9.14.21 Update

Published on September 14, 2021

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Changes from previous update: 

FEMA

  • All FEMA activities (mobile unit) are cancelled due to weather. FEMA information is available at disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. Will update.

 

Blue Roof

  • The Operation Blue Roof vehicle will be moving around the Parish for the next 3 days assisting residents with the Blue Roof program.
    • Schedule as follows:
  • 9:30 am - 5:30 pm

    September 14th - Matherne's Parking Lot

    September 15th - Walmart Parking Lot

    September 16th - Juan Anthony Joseph Park in Edgard

  • More info: blueroof.us or call 888-766-3258.

    POD sites are open today as weather allows with tarps, water, and ice until 5pm at Wallace Fire Station, REGALA Gym, Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet School.

    *Please note the Garyville POD will close indefinitely after Wednesday*

    Power

    Number of outages as of 9 a.m.:  9,063 – 46% of customers remain without power 

  • Entergy is expanding to residential areas to restore power to the parish.  They have energized the feeder in Laplace that serves along Airline Hwy from the Spillway to Hwy 51 along with the Belle Point feeder that serves Ochsner, several commercial businesses along Airline Hwy and customers in Reserve from Central Ave to River Rd.
  •  The Laplace Hospital, St. John VA Clinic, St. John High School, and the St. John sewer lift station have been restored as well as multiple motels and the Walmart in Laplace.  West 10th Street in Reserve restored power to some commercial customers. 
  • Central to River Road, Airline Hwy from St. Charles/St. John Parish Line to Hwy 51 and Hwy 51 from Airline Hwy to Total Choice Credit Union is energized.  Entergy is continuing to work on the feeders coming out of the Laplace Substation, Belle Point and Dutch Bayou. 
  • Congestion and rear access poles continue to pose challenges, but crews are working with local officials and bringing in necessary equipment to address. 
  • Crews are also working River Road in Reserve, parts of River Land Estate in Laplace, Lucy, Edgard, Wallace, and the west bank of the parish as well as commercial and residential areas throughout the parish.

    Permits

  • For permits, please call Planning & Zoning at 985-651-5565 or email at rebuild@stjohn-la.gov.
  • Please include the following information in your request:

    Name, Address, Phone Number, Scope of Work and Contractor’s Information

    • Repairs to any structure in a flood zone requires a permit.

    Aerial Mosquito Spraying

  • The aerial mosquito spraying scheduled for this evening has been postponed due to weather. We will update when rescheduled.

    Unemployment Information

  • The Louisiana Workforce Commission Mobile unit is at River Parish Community College in Reserve today and tomorrow from 9:00am-6:00pm to help residents apply for disaster unemployment. The Community College is located at 181 Regala Park Rd., Reserve.

  • Farmer’s Market

  • The Farmer’s Market scheduled for Wednesday at the St. John Theatre has been rescheduled to Saturday from noon to 5pm.

Hurricane Ida Recovery Information:

(Below is no change from yesterday’s update)

Other 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 and will continue to update.
  • Vegetative debris and construction debris is still being collected throughout the parish at a rapid rate.
  • Please do not place debris piles or garbage cans near hydrants, cable boxes, gas meters, water lines, telephone poles, support cables or around mailboxes.

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.

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.  
  • Emailsafereconnect@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  

  • 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



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