Parish will be inundated with 12 feet of water.

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In other news, a curfew was instituted for all residents of Jefferson Parish at 9 PM, 8/31/08, to be enforced for 24 hours thereby ending at 9 PM, 9/1/08.

During this time, residents will not be allowed to leave their property until the curfew is lifted by Jefferson Parish officials. Residents should expect no government, law, fire, or Emergency Medical services. As a reminder, gas stations, drug stores, grocery stores, etc. will also be closed.

Jefferson Parish law enforcement agencies and the National Guard will be patrolling throughout the parish and cities to protect the property of citizens while they are away.

Meanwhile, all nursing homes in Jefferson Parish have been evacuated.

The West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero will remain open despite earlier reports that it was closing.

Also: The Jawa Report