Hurricane Season 2008 - St. Charles Parish Video Archive

Hurricane Thank You From Parish Council and Parish President

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/10/hurricane-thank-you-from-parish-council.html

Hurricane Statistics Video

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/hurricane-statistics-video.html

Thank You Video

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/thank-you.html

Sandbagging Update - Cottage at Beaupre

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/10/sandbagging-update-video-archive.html

High Water at Cajun Paradise, Paradis

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/video-high-water-near-cajun-paradise.html

Willowridge Street Flooding, 9/14/08

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/willowridge-street-flooding-91408.html

Scenes from Hwy. 90, Evangeline Road, Bayou Gauche, Spillway, etc.

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/scenes-from-hwy-90-bayou-gauche-bonnet.html

Hurricane Ike Flooding - Sept. 13

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/hurricane-ike-flooding-sept-13.html

Bayou Gauche / Des Allemands Flooding, Levee Building

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/bayou-gauche-des-allemands-flooding.html

Debris Removal Update

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/debris-removal-update.html

Recovery Assistance Information Video

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/hurricane-gustav-recovery-assistance.html

Gustav West Bank Tour Part II

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/westbank-tour-part-ii.html

Re-Entry Press Conference

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/finally-re-entry-press-conference-video.html

Gustav East Bank Tour

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/east-bank-tour.html

Gustav West Bank Tour

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/west-bank-tour.html

Barge Accident, Water Intake Scenes

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/barge-water-intake-scenes.html

Gustav Hahnville Scenes

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/hahnville-scenes.html

Gustav First Look - Hahnville Courthouse

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/gustav-first-look.html

St. Charles Parish Preparations

http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/08/video-st-charles-parish-preparations.html

Court hearing postponed by the evacuation?

Any court hearings that were postponed due to the hurricane evacuation will be rescheduled by each judge for his individual division of court. Anyone whose hearing was postponed but has not received notice of a new court date should contact the judge's office for that division of court to be advised of the rescheduled date for his/her hearing. 

-- From Judge Robert Chaisson

Hurricane Statistics Video

Videography by Melanie Worrall

Blue Roof Program will close Sept. 25

The FEMA Blue Roof Program being operated from the Luling VFW Hall will cease operation at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25. This will be the last day to sign up at this location.

Disaster Food Stamps Available through Sept. 26

Disaster Food Stamps site on Hwy. 90 in Boutte will be open through Friday, Sept. 26, according to a Louisiana Department of Social Services official.

The Council on Aging location in Hahnville will also accept applications from elderly or disabled residents through that date.

Applicants who applied at the Alario Center must call or come into the St. Charles Parish office  for assistance if they are experiencing any problems with their EBT Cards. The Alario Center does not have computers to check the system. The local office can handle most DFSP card  problems regardless of where the application was submitted. Applicants DO NOT have to travel back to the parish they applied in. 

Blue Roof program CLOSED Saturday, Sept. 20

The Blue Roof Program at the Luling VFW Hall will be CLOSEd this Saturday, Sept. 20 due to a prior booking at the hall. For more information on the program, call 1-888-ROOF-BLU.

Food Stamp Applications at Council on Aging

St. Charles Council on Aging, Inc. will assist disabled and elderly residents with Disaster Food Stamp Applications at 626 Pine Street, in Hahnville, beginning Friday, Sept. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

THANK YOU.

Videography by Melanie Worrall

Debris pickup update - Sept. 17

The second pass of debris removal will begin Monday, Sept. 22, Parish President V.J. St. Pierre said this afternoon.

All residents are asked to place the last of their storm debris curbside before Monday for this final pickup.

Please remember to separate 'green' debris (branches, leaves, etc.) from construction debris such as fencing and roofing materials.

Pickup along state highways should begin on Sept. 18, according DOTD officials.

Video - High Water near Cajun Paradise, Paradis

Water covers Old Spanish Trail near Cajun Paradise.

High Water Reports for Sept. 16

The parish is currently monitoring the following areas due to high water. Please be careful as some roads may have standing water. The parish has put out signs alerting drivers to these dangers.

• Cajun Paradise and Old Spanish Trail, Boutte. Water is over the road at this intersection. High water from the marsh is coming in underneath a nearby railroad trestle and filling ditches. 

• Beaupre and Cottage Drive, Luling. Public Works crews have completed sandbagging to control some overtopping of the spoil levee in this area, which is out of sight of residential homes. The water had been going into the Cousins Canal. The overtopping has been stopped, but the parish continues to keep watch. Public Works found the issue early this morning during routine levee monitoring.

• Hahnville High School, Boutte. The small spoil levee behind Hahnville High School did experience some overtopping yesterday and this morning. Crews have corrected this with sandbags and clay. They continue to monitor the area for additional failures.

• Magnolia Ridge, Boutte. Water here is covering the road at almost 3 feet in places at the southern end of the road. Public Works officials say water levels appear to be static and are expected to begin receding.

• Bayou Des Allemands. Crews continue to monitor this area for any overtopping or trouble with the temporary flood control measures placed here, which include flood control tubes and plastic-wrapped sand.

• Evangeline Road, Montz. Water continues to cover the road. Motorists are asked to be cautious.

Gustav / Ike disaster-related tax relief

The IRS and Louisiana Department of Revenue recently announced that local residents and businesses may qualify for disaster-related tax relief. Click below for more information from both agencies:

IRS Tax Relief

La. Department of Revenue Tax Relief

Water finally receding

Water is receding in Willowridge and other areas this morning. Water has moved off the streets but is still high in ditches. Residents are asked to stay out of flood waters due to snakes and other water-borne dangers.

According to EOC the storm surge associated with Hurricane Ike reached 4.2 feet. Gustav's surge only reached a height of 3.15 feet. A little more than a foot made a big difference in this case, as Bayou Gauche suffered its highest flood levels in decades.

If you or someone you know needs assistance in the aftermath of Ike, please contact EOC at 985-783-5050. An emergency coordinator will direct you to available resources. 

SCP Public Schools resume tomorrow

Classes in St. Charles Parish Public Schools will resume tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 15, 2008.

Willowridge Street Flooding 9/14/08

Taken at 2 p.m. Sept. 14, 2008. Videography by Melanie Worrall.

Willowridge - Sandbags available

Sandbags are now available at the corner of Willowridge and Choctaw Drive in Luling.

Levee riding prohibited

Residents in the Bayou Gauche and Des Allemands are not allowed to ride ATVs on any levees. The St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office will arrest those who are in violation of this rule.

Willowridge Update

St. Charles Parish residents who are signed up through EOC's telephone alert system received a message this afternoon regarding rising water in the Willowridge subdivision in Luling:

Water in the Willowridge area is rising and may continue to rise. We expect some possible street flooding due to this, but at this time we don’t anticipate any homes flooding due to the rising water.

The ring levee behind this subdivision has been experiencing seepage since this morning.

A front is now bringing winds out of the southwest, which is preventing quick receding today as had been expected. As water is receding from areas near Hwy. 90, that water is now filling the swamps and marshland behind the subdivisions south of 90 in Luling.

Please check the blog later this afternoon for video of this area.

Water in Ama ditches

Rising water from the Hwy. 90 area has made its way into Ama drainage ditches this morning. We do not expect water to get high enough in this area to get into homes.

We have had reports that the water does have a smell. Wastewater officials have confirmed to EOC that the smell is from the water itself, and NOT from a sewer lift station overflow.

Morning Update 9/14/08

Reports from EOC this morning:

• Water levels have crested and are beginning to recede, but residents should expect high water conditions for at least the next 72 hours.

• There has been some seepage and overtopping of the ring levee behind Luling's Willowridge and Willowdale subdivisions in at least one area. We DO NOT expect this to threaten any homes, but it may begin filling ditches.

• The water is receding over Hwy. 90 near the Davis Diversion. It is now passable and down to one lane.

• Water levels have risen even more in Bayou Des Allemands. Parish workers are still sandbagging to correct at least one breech of temporary flood fight measures on Up the Bayou Road. 

• Water is rising in the ditches in Ama.

Scenes from Hwy. 90, Bayou Gauche, Bonnet Carre Spillway, Evangeline Road in Montz

Videography by Melanie Worrall

Food Stamps CLOSED on Sunday

Due to problems servicing the port-o-lets at the food stamp location in Boutte, it will be CANCELLED for tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 14. It is expected to re-open Monday.

Hwy. 90 Eastbound now CLOSED

EOC reports that Hwy. 90 Eastbound is closed between Luling and Avondale due to high water.

Please use Barton Ave. to River Road as a detour.

Entergy Update

According to Entergy there are 10 customers in St. Charles Parish without power.

Hurricane Ike Flooding - Sept. 13

See entry below for information on this video. East Bank video coming later this evening...

Afternoon update 9/13/08

Just got back from a tour of Bayou Gauche, Des Allemands and Willowdale... things are looking good as we start to bid Ike a fond farewell...

• While Bayou Gauche Island and other areas outside levee protection have flooded, the levee system surrounding the subdivisions in Bayou Gauche and Des Allemands has kept water out of hundreds of homes. On the island, residents are still sandbagging in an attempt to keep water out of their homes. I would estimate the water is at least a foot and a half deep over most of the island. One resident I talked to said his houseboat had floated and crashed up the bayou, and all the crab traps he set in Lake Salvador are likely destroyed. He is moving to Brookhaven, Miss.

• Public Works crews are actively engaged in a flood fight on Up the Bayou Road in Des Allemands. I watched them replenish and build temporary earthen levees along the bayou. There is some water on the road in low areas, but the levees are protecting the houses very well. On Down the Bayou Road, water was splashing over the bulkhead, but not overtopping it. Lafourche residents across the bayou were loading and throwing sandbags to protect their property.

• There is still no sign of flooding in Willowdale or other parts of Luling. But water has crept up onto Highway 90 past the Davis Diversion near the St. Charles / Jefferson parish line. This afternoon it was still passable, but down to one lane in two areas. It seemed as if the water was rising a bit still, but it should be receding soon. It was quite an impressive sight; with flooding on both sides of the highway.

• Entergy this afternoon says there are about 40 customers without power in St. Charles, in Destrehan, Luling, Norco and Paradis. These outages are due to problems with individual homes, a company spokesperson said.

• Pictures and video of all affected areas are coming soon, including Evangeline Road in Montz and footage of the Bonnet Carre Spillway filled with storm surge from the lake. 

Reports from this morning 9/13/08

• Temporary levees of sand and plastic are seeping across the roadway in the 200 - 400 block of Up the Bayou Road in Des Allemands. The water height on the road is about 2 inches. Public Works crews are out this morning sandbagging this area.
  
  
• Bayou Gauche Island is entirely underwater. Public Works is also providing more sandbags in this area.
  
  
• Water has blocked Hwy. 90 near the Davis Diversion and Jefferson / St. Charles line in at least two separate areas. The highway is down to one lane in these areas.  The road is still passable, but vehicles have to drive through high water. However, so far water levels in drainage ditches in the Willowridge / Willowdale area are actually lower than yesterday.
  
  
• Evangeline Road in Montz has been barricaded. Water is coming over the tracks near Airline Hwy.
  
  
• Water levels should begin falling early this afternoon.
  
  
• Entergy reports there are 190 customers still left without power this morning. These are scattered in Luling, Bayou Gauche, Destrehan, and other areas.

STORM SURGE PEAK NEARING

EOC Director Tab Toxler this morning said he expects water levels to peak early this afternoon. If levels should rise, it would be no more than another 6 inches.

Overnight water overtook the bulkhead along Down the Bayou Road in Des Allemands, but did not spill over the flood control tubes and temporary levees.

Water levels outside the levee protection in Bayou Gauche rose overnight as well, but there are no reported problems otherwise.

More to come...

HHS reschedules football game

The Hahnville High Fighting Tigers were unable to reschedule the game versus the Baker Buffaloes. They are now scheduled to play South Plaquemines High School Monday, Sept. 15 at Hahnville High School. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

East Bank Farmer's Market closed Saturday

Due to high winds, the East Bank Farmer's Market will be closed Sept. 13. It will re-open next weekend.

Photos - Hurricane Ike's Effects on Bayou Gauche, Des Allemands

Bayou Gauche / Des Allemands Flooding, Levees Video

Videography by Melanie Worrall

Hurricane Ike Statement #4

ST. CHARLES PARISH WAITING ON RISING WATER; 

WASTEWATER SYSTEM GIVEN ALL-CLEAR

Hurricane Ike Update #4 - 5:10 p.m. 9/12/08

Wind-driven water from Hurricane Ike today covered parts of Bayou Gauche Island as St. Charles Parish Public Works crews continue to shore up flood protection around Des Allemands and Paradis.

Flood control tubes and temporary earthen levees made of plastic-wrapped sand lined Bayou Des Allemands, while residents and officials continue to keep a close watch on rising water. 

As southerly tropical storm force winds continue to hammer St. Charles Parish, the water is expected to rise, especially in the parish's southernmost areas. There remains the possibility of street flooding in Luling's Willowdale and Willowridge subdivisions, and levees elsewhere could be tested.

The St. Charles Parish Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness continues to ask that residents of Bayou Gauche and Des Allemands remain vigilant in paying attention to water levels. Due to the potential of rising water, isolated evacuations in areas south of Highway 90 may be necessary if conditions exist for an imminent flood.

Officials with the Pontchartrain Levee District, which oversees the hurricane protection levee on the East Bank along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, expects storm surge from the lake to reach the levee itself. But water levels are expected to be relatively low and out of overtopping range. 

Entergy reports 445 customers remain without power in St. Charles this evening. These outages will persist overnight. Power restoration crews are standing down because of high winds. The outages are concentrated in Destrehan, Luling, Norco and Paradis.

Department of Wastewater officials this afternoon gave an all-clear with regard to the sewer system. Residents may resume normal water usage.

Sandbags continue to be available at Badeaux Lane in Bayou Gauche and under the bridge in Des Allemands. Please bring your own shovel.

The parish remains under a tropical storm warning, tornado watch and coastal flood warning. Weather conditions related to Ike are expected to subside Saturday evening.

St. Charles Parish residents are urged to stay tuned to Cable Channel 6, http://www.stcharlesgov.net/ and 1370 AM for further updates.

Wastewater system back online

The St. Charles Parish Department of Wastewater is reporting that residents may begin regular water usage.

Unemployment Assistance CLOSED this weekend

Unemployment Assistance through the Louisiana Workforce Commission office on Paul Maillard Road in Luling will be closed this weekend due to Hurricane Ike. The program will begin again on Monday.

For more information, visit http://stcharlesgov.blogspot.com/2008/09/disaster-unemployment-assistance.html.

Hurricane Ike Statement #3

IKE ALREADY CAUSING POWER OUTAGES; RESIDENTS ASKED TO LIMIT WATER USAGE

Hurricane Ike Statement #3 - Noon, Sept. 12, 2008

Tropical Storm force winds from the outer bands of Hurricane Ike are causing power outages across St. Charles Parish, according to Entergy.

Several feeder lines have been damaged, and the outages affect slightly more customers on the West Bank, Entergy spokesperson Doug Rhodes said. There are confirmed outages in Des Allemands and Ama.

Rhodes said Entergy expects to have power restored to pre-Friday morning levels by this evening. Before this latest storm threat, less than 100 customers remained without power from Hurricane Gustav.

The power outages have forced the Department of Wastewater to ask all residents to conserve water usage until power can be restored. Some sewer lift stations have lost power, which is putting pressure on the system.

Winds at the St. Charles Parish Courthouse today reached gusts of 69 mph, with average sustained winds of 18 mph. Weather effects from Ike are expected to lessen by Saturday night, but the threat of flooding will remain all day. As Ike pushes onshore in Texas, winds will shift and come from the south, pushing water into the Barataria Basin.

The St. Charles Parish Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness continues to ask that residents of Bayou Gauche and Des Allemands remain vigilant in paying attention to water levels surrounding the Sunset Drainage District Levees. Due to the potential of rising water, isolated evacuations in areas south of Highway 90 may be necessary if conditions exist for an imminent flood. Residents in the Willowdale and Willowridge areas of Luling could see street flooding similar to that of Tropical Storm Frances in 1998.

Sandbags are available at Badeaux Lane in Bayou Gauche.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office is currently investigating the vandalism of flood control water tubes deployed in the Des Allemands area along Bayou Des Allemands. Evidence indicates that approximately $20,000 in U.S. Flood Control Tubes rented by St. Charles Parish to protect Des Allemands residents from flooding have been intentionally damaged. The damage was most likely inflicted by the use of knives.

The St. Charles Parish Public Works Department has already repaired the areas using a combination of visqueen and sand.

Additionally, the Sheriff's Office is asking that local traffic on FRIDAY be restricted to necessary travel only because of dangerous tropical storm force winds.

Storm debris pickup has been suspended today because of high winds, Parish President V.J. St. Pierre announced this morning.

St. Charles Parish residents are urged to stay tuned to Cable Channel 6, http://www.stcharlesgov.net/ and 1370 AM for further updates.

Council on Aging closed Friday, Sept. 12

All Council on Aging services and centers will be closed Friday, Sept. 12. Employees are asked NOT to report to work.

Public schools closed Friday, Sept. 12

As Hurricane Ike threatens the Gulf Coast, a Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for St. Charles Parish.  The area should experience Tropical Storm conditions early Friday morning consisting of sustained winds in excess of 45 mph with stronger gusts, debris in the streets and loss of power.

In order to ensure the safety of students and employees, Superintendent Dr. Rodney Lafon has made the decision, as recommended by the Department of Emergency Preparedness, to close schools to include Central Office on Friday, Sept. 12.

The football games scheduled for both Hahnville and Destrehan for tomorrow night have been canceled. 

Destrehan has rescheduled their game against St. James for Sunday, Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. The game will be played at Destrehan High School.

Debris removal update

Videography by Melanie Worrall

Hurricane Ike Statement #2

ST. CHARLES PARISH COULD FACE FLOODING COMPARABLE TO 1998's TROPICAL STORM FRANCES

Hurricane Ike Statement #2 - 5:30 p.m. 9/11/08

Residents of St. Charles Parish should prepare to see flooding similar to that of Tropical Storm Frances in 1998, St. Charles Parish EOC Director Tab Troxler said this afternoon.

Frances pushed 4.5 feet of storm surge into St. Charles Parish, which put water onto streets in Luling's Willowdale Subdivision and tested the levees surrounding the communities of Des Allemands and Bayou Gauche. Frances also made landfall in Texas.

Ike, which is now located 215 miles due south of the mouth of the Mississippi River, could bring 3 to 5 feet of storm surge on the West Bank of St. Charles Parish. Tides have already brought water levels to 2 feet above normal. Winds will push water towards the coast for about 18 to 20 hours in total. Ike's full impact will not be known until early Saturday, Troxler said.

The parish remains under a tropical storm warning and coastal flood warning.

Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. this morning signed an emergency declaration for the parish. St. Pierre and officials with the St. Charles Parish Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness are monitoring Ike's progress, and work has begun to shore up vulnerable areas along the Sunset Drainage District Levee on the West Bank. Flood control tubes remain in place in this area.

Sanbags are now available at Bayou Gauche and under the bridge in Des Allemands. More locations may be opened tomorrow if needed.

Due to the potential of rising water, isolated evacuations in areas south of Highway 90 may be necessary if conditions exist for an imminent flood.

Wind gusts at the St. Charles Parish courthouse today reached 47 mph. The high winds have already caused intermittent power outages in Norco and the Mimosa and Coronado Park areas of Luling. Entergy says power should be restored quickly in these areas.

Winds of over 40 mph will arrive overnight across the parish, with the heaviest winds coming in around daybreak Friday. Rainfall totals are expected to be relatively low, at 1 to 2 inches.

Additionally, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office is asking that unecessary travel be avoided on Friday due to tropical storm force winds.

Bayou Gauche Road on the island has been barricaded by DOTD. Water is already covering the road in some areas. If you do not live along this road, we are recommending that you do NOT travel on it.

St. Charles Parish government offices will open tomorrow for regular hours.

Public Schools in St. Charles Parish have been cancelled Friday.

St. Charles Parish residents are urged to stay tuned to Cable Channel 6, www.stcharlesgov.net and 1370 AM for further updates.

Food Stamps closed Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13

The food stamp application site on Hwy. 90 in Boutte will be CLOSED Sept. 12 and 13 due to tropical storm force winds and conditions.

The location will now be open through Sept. 23 daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Hurricane Ike Statement #1

HURRICANE IKE PRESENTS STORM SURGE CONCERNS IN ST. CHARLES PARISH

Hurricane Ike Statement #1 - 1:30 p.m. Sept. 11, 2008

Though Hurricane Ike is currently located approximately 220 miles South of the mouth of Mississippi River and projected to make landfall near Houston, Texas, St. Charles Parish is preparing for the threat of storm surge flooding.

St. Charles Parish is now under a tropical storm warning. This means tropical storm conditions are expected within the next 24 hours. A coastal storm surge of 5 to 7 feet is expected on the West Bank, with 1 to 2 inches of rainfall expected across the parish through Sunday evening. Sustained winds of 25 to 30 mph can be expected, as well as gusts of up to 45 mph.

The parish is also under a coastal flood warning until 6 p.m. Friday.

Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. this morning signed an emergency declaration for the parish. St. Pierre and officials with the St. Charles Parish Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness are monitoring Ike's progress, and work has begun to shore up vulnerable areas along the Sunset Drainage District Levee on the West Bank. Flood control tubes remain in place in this area.

Due to the potential of rising water, isolated evacuations in areas south of Highway 90 may be necessary if conditions exist for an imminent flood. 

The St. Charles Parish Emergency Operations Center has been activated under alert status.

Additionally, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office is asking that local traffic on FRIDAY be restricted to necessary travel only because of dangerous tropical storm force winds.

St. Charles Parish residents are urged to stay tuned to Cable Channel 6, www.stcharlesgov.net and 1370 AM for further updates.

Cox Communications Update

Steve Sawyer of Cox Communications reports that service has been restored to 90 percent of customers on the East Bank and 75 percent on the West Bank.

Also, The St. Charles Parish Service Center on Storehouse Lane in Destrehan has resumed normal operations as of Tuesday, Sept. 8.

The following are some Frequently Asked Questions regarding Cox cable, phone and Internet service.

Residental Customer Care: 504-304-8444

Business Customer Care: 504-304-1700

Some Cox Communications updates pertinent to the greater New Orleans area:

• As of 10am, Wednesday, Sept. 10, Cox has 100% of its nodes fully up.
• Customers who are not currently receiving services should now contact customer service to report a trouble call. If a residential or business customer, please provide the appropriate customer care numbers above.
• There is certainly damage caused by the winds of Gustav that is not readily apparent during a visual inspection of the plant. Cox is actively working to identify and correct as many of those problems as possible, but it will take time.

MANDATORY EVACUATION CREDIT

Credits Statement: "Cox Communications will be giving all residential customers an automatic 4 day mandatory evacuation credit on all monthly recurring charges credited on your October bill. For customers who experienced extended outages, we are reviewing our service outage records and if additional credits are warranted, these credits will also be issued on your October bill. "

Questions and Answers:

Q: What will be credited on my bill?

A: Cox Communications will proactively apply a 4 day mandatory evacuation credit for all monthly recurring charges to all Cox Residential customers. This credit will happen automatically on their October Bill. Monthly recurring charges are the base service charges customers pay for each month; charges such as their Standard Cable Service $49.99 , their Cox High Speed Internet Service $43.99 and Cox Digital Telephone $11.99 will all be covered under this credit. All “per use” charges will not be covered; meaning that Customers will still have to pay for any per use services such as long distance calls, On demand movies, etc.

Q: When will I see this credit?

A: This credit will be applied automatically and proactively so all customers should see this credit on their next October bill.

Q: My service is still out, will my account be credited for those days that I have no service?

A: Yes, although we have 96% of our customers up and running, we do have areas where service has not been restored due to commercial power our downed drops. If your service is still not working, our service outage report will illustrate that and you will be automatically assessed an additional credit for those extended outage days. This additional credit will also be on your October bill.

Q: What will be included in the credit?

A: All monthly recurring services will be credited for the 4 days: For Video: this would cover the monthly cost of your cable including the cost of any premium channels, Digital services even the monthly cost of your converter rental will be credited for those 4 days. The per use charges for PPV or any On Demand services will not be credited. For Cox High Speed Internet: The credit will include the monthly cost of your High Speed internet service as well as premium access pass and Rhapsody subscriptions.

For Cox Digital Telephone: the credit will include the cost of your monthly telephone package (simple line all the way to a connections package such as connection 90). The credit will not include any national and international long distance charges or any other telephone “per use” items such as a la carte features like call forwarding or * 69.

Q: How will customers see this credit?

A: Customers will automatically see this credit on their October bill. There is no need to call us to confirm. Customers who experienced extended outages may also see an additional credit on their October bill if our service outage reports show that services were not rendered. For both credits, customers will see it detailed as “Disaster Recovery Credit” on their October statements.

DEBRIS REMOVAL – COX PEDESTAL ISSUE

Post-Gustav, Cox is working hard to rebuild and restore our network. After Hurricane Katrina, the company’s rebuilding and service restoration struggled due to citizens piling their debris and tree limbs on our service boxes/cylinders (commonly known as pedestals) and when the debris removal trucks came to pickup, they would pull-up the pedestal hidden beneath the debris with their front loaders. The issue happened repeatedly and destroyed our plant equipment and put Cox back even further in restoring services. A pedestal is a green box or narrow stack that sticks out of the ground approximately every 2 to 3 homes located about 6ft off the curb. After Gustav, Cox is being proactive and reaching out to all parishes and municipalities requesting that they stress to their constituents the importance of not stacking their debris and broken limbs on cable or utility pedestals. This affects mainly neighborhoods where their cable and power is delivered underground.

Cox had more post-Katrina damage to our plant/infrastructure due to debris removal/pedestal damage than the company had from the entire Katrina storm alone. As citizens are getting back, Cox is trying to remind them before they begin their cleanup to avoid placing their debris on these pedestals or boxes. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.

COX CUSTOMER FAQs

1. My services are out. What should I do? Cox’s advanced monitoring network allows us to be aware of video, Internet and telephone outages that are being experienced. There is no need for you to call to report an outage. Please know that Cox employees are working around-the-clock in conjunction with the city, parish and electrical utilities to restore your services.
2. When can I expect my services to be restored? In addition to our monitoring network, Cox had conducted network surveys on the ground where areas are accessible and in the air where they are not. In many cases, we are unable to estimate how long outages may persist until we can physically access equipment and understand when services we depend on, like electricity, will be restored. Please know that Cox employees are working around-the-clock to restore your services as quickly as possible.
3. What is Cox doing to restore services? Cox Communications has been one of the first organizations to have employees safely re-enter storm-affected areas. They are working to ensure the safety of our customers, repair our network and quickly restore services. Cox has also mobilized forces from other Cox markets that will be traveling to assist in expediting this process.
4. What should I do if my video/phone/Internet service is out? Cox has been monitoring our network throughout the recovery and we are aware of the video, Internet and telephone outages that are being experienced. There is no need for you to call to report an outage. Please know, Cox employees are working around-the-clock to restore your services as quickly as possible.
5. Even though I don’t have access to my computer, can I access my Cox High Speed Internet Email? Yes, all email accounts are still active. If you can get web access to the Internet, New Orleans customers may read and send email at no charge via our WebMail site: http://webmail.cox.net
6. When will the local Cox Service Center be open? All Cox Service Centers reopened and began regular business hours on Saturday, September 6. Destrehan – 4 Storehouse Lane Tuesday and Thursday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Recovery Assistance Video

Recovery Assistance Update
Videography by Melanie Worrall

Blue Roof Program time changes

The new hours for FEMA Blue Roof Program registration at the Luling VFW Hall, 160 Angus Drive, are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Registration will NOT be available on Friday, Sept. 12 because of the weather. It will also be closed Saturday, Sept. 13 because of a previously-scheduled function at the VFW Hall. 

It will begin again on Sunday. 

Note on Food for Seniors program

Due to Hurricane Gustav, Food for Seniors has been rescheduled.

Distribution Date: Monday, September 22, 2008, 7 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Council on Aging Parking Lot, Hahnville.

If you are not not currently receiving a food box, call 1-800-522-3333 to sign up.

German Coast Farmer's Market

The East Bank German Coast Farmer's Market will reopen on Saturday. The market is located on the grounds of Ormond Plantation in Destrehan. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon.

The Web site is germancoastfarmersmarket.org.

Hurricane Gustav Debris Removal Update

DEBRIS REMOVAL TO BE COMPLETED IN 7-10 DAYS, CONTRACTOR SAYS

St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. and parish officials Wednesday met with contractors to discuss the progress of garbage pickup and debris removal around the parish.

Coastal Waste Services began regular household garbage pickup Sept. 5. District Manager Gus Bordelon reports that all locations in St. Charles Parish have been serviced as of Sept. 9. Because of the high volume of household waste being left curbside, residents can expect at least some delay in service, he said. His company has added two garbage trucks to its usual fleet of six to handle the extra work.

Garbage pickup continues to be completed as closely as possible to the normal schedule.

Debris removal began in earnest on Sept. 9, with 4,058 cubic yards collected on the first day and 5,890 cubic yards collected the next. Bordelon estimates his crews will collect over 100,000 cubic yards of debris in total.

Bordelon expects crews to complete their first sweep of the parish in 7 to 10 days, with a second pass beginning thereafter. Twenty-eight crews are now actively working in all council districts.

Officials are continuing to urge residents to separate 'green' debris (leaves, branches, etc.) from construction debris and household garbage. Bagged leaves are considered storm debris and will be picked up separately from household garbage. Debris must be placed curbside away from ditches in order to be removed. These small steps will save time and help crews complete their tasks more quickly.

Parish officials have been told that FEMA will handle debris removal along Louisiana state highways. State highways in St. Charles Parish include Paul Maillard Road and Barton Ave. in Luling, Apple Street in Norco, Bayou Gauche Road in Bayou Gauche and Old Spanish Trail in Boutte. 

Parish Public Works crews will continue to remove hazardous debris in the interest of safety.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has hired Aspundh Tree Service to handle debris removal along these roadways. The estimated time frame for completion is three to four weeks.

Photo slideshow - Preparation and Damage

Photos by Renee Allemand, Monique Granier and Abel Dufrene

Entergy update 9/9/08

Entergy estimates there are about 350 customers still remaining without power in St. Charles Parish. A large crew is working in the Des Allemands area to complete the job. 

PARISH LISTS DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

State, federal and local agencies are gearing up to offer disaster assistance services through offices in St. Charles Parish. The following is an outline of programs available to St. Charles Parish residents who qualify. 

UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE. Unemployment benefits are available for St. Charles Parish residents whose jobs have been lost or interrupted because of Hurricane Gustav.

Those eligible must have been employed within the last 18 months, including during the storm. This also applies to lost wages due to extended evacuation.

Applications are being taken at the Louisiana Workforce Commission Office (formerly WIA), located at 737 Paul Maillard Road, Suite 2 in Luling. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Walk-ins are preferred.

To receive benefits, individuals must provide their social security number, proof of wages lost and proof of employment, including the name and address of the last employer. Self-employed individuals must provide their business and financial records, including federal income tax returns for 2007. Benefits are available to individuals for weeks of unemployment beginning Sept. 7, 2008 through March 7, 2009 as long as the claimant’s unemployment continues to be a result of Hurricane Gustav.

The deadline to file is Oct 6.

For more information, visit http://emergency.louisiana.gov/Releases/090508DisasterUnemployment.html or call 1-866-783-5567.

FEMA APPLICATIONS. Residents and business owners may apply for FEMA assistance at www.fema.gov or by calling (800) 621-FEMA. 

Assistance available includes reimbursement for hotel stays for those who cannot return to their homes because of damage or inaccessibility; reimbursement for generator purchases if needed to power medical equipment; and grants to help cover medical and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance.

FEMA officials urge all homeowners and business owners to apply even if they are insured in case they are eligible for assistance.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE.  The St. Charles Parish Department of Economic Development is assessing physical and economic losses to businesses and nonprofit organizations in the parish resulting from Hurricane Gustav.

Please e-mail this information to Corey Faucheux, St. Charles Parish Economic Development Director, at cfaucheux@stcharlesgov.net.

Faucheux also urges all businesses experiencing some loss due to the storm to visit the SBA Web site to begin the application process. The address is http://www.sba.gov/hurricanes/index.html.

SBA loans, including physical disaster loans and economic injury loans, are available for those needing financial assistance to rebuild or repair facilities or provide temporary working capital until normal operations resume.

For more information, visit www.sba.gov or call (800) 621-FEMA.

Boutte Christian Academy Re-Opening Wednesday

Boutte Christian Academy will re-open Wednesday, Sept. 10, school officials said this morning. 

Detailed BLUE ROOF PROGRAM information

From FEMA:

The program is open to those who qualify, as follows:

1. Have a photo ID such as driver's license or proof of residency at the location.
2. Know the kind of roof you have. Structures with flat roofs and tile roofs consisting of clay, slate or asbestos (transite) do not qualify. Mobile homes and roofs consisting of metal will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
3. The roof must have less than fifty percent structural damage to be eligible for the program.
4. The structure must be assessed as habitable once the blue roof is installed.
5. All debris must be removed from the roof for it to qualify.
6. The applicant has to sign a right-of-entry form.

The following Right of Entry sign-up collection sites are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Assumption Parish, Assumption Police Station, 4813 Hwy 1, Napoleonville 70390
• Iberville Parish, Iberville Council on Aging, 58105 Court St., Plaquemine 70764
• LaFourche Parish, LaFourche Crossing Fire Dep't, 691 Hwy 308, Thibodauex 70301
• St. Charles Parish, VFW, 140 Angus Drive, Luling 70070
• St. James Parish, Vacherie Volunteer Fire Dep't, 2433 LA 18, Vacherie 70090
• St. John the Baptist Parish Sherriff's Office, 1801 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 70068
• St. Martin Parish, Fire Station, 1011 Main St. Parks 70582
• West Baton Rouge Parish, Old Train Depot, Hwy LA 1, Port Allen 70767

The Corps is working with the other five eligible parishes - Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Terrebone and St. Mary - to establish a Right of Entry sign-up collection site in these parishes. Residents of those parishes can call a toll-free telephone number, 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258), to find out the location of the Blue Roof Right of Entry collection sites in their parish.

A temporary Blue Roof is generally good for 30 days.

The program is run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisiana Recovery Field Office, in Baton Rouge, as assigned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Reminder about service pedestals

As you continue to stack up and remove debris, please be mindful of the Cox / AT&T / Entergy pedestals found in some yards. These can be damaged during debris cleanup.

If damaged, they will set back power restoration and recovery.

St. Charles Community Health Center

The St. Charles Community Health Center is now OPEN for urgent and routine medical care Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The address is 843 Milling Ave. in Luling, behind the St. Charles Parish Hospital.

Wastewater Update

Wastewater Director Sammy Accardo reports that there are no issues with the sewer system in St. Charles Parish at this time.

Power has been restored to 97 percent of the parish, and with that, lift stations have come online. Those lift stations that remain without power are being operated via generator. All lift stations are operational as of this morning.

Residents are urged to report any other sewer problems by calling 985-783-5100.

Recreation Department Update

As of September 8, 2008 all of St. Charles Parish Parks and Recreation activities will be postponed until next week, depending on Hurricane Ike. If you have any questions please call the office at 985-783-5090.

FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE

FEMA is now providing assistance for housing and other needs not covered by a homeowner's insurance policy. Officials are asking all homeowners to register for assistance in the event insurance does not cover all losses.

For more information on what is available and to sign up, visit http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/assistance.shtm

FEMA's number is 1-800-621-FEMA.

You may also sign up in person at the St. Charles Parish Community Services Department,Community Services Office at 14564 River Road / Hwy. 48, New Sarpy. Regular business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The phone number is (985) 764-7944.

Entergy update 9/8/08

Entergy now estimates there are about 500 customers in St. Charles Parish left without power today. That is down from a high of 30,000 customers without power at the beginning of this event on Monday, spokesman Doug Rhodes said this morning.

97 percent of customers in St. Charles now have electricity.

Most of the outages are concentrated in the Des Allemands area, and crews are working to get this last area complete. The area has been a challenge because it is rural and full of downed trees and power lines. Willowdale and Willowridge customers should be powered up.

Rhodes is urging those who are still without power to call Entergy at 1-800-9-OUTAGE to report their address. They can also visit the Entergy office at 413 Paul Maillard Road in Luling from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Crews will be riding to these locations, especially if a given house is surrounded by power. That could indicate a problem with the individual feed to the building.

Council on Aging Information

The St. Charles Parish Council on Aging will resume regular operations, including meals, transportation and senior center activities, on Wednesday, Sept. 10.

All COA employees are asked to call in by noon on Monday to either Margaret or April, 985-306-0353 or 985-764-7738.

For more information on the Council on Aging, visit their Web page at http://www.stcharlesgov.net/departments/aging.htm.

Libraries Re-Opening

All St. Charles Parish libraries will re-open at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 8, according to Librarian Vicky Nesting.

Entergy update 9/7/08

Entergy crews today are working on...

• According to Entergy spokesman Doug Rhodes, we are still at about 45% without power in St. Charles Parish.
• Taft and Killona continue to be a focus because of a critical substation near Oxy Chem and LA 3142. This substation powers most areas down River Road to the Courthouse. Rhodes reports that as crews think they have areas done, they find other problems, so this continues to be a tough situation.
• Crews are also working in Paradis, Des Allemands, Norco and St. Rose. You should see the evidence with a lot of power trucks on the road.

Outage update from Entergy.com

Entergy.com has an interactive map online showing where significant outages are occurring across the state of Louisiana.

To view it, visit http://www.entergy.com/storm_center/outages.aspx

TRASH BURNING ORDINANCE

The Fire Department is reporting at least 30 calls this morning related to trash burning in the parish.

St. Charles Parish burning ordinances require that all burn sites be at least 1,000 feet from any residence. Additionally, you are REQUIRED to obtain a permit from the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office, and there is a 14-day waiting period before you can start burning.

For more information please contact the Sheriff's Office at 985-783-6807.