Hurricane Relief/Help Information Thread

all of the ascensiob parish information yesterday was extremely useful. radio does have good info, but it has a br or no slant. have to get lucky to be listening at right time. and with things like they are, the radio can get to be depressing

an update tomorrow on power progress in ascension (gonzales) would be great.

everything else set aside, we are doing well.

thanks for this thread!

 

The St. James Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness along with the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced that ice is available at Taylor’s Express in Gramercy, Grand Point Grand in Grand Point and The Jubilee in Vacherie.
There will be only one bag per adult, on a first come first served basis.
A curfew is in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice.
An alcohol ban is also currently in effect. There is a limited amount of stores open with gasoline.

 

Grad,

This is what I've heard in the last 30 minutes regarding Ascension/Gonzales.

- Lamar Dixon Center: Distributing MRE's, Ice, and water
- Store Openings: Murphy's, Winn-Dixie, Leblancs
- Curfew: Not mandatory but suggested to stay off the streets between 8PM-6AM
- Power: Outages still reported all through Ascension, no estimate given on restoration.

 

Another update regrading Ascension:

- 80% of electrical customers are without power. 100 crews are currently in the area clearing roads for restoration efforts to begin. It sounds like power is going to be a problem for quite a while in Ascension.

- Lamar Dixon is out of ice and water, still have MRE's.

 

Terrebonne Parish remains closed to returns through Friday. Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet has ceded control of the local response to Hurricane Gustav to Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois, both officials said today.

Bourgeois said Claudet put him in charge of managing the disaster Tuesday based on the sheriff’s nearly three decades in law enforcement and past experience with hurricanes.
Jerry Richard, formerly the parish’s director of emergency preparedness, is now Bourgeois’ assistant, the sheriff said.

 

*Supply Locations Update*
The Governor’s Office announced these points of distribution locations and contacts. The sites are offering ice, water, food and tarps.

(Open now)

Acadia Parish:
Rayne Fire Department
316 South Adams Ave.
Rayne
Police Chief Carol Stelly
337-781-7783

Ascension Parish:
Lamar Dixon Center
9039 St. Landry Road
Gonzales
Rick Weber 225-621-8360; 225-621-3862 (fax)

Assumption Parish:
Lucky Hit Shopping Center
260 Spur Road
Napoleonville
John Boudreaux (director) 985-369-7351

Avoyelles Parish:
Parking lot on East Alton Street
Marksville
Anzell Jones (director) 318-253-4720

East Baton Rouge Parish:
Wal-Mart parking lot
14507 Plank Road
Baker
Dean Dozier 225-694-3737

Wal-Mart
10606 North Mall Drive
Baton Rouge
Dean Dozier 225-694-3737

Evangeline Parish:
627 West Lincoln Road
Ville Platte
Liz Hill 337-363-3267; 337-363-3345

Iberia Parish:
101 Main Street
Jeanerette
337-229-3033

1202 East Admiral Doyle St.
New Iberia
337-369-4427; 337-519-2575

Iberville Parish:
Iberville Multi-Purpose Center
61755 Bayou Road
Plaquemine
Laurie Dorian 225-687-5140

Jefferson Parish:
Alario Center
2000 Segnette Blvd.
Westwego
Leo Webb 504-349-5360

Lafourche Parish:
4876 Highway 1
Raceland
Lucy Cardinal 318-228-2038

Pointe Coupee Parish:
500 East Main St.
New Roads
Don Ewling 225-694-3737; 225-718-0841

Rapides Parish:
Sheriff’s Office warehouse (behind Coca-Cola plant on Highway 28 West)
435 John Allison Drive
Alexandria
Vince Meadows 318-419-2166

St. Charles Parish:
West Bridge Park – River Road
Intersection of I-310 at La. 18
Jim Polte 504-915-9036
Jason Passet 504-415-5199

St. Mary Parish:
116 Cotton Road
Patterson
985-395-8313

Terrebonne Parish:
346 Civic Center Drive
Houma

West Baton Rouge Parish:
850 8th St.
Port Allen

West Feliciana Parish:
West Feliciana Parish High School
Sheriff Austin Daniel 225-938-6333

(To be open by 6 p.m. today)

St. Helena Parish:
17911 Highway 43 North
Greensburg
Mark Harrel 225-222-3545; 225-938-5976

St. Martin Parish:
Park Hardy
1290 Rees St.
Breaux Bridge
Crip Cormier 337-319-0839; 337-332-2186

 

*SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS*

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says hotel costs for people who fled Hurricane Gustav will be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency..

Chertoff made the announcement Wednesday at a news conference in Baton Rouge with Gov. Bobby Jindal. Details on how much of an individual's bill will be covered were not immediately available.

It was unclear whether other evacuation costs, such as fuel and food, would also be covered under a recent presidential disaster declaration, FEMA spokesman Manuel Broussard said in a telephone interview.

While that decision is being made, evacuees should save receipts for gasoline and other expenses, and they should register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA, Broussard said.

 

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
Gustave Press Release 4 - 1600 Hrs - Update Page 2
~ MORE ~
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.”
Gustave Press Release 4 - 1600 Hrs - Update Page 3
~ MORE ~
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)
Gustave Press Release 4 - 1600 Hrs - Update Page 4
~ MORE ~
(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
Gustave Press Release 4 - 1600 Hrs - Update Page 5
~ MORE ~
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
Gustave Press Release 4 - 1600 Hrs - Update Page 6
before the court is advised to stay informed of recent updates. The 23​

​

rd JDC covers
Ascension, Assumption and St. James parishes.

​

 

BATON ROUGE FORCAST
Baton Rouge, LA (70801)

Extended forecastHigh/Low (° F)Precip. %Wednesday
Sep 3N/ATonights Low: 74° 50%Thursday

Sep 4Scattered T-Storms86° / 72° 50%Friday

Sep 5Scattered T-Storms88° / 70° 30%Saturday

Sep 6Mostly Cloudy90° / 67° 20%Sunday

Sep 7Sunny91° / 68° 20%Monday

Sep 8Sunny89° / 69° 20%Tuesday

Sep 9Sunny89° / 70° 20%Wednesday

Sep 10Mostly Sunny85° / 70° 20%Thursday

Sep 11Sunny88° / 71° 20%Friday

Sep 12Partly Cloudy87° / 70° 20%

 

thanks cali! just read all of this to family here. two nights in a row I have read it to everyone.

ps: they want less bad news and more good news tomorrow