State authorities warn that state government offices in St. John the Baptist and Plaquemines parishes will remain closed on Wednesday, September 5, due to continuing safety concerns following Hurricane Isaac.
FOX 8 News received this news release from St. John authorities Tuesday afternoon:
September 4, 2012 – Morning Update
REMINDER: As a safety precaution, please place generators in an open area. Do not keep them within enclosed doors.
POD Sites: Open from 9: 00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. MREs, tarps, water & ice are being distributed at the following locations:
1. East St. John Elementary
400 Ory Drive, LaPlace, LA 70068
2. Fifth Ward Elementary
158 Panther Drive, Reserve, LA 70084
3. Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet
240 LA Hwy 54 Mount Airy, LA 70076
4. St. John the Baptist Courthouse
2393 Hwy 18 Edgard, LA 70049
FEMA- St. John the Baptist Parish is one of 5 parishes approved for individual assistance (IA), disaster relief, and federal funding. Individuals and households who sustained losses from Hurricane Isaac and whose losses are not covered by insurance can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY).
The following documents are required for the Individual Assistance application process:
1. Social Security Number
2. Pre-disaster address
3. Telephone number to be contacted
4. Insurance information
5. Total household annual income
6. Bank Account Information
7. Description of losses caused by Hurricane Isaac
A Disaster Recovery Center has been opened by FEMA and is operating from 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. in the New Wine Parking Lot, 1929 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace. Times are subject to change based on the needs of the community. The Small Business Association is also located at the Disaster Recovery Center to provide information on low interest loans for small businesses and homeowners who have experienced damage.
FOOD STAMPS:
DCFS will be issuing emergency food stamps beginning Wednesday, September 5th from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at New Wine Christian Fellowship's Church Campus at 1929 W. Airline Highway, LaPlace.
Residents are strongly being encouraged to pre-apply. At the site, there will be three lines, one line for residents who have not pre-applied, one line for those who have and another line to pick up the card.
Food stamp distribution days will be organized by the first initial in the resident's last name. Residents with last names that begin with A through C will be seen on Wednesday, September 5. We are currently waiting on information for the other days and will distribute that information when get it.
You can pre-apply now for disaster food stamps and make things easier and quicker by visiting www.dss.louisiana.gov or by calling 1-888-LAHELPU (524-3578). Information needed for pre-application is as follows:
o Name
o Social Security Number
o Birth date for each household member
o Parish where you currently live
o Residential address
o Monthly income for each household member
o Liquid resources for each household member such as:
„X Cash on Hand
„X Checking Accounts
„X Savings Accounts
„X Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
„X Money Market Accounts
Please bring all proper documentation with you.
RED CROSS: Disaster Teams are in the area and providing damage assessment throughout the parish. Once assessments are done information regarding financial assistance will become available.
The American Red Cross is working with Kentucky Fried Chicken to deliver 500 hot meals, starting today, to area residents affected by Hurricane Isaac. The American Red Cross will give more detail on this as it will be a mobile POD.
DONATIONS AND ASSISTANCE:
1. The Donation Center located at the Old Rainbow Chevrolet building is open for distribution and is accepting donations from the public. This site is open between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. until supplies runs out.
2. Proctor & Gamble Relief Center
• Tide Loads of Hope: 300 West Airline Highway, LaPlace, in front of the Home Depot- 8AM-6PM- Residents can bring two loads of laundry per family. There are 32 washers and dryers on the truck.
• Duracell Rapid Responder: 8AM-10AM daily and visiting other locations of need upon request to give out batteries. Has a charging station for electronics.
• Charmin Restrooms: 1633 West Airline Highway LaPlace, in front of the Family Dollar store.
3. Celebration Church located on New Highway 51 is scheduled to open tomorrow Wednesday, September 5 at 10:00 a.m. for distribution of clothing, diapers, MREs, water, pantry items and cleaning supplies (while supplies last).
4. Winn-Dixie is in route with 18-wheeler deliveries of non-perishable food items to St. John Parish. Locations to be announced.
5. Currently at New Wine Christian Fellowship's campus, 1029 Airline Hwy. Laplace :
• FEMA is on-site running a Disaster Recovery Center.
• DCFS – will be issuing emergency food stamps on Wednesday, September 5th from 8:00am-6:00 pm.
• Mobile Medical Clinic is providing free medical visits Monday – Thursday 10-4.
• Mobile Mental Health Clinic is providing free counseling Monday – Friday 10-4.
• Mercy Chefs- will be preparing 5000 meals/day for area residents.
• Volunteer teams are being coordinated and sent out to clean homes that were flooded.
• Generators are available for loan for those who have no power.
• New Wine Christian Fellowship will be distributing food, water, ice and cleaning supplies.
Other donation centers and assistance are being coordinated with organizations. Anyone interested in setting up a donation center or wanting to send in donations, should call Dana Milioto at 985-652-9569 or email d.milioto@sjbparish.com.
EVACUATION PHONE LINE: EVACUATIONS: There were a total of 3936 evacuations. Call 2-1-1 for location information on evacuees and for shelter information.
More of our residents are returning home to focus on rebuilding and recovery after Hurricane Isaac. The temperatures are rising and many are still without power/AC. Health officials are reminding everyone to be vigilant regarding the prevention of heat stroke. If you'll be working outdoors, wear loose-fighting clothes and sunscreen, drink lots of water and rest frequently in a cool/shaded area. If you get sick from the heat, seek immediate medical attention.
DEBRIS REMOVAL:
DEBRIS PICK UP BEGINS TODAY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4: DRC, the debris removal company, will begin hauling construction and demolition (everything except white goods, vegetative debris, and hazardous waste) this morning. Vegetative debris is expected to be picked up beginning Thursday. Progressive, the garbage company, will continue picking up white goods (refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc).
For subcontractors interested in hauling debris please call 504-482-2848
Please be reminded debris must be separated into piles as listed below and documented before throwing away. Place debris near the curb; not in the street. Debris must be separated into vegetative (organic, trees, shrubs, stumps, etc), construction & demolition debris (any treated wood or lumber drywall, roofing materials), white goods (refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers), household hazardous waste, and e-waste (computers, televisions, etc).
The LA STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE has issued a CEASE AND DESIST ON OUTDOOR BURNING: Due to the significant amount of debris present as result of Hurricane Isaac and the possible threat to life and property from the burning of the debris, State Fire Marshal, H. Butch Browning has issued a cease and desist order for all private burning, pursuant to authority under R.S. 40:1602. Private burning shall only be allowed by permission of the local fire department or local government.
This order is effective as of September 3, 2012, and shall remain in effect for St. John the Baptist Parish and Plaquemines Parish until rescinded.
This ban shall not apply to prescribed burns by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, by those trained and certified by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, or by those who conduct prescribed burning as a "generally accepted agriculture practice" as defined by the Louisiana Right to Farm Law (R.S. 3:3601 et seq.).Violation of this order could result in civil penalties.
GARBAGE: Progressive Waste Solutions will have trucks servicing areas today, hoping to resume normal schedule this week.
A reminder to residents: All carts should be placed near the curb to be ready for collection. As a safety precaution, any streets that have standing water, low hanging wires, or are blocked by trees or poles will be serviced once the roadway is cleared. White goods (refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, and hot water heaters) should also be put to the curb for collection. Refrigerators and freezers must be clear of all food or it will not be picked up.
Please note it is not required to have an insurance assessment of materials before throwing debris away. However, it is important to photograph all debris being thrown away as proof for insurance agencies. When separating the materials, take a photo of each asset with the home in the background. Also create a descriptive list of all assets that were lost to correctly record all damages.
White goods are being picked up by the garbage service; however, all other debris will be picked up separately for residential properties.
WATER SUPPLY: We are currently under a Boil Water Advisory for the following areas in LaPlace due to a ruptured fire hydrant:
-100-150 block of Ormond
-500-545 block of Oak Alley
-500-544 block of Melrose
1005-11000 block of Madewood
The advisory is expected to be lifted by Wednesday morning.
POWER: 4986 without power, 74.97 % restored
Scouts will be dispatched to address-isolated reported trouble cases as needed. Residents should call 1-800-9OUTAGE to ensure proper recording.
Areas that are being serviced:
LaPlace- Rosenwald, Hwy 628 from Main to Spillway
Edgard- NW 13th
Wallace
Reserve
Robichaux to Farm Rd. (Robichaux will need to be inspected prior to restoration.)
Behind Wal-Mart- The LAKES, Carrollwood, Carmel Valley to Country Club
CURFEW: Curfew is currently between 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Motorists are advised to use alternate routes based on the roads that are currently open. Curfew is strictly enforced in areas that are flooded and without power. Checkpoints at parish lines will no longer be enforced.
MEDICAL: River Parishes Hospital in LaPlace is open and fully functioning.
MAJOR ROAD CLOSURES: For travel information, call 5-1-1 or visit www.lsp.org
I-10 – all four lanes are open for travel.
I-10 at Belle Terre –all on/off ramps are OPEN.
I-55-on/off ramps are OPEN.
I-10 east off ramp at US 51 is closed due to high water.
Airline Highway closed at LA 22 (Ascension Parish)
Hwy 641 between Airline to the Gramercy exit is closed.
