ASCENSION PARISH RECOVERY EFFORTS UPDATE
GONZALES, LOUISIANA, SEPTEMBER 3, 2008:
Ascension Parish President Tommy Martinez in coordination with Office of Homeland
Security has released the following updates on Ascension Parish recovery efforts:
Utilities:
Electric:
DEMCO is waiting on main substations repairs. They have over 100 people in the
field as well as contractors working. Main lines will be the first up – harder to reach,
smaller roads, especially those with tree damage, may take longer.
ENTERGY: Infrastructure damage assessment as we speak, 85% complete; however,
cannot begin any restoration until assessment is complete. Entergy informed OEP
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they have over 100 crews working in Ascension, right now clearing roads for
Emergency Vehicles and restoration preparations.
Sewage:
Power outages are causing problems with sewage. Most of the sewage systems in the
Parish are privately owned, these are being pumped down as fast as possible. These
systems are privately owned and maintained and are permitted and regulated by the
State Department of Health and Hospitals. Residents should reduce water
consumption and waste until electricity is restored to their subdivision.
Shelter:
Dutchtown High School has 150 residents still in shelter. People are returning home at
this time. The Dream Center shelter in Donaldsonville is now closed. Residents are
returning to their homes.
Dutchtown High School is the only shelter in Ascension Parish that remains open at this
time and will remain open until power in the Parish is restored.
Medical:
All Hospitals in Ascension are on generator- power and waiting on electricity. Prevost
has 10 beds available, St. Elizabeth has 4 beds on emergency stand-by, and Promise
Hospital is full at this time.
Update for residents requiring WIC Vouchers:
Due to power outages the Health Unit is
unable to print vouchers at this time. Kenny Matassa, with Ascension Parish Health
Department, has released the following, “we are in contact with the Governor’s Office
and the Department of Health and Hospitals and are awaiting alternate arrangement
information. As soon as we have this we will make sure the public is made aware.”
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Emergency Supplies:
At this time both Lamar Dixon and the Lemann Center are out of ICE and WATER
supplies. Lamar Dixon will remain open until MRE’S and limited available tarps
are distributed. Resupply is scheduled for the next 24 hours, no definite time is
available. Once one becomes available we will let the public know.
Relief Supplies are being distributed to Ascension Parish residents at the Lamar-
Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales on the east side of Ascension and at the Lemann
Center in Donaldsonville on the west side of Ascension. These two facilities will be
the relief supplies destination point for residents. Presently, MRE’s, ice and water are
available at these facilities, at this time we have received only 10% of our allotment of
tarps. These will be distributed on a first come basis. No information is available at
this time as to when the remaining tarps will arrive. This information will be made as
soon as it is confirmed by the Office of Emergency Preparedness.
Distribution of all emergency supplies will be handled in a Drive-Thru fashion.
Please remain in your vehicle. Residents are asked to present proper Ascension
Parish identification to receive goods.
The facility will remain open while goods MRE’s and tarps are available and will
reopen upon resupply. We are on a 24 hour resupply schedule, exact resupply times
are not known at this time.
Roads:
On the east side, almost all of the roads are open with at least 1 lane except for areas
with down power lines and poles.
Current Road Closures Due to Flooding: (These are all impacted by the Amite and
Diversion waterways)
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(Diversion Canal Area)
Amite River Road North of the Diversion Canal
(Summerfield Area)
Summerfield South off of Hwy. 431 and Airport Road
(Lake Martin Area)
Gary Babin Road and Lake Street
On the Westside of Ascension, all but four roads are cleared as of noon, according to
DPW Director Bob Turner. There are no reports of street flooding on the west side of
Ascension Parish.
Flooding/ River Stages:
Pumps were turned on and all rivers were brought to normal levels. Some flooding is
occurring in localized areas because of storm drains being blocked with debris. East
side drainage crews are hand-clearing blocked culverts affecting these areas.
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Amite River at Port
Vincent. It is expected to exceed the flood stage by four-tenths when it crests at 1 a.m.
on Saturday. It is predicted to be back at flood stage (8 feet) on Sunday.
They forecast moderate flooding for Bayou Manchac. Its’ flood stage is 9 feet and is
expected to crest by Friday afternoon at 13 feet.
Debris Removal & Clean Up
Debris removal services are expected to begin next week. Contracts are being put in
place at this. Residents may bring tree debris only, to the Ascension Civic Center in
Sorrento from 9 am - 5 pm daily.
Parish President Tommy Martinez is asking parish residents to refrain from burning
debris at this time. Because neighboring windows are open due to power outages and
the possibility of medical complications, such as asthma, President Martinez is
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requesting residents to please hold off burning until power is restored to your area or
bring your tree debris to the Ascension Civic Center.
Mosquito Control
Mosquito Control Manager David Matassa has stated that spraying is currently
occurring seven (7) days a week. He would like to remind residents to empty standing
water from containers, planters, pools and other water holding areas to prohibit the
breeding of mosquitoes.
Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley Update
Sheriff Wiley has released the following information/ update:
The Curfew has been lifted in Ascension Parish; however, it will remain under a day to
day evaluation. The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office is currently double and triple
staffed due to power outages. They are monitoring traffic flow at intersections and long
lines at retail outlets. “There are encouraging signs of the revitalization of Ascension’s
retail market and I ask Ascension residents to please have patience during this time. “
Schools and Court
Schools in Ascension Parish will remain closed until further notice.
The 23rd Judicial District Court announced today that all court proceedings are
suspended for the remainder of the week. Court officials will meet on Friday and make
a determination at 4 p.m. as to when court will reconvene. Anyone having business
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before the court is advised to stay informed of recent updates. The 23
rd JDC covers
Ascension, Assumption and St. James parishes.
