9.13.21 Update

Published on September 13, 2021

Monday, September 1, 2021, Update

FEMA  

• FEMA will be at Belle Pointe Park, 1621 Jackson Ave in LaPlace today & tomorrow from 8 am – 5 pm.
• Apply online for FEMA at disasterassistance.gov or 800-621-3362.  

Blue Roof

• The Operation Blue Roof Vehicle will be at Matherne’s tomorrow (Tuesday 9.14.21) from 9:30am-5:00pm to help residents sign up for Operation Blue Roof.
• To apply, visit blueroof.us or 1-888-766-3258 – must apply by September 30

Distribution Sites Water, ice, MRES & tarps available daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. via drive-thru at:

• Wallace Fire Station - 5733 Hwy 18, Vacherie (Wallace) 
• REGALA Gym - 200 REGALA Park Rd, Reserve 
• Garyville Magnet School – 240 Hwy 54, Garyville  

Other assistance

• DNSAP To preregister, text LADSNAP to 898211  
• Disaster unemployment https://www.laworks.net/ 
• Transitional Sheltering Assistance - https://www.fema.gov/.../transitional-sheltering-assistance  

Elderly Assistance for St. John residents 

• Elderly St. John residents ages 65 and older who need assistance registering with FEMA can call the Department of Health & Human Services at 985-536-4955 from 8am-5pm daily.  

Garbage/Debris Removal 

• We recognized that current conditions have created issues with residential garbage collection, and we are working diligently to correct these issues including increasing the number of trucks in our area.
• Yesterday, contractors brought in (4) four additional garbage trucks to St. John for the collection of green cans and we will continue to increase those efforts.
• As some of the additional trucks being used only allow for automated, mechanical collection, please be sure your green can has approximately 3 ft of space on both sides.
• Vegetative debris and construction debris is still being collected throughout the parish at a rapid rate and white goods collection will being this week.
• Please do not place debris piles or garbage cans near hydrants, cable boxes, gas meters, water lines, telephone poles, support cables or around mailboxes.

  Power 

• Number of outages as of 9 a.m.:  13,463 – 68% of customers remain without power 

   

  -        Crews continue to push forward with restoring power in St. John Parish.  With the upcoming rain the next few days things may slow down just a bit, but Entergy will continue to work around those conditions as safely as possible.  

   

  -        Entergy has started transitioning resources to the Eastbank of St. John Parish now that the West Bank is almost completely restored.

   

  -        By the end of the day, Entergy will have 90% of the feeders energized on the Westbank of St. John Parish and will be making efforts to restore the remaining 10% daily. 

   

  -        Entergy is also making a presence in the neighborhoods north of Airline Hwy including Belle Pointe, New Era, Sugar Ridge, Belle Terre, Riverlands, and Cambridge Subdivisions

   

  -        Entergy has started moving personnel and equipment to these areas to continue the restoration efforts.

   

  Energized Areas

  • Entergy was able to energize W. 5th Street and River Rd to Dupont Refinery
  • Reserve from Central to W. 10th Street 

     

    Plans for Crews Working 9/13/21

  • Crews are working on the West Bank of St. John Parish from the St. Charles/St. John Parish line going towards Edgard Water Plant.
  • Crews are working from Central St. on River Road in Reserve going towards Dupont.
  • Crews are working from Dupont on River Road going towards Central St. 
  • Crews are working to Restore Garyville from Clark Oil on River Road going towards 19th St in Reserve.
  • Crews will continue to work in Garyville to restore power.

       

    Water/Sewer

• St. John Parish will remain under a Boil Water Advisory until power is restored at water plants.
•  Water customers should boil water for at least a minute after a rolling boil before consumption until the Boil Water Advisory is lifted.
•  Residents are also asked curb non-essential sewer usages as much as possible such as running washing machines and dishwashers due to 100 lift stations that are still without power.

  Unemployment Information

• The Louisiana Workforce Commission Mobile unit will be in Reserve at River Parish Community College September 14-15th from 9:00am-6:00pm to assist those with no internet/power apply for disaster unemployment. The Community College is located at 181 Regala Park Rd., Reserve.

•  

  Safe Reconnect of Utilities  

• Planning and Zoning is here to help with a safe recovery for items that are normally permitted such as electrical and gas reconnection inspections.  
• If you sustained damage to your home or business electrical and/or gas systems and the utility was not able to reconnect service, please contact Planning & Zoning.  
• If you have made repairs and the utility provider is unable to reconnect you, an inspector will be dispatched to help you identify what needs to be done to allow the utility provider to reconnect you.  
• These services are being provided at no cost and are offered to ensure your safety and expedite the reconnection process when the utility providers can turn services back on.  
• Email safereconnect@stjohn-la.gov  or call 985-651-5565 

Temporary Housing 

• Parish President Hotard signed an executive order outlining emergency regulation to prepare for an equitable and speedy recovery and to provide temporary housing solutions for residents.  
• Effective through February 28, 2022, permit and inspection fees required by the Planning and Zoning Department will be waived for those making repairs and renovations to structures impacted by Hurricane Ida.  
• The order also allows for placement of one RV, travel trailer or other similar form of temporary housing to be placed on a single-family residential site through August 29, 2022. Additional provisions may be added as needs are identified for recovery.  
• Please note that the Planning and Zoning Department is operating in a very limited capacity to provide safety inspections for electrical and gas reconnections currently. 
•  Permits for renovations, repairs and temporary RV’s may be obtained once full government services are operational. In the meantime, please contact Planning and Zoning at 985-651-5565 to begin coordination of inspections for RV’s of if you have any questions about permitting repairs. 

Roads

• Highway 51 low road & LA 44 near Cargill remains closed.

Generator Safety

• St. John Parish reminds residents that carbon monoxide from generators is deadly. Only use a generator in a well-ventilated area and place away from structures, at least 20 feet away from your home, windows, and doors.  
• Please place a carbon monoxide detector in your home.

Contractor Fraud  

Some of the best ways to avoid contractor fraud is to:

• Verify whether a contractor is licensed or registered to do construction in Louisiana before you make a down payment or sign a contract. There are three ways to check licensure through LSLBC:
• Check their license via the LSLBC website at lacontractor.org. or call 1-800-256-1392.
• Be sure you learn the contractor’s full name, business address and take note of their physical description.
• Ask them for references from previous clients, check their reviews via internet and social media.
• Get the phone number and call it in their presence to ensure they are the phone account holder.
• Ask them for proof of liability and workers compensation insurance.
• Ask to see their contractor’s license.
• Take note of the vehicle they are driving, record the license plate number.
• Be sure you are supplied a detailed estimate and contract, signed by the contractor in your presence, be sure the contract has estimated dates of start and completion.
• NEVER give a down payment exceeding 10 percent of the total project cost!
• NEVER pay for projects not yet completed!
• Always get at least three estimates for the repairs, as this may be required by your insurance provider.
• Use local contractors when possible.
• Keep a detailed log of all conversations you have. Use email communication as much as possible.
• NEVER pay with cash or money order. Always use checks or a credit card.
• NEVER give them more information than is needed for them to submit an estimate or perform the job.

Curfew 

• A parish-wide curfew is in effect from 10PM-5AM.   

Donations

• Financial donations for St. John the Baptist recovery efforts can be made through the United Way link at St. John United Way Hurricane Ida Fund | St. John United Way (stjohnunitedway.org).