HURRICANE KATRINA
 ASCENSION PARISH UPDATES

Office of Homeland Security
and Emergency Preparedness

Situation Report
Friday, September 9, 2005
Download Microsoft Word Version

Summary:

  1. FEMA Debris Pick-up Contractor continuing
  2. Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals has issued a BOIL WATER Order in Ascension; Parish Public Health working to verify State results. (update)

Health Unit: Kenny Matassa reports that the State Agency issued Parish-wide BOIL Water Order based on preliminary test results. The Parish Health Unit will supervise testing which will validate the preliminary test..

Weather: Today...Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 90s. Light east to northeast winds. Tonight...Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s. Light and variable winds. Saturday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 90s. Light east to northeast winds. Saturday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 60s. Light and variable winds. Sunday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 90s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 60s.:. AT THIS TIME NO HAZARDOUS OR SEVERE WEATHER IS EXPECTED THROUGH THEPERIOD.(updated)

Emergency Declarations: No Updates

Sheltering: There are 1,802 people in the shelter as of this morning. (updated)

  • Support activaties are on-going.
  • 30 Local and 12 National Red Cross volunteers are staffing the shelters under the direction of a paid American Red Cross Sheletr manager.
  • National Guard security has changed from an ENGINEER unit to a Military Police unit.

Casualties: none

Reported Damage:

  • 523 Damaged structures reported.
  • Parish Disaster Assessment Officer has completed preliminary estimates for 75% of the structures reported damaged: $1.4 Million

Resources: 13 Resource Request still pending State assistance.

Department of Public Works

  • Debris pick-up at roadside continuing. Sorrento Civic Center and Old Donaldsonville Ferry Landing are serving as temporary collection points.

School: Estimated 1,400 disaster related students enrolled. Additional 230 students at Shelter are pending registration (updated).

Donations & Resource Information:

  • Former Winn-Dixie Gonzales store is acting as a bulk collection center for donated goods. No individual pick-ups are encouraged.
  • West Ascension Donation Distribution Center located at 1100 Clay St.
  • Volunteers Are Needed: 644-3035 (updated)
  • Operation Good Neighbor:
    • United Community Bank is accepting donations for the project
    • First American Bank in Donaldsonville is accepting donations

Disaster Information Assistance

  • FEMA Disaster Assistance and Claims: 1 800 621-FEMA
  • Red Cross Family linking: (877) 568-3317 (updated)
  • Volunteer Coordination- Volunteer Ascension: 225-644-7655
  • Food Stamps: 225-644-0484
  • Unemployment Info and Checks: 1-866-783-5567or 1-800-LA- HELP- U

Disaster Recovery Center:

  • FEMA is actively seeking a location on the east bank to location.
  • Faith Based Organizations: Coordinator: Constable Steve Juneau.
    • Coordinationg Church based aid
    • Donation Pick-up Points:
    • 7th District Fire Department, 13398 Roddy Rd. 647-6928: POC Chief Tom Mitchell
    • Household of Faith, 644-3111, POC Scot Bledsoe

Communication:

  • Eatel reports:
    • Communications are normal although heavier at peak times

Food Stamp Office: Operating 24 hours / seven day until approximately September 12.

Federal Relief: Meeting with FEMA Representative to discuss preliminary cost for Category B, Emergency Protective Measures, Today (FRIDAY) in the EOC at 10AM. President Bush authorized 100% reimbursement for Category A & B debris removal & emergency protective measures for 60 days from August 29. (UPDATED)

Zoning: State Department of Health and Hospitals has authorized emergency sewer permiting. Temporary Permits for Weather Related utilities concerns: Harry Hue, on call # 571-0315.

Situation Report
Tuesday September 6, 2005
10:00 AM
Download Microsoft Word Version

Summary:

  1. West Ascension Donated Goods location meeting tonight (Tuesday) at 6PM. Councilmember Thomas is the Point of Contact (update)
  2. Emergency declaration for waterway closure is still in effect.
  3. Reentry into Jefferson Parish continues through Wednesday
  4. Preliminary Damage Assessment completed: 523 structures.
  5. FEMA and State Officials have inquired about locations in Ascension Parish that can accommodate mass housing.

Weather: Today...Partly cloudy. Isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 90s. Northeast winds around 10 mph. Chance of thunderstorms 20 percent. Tonight...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 60s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Wednesday...Partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Northeast winds around 10 mph. Chance of thunderstorms 20 percent. (updated)

Re-entry: Alert: Jefferson Parish Reentry traffic to begin today. Monday through Wednesday 6AM to 6 PM. A map detailing the Jefferson Parish re-entry plan is available at http://www.lsp.org/pdf/KatrinaReentryPlanMap.pdf (updated)

Emergency Declarations: Waterways East and North of I-10 are closed (Amite, Diversion, Petit Amite and associated waterways).

Sheltering: There are 1,707 people in the shelter as of last night. (updated)

  • 26 Showers with hot water are installed for evacuee use. Separated by gender. (updated)
  • 14 Washer and Dryers are installed for evacuee use. First come, first served.
  • Red Cross officials stated that they will support the Ascension Parish Shelter as long as needed. They suggest that Ascension Parish government plan in three month time blocks. Long term sheltering is the current outlook
  • Walmart -Gonzales Store has adopted Lamar-Dixon Shelter; will provide prescription medications and transportation to their store.
  • Shelter In Place video, VCR and brochures delivered to Shelter staff for distribution to evacuees for awareness briefings by Red Cross. (updated)
  • Cox Communications and Cisco Systems working to donate internet access for evacuees.
  • Recreational activities are continuing aided by YMCA.
  • Pharmacist at shelter to assist evacuees.

Special Needs: No report.

Casualties: none

Reported Damage:

  • 523 Damaged structures reported.
  • Structural damages in Fire District # 1 255
  • Structural damages in Fire District # 2 51
  • Structural damages in Fire District # 3 56
  • Structural damages in City of Donaldsonville 115
  • Structural damages in City of Gonzales 46
  • Roof Damage to one school
  • Most damage is light to moderate
  • Moderate & heavy damage due to trees or limbs falling on homes.
  • 3 Fire stations with Damage.
  • Parish Disaster Assessment Officer will render an estimated dollar loss.

Traffic: Traffic flow on Tuesday was reported to be moderate to heavy, but flowed well. Re-entry traffic continues today (updated).

Resources: 39 Resource Request still pending State assistance.

Power Outages:

  • Less than 50 parish residents are reported to be without power. (updated)
  • Department of Public Works
  • Debris pick-up at roadside. FEMA contractors scheduled to begin pick-up operations in the Parish within 24 hours.

ROADS: All open

FEMA contractors begin debris pick-up today and will grind stumps tomorrow. Parish DPW From the 29th through the 5th, DPW has hauled 140 truck loads of debris to the Sorrento Civic Center. No pick-ups were made Sunday or Labor Day. (UPDATED)

School: Schools Buses used in New Orleans evacuation have been decontaminated (updated). Public schools reopened Tuesday September 6.

Donations & Resource Information:

  • Former Winn-Dixie Gonzales store is acting as a bulk collection center for donated goods. No individual pick-ups are encouraged.
  • FEMA POD arrived on site: Heavy equipment to support Center. (UPDATED)
    • Staging area for FEMA Trucks for other areas
    • Operation Good Neighbor: Martin McConnell reports:
      U      nited Community Bank is accepting donations for the project

Disaster Information Assistance

  • FEMA Disaster Assistance and Claims: 1 800 621-FEMA
  • Red Cross Survivor location1 800 GET-INFO
  • FEMA considering opening a Disaster Recovery Office in Ascension Parish.

Faith Based Organizations: Coordinator: Constable Steve Juneau.

  • Churches collected $13,000 for Disaster Assistance
  • Providing monor car repairs
  • Flat tire repairs for evacuees by Gonzales Tires
  • Church service being conducted Sunday x 2; 1 x each day
  • Donation Pick-up Points:
  • 7th District Fire Department, 13398 Roddy Rd. 647-6928: POC Chief Tom Mitchell
  • Household of Faith, 644-3111, POC Scot Bledsoe
  • Food Stamp Office: Processed 1,100 evacuee applications (Usually handles 400 clients a month). Operating 24 hours / seven day until approximately September 12.
  • Federal Relief: President Bush authorized 100% reimbursement for Category A & B debris removal & emergency protective measures for 60 days from August 29.
  • Council Information: Council members can call DPW directly for updates.

Zoning: Temporary Permits for Weather Related utilities concerns: Harry Hue, on call # 571-0315.

Situation Report
Saturday, September 03, 2005
10:00 AM
Download Microsoft Word Version

Summary:

  1. The Lamar Dixon Expo Center has become a Red Cross Shelter. (Updated)
  2. The State of Louisiana is considering taking over operations of the Lamar Dixon
    Expo Center for at least 30 days. This is in order to set up FEMA communications.
  3. Local power outages are reported affecting East Ascension, and West Ascension areas.
  4. Entergy should restore power to all customers by Sunday. (Updated)
  5. Emergency declaration for waterway closure has been issued.
  6. 482 structural damages reported.
  7. Evacuation has been lifted
  8. Schools will reopen Tuesday, September 06
  9. Distribution points for ice and water has been established for both the east and west banks.

Gas shortage and traffic congestion around gas stations. (Updated)

Weather: The weather forecast for Ascension Parish is “Mostly Sunny” the hi is 90 degrees, and northeast winds around 10mph. (Updated)

Evacuation: None

Emergency Declarations: Waterways East and North of I-10 are closed.

Sheltering: There are 1,937 people in the shelter.

Progress was made at the Shelter:

  • Working with Cisco Systems on providing multi-phone lines which will incur no long distance charges. (Updated)
  • Working with Cox Communication for internet access. (Updated)
  • Telephone Communication is up at the shelter. Not only for evacuees, but for volunteers as well. (Updated)
  • Showers for the evacuees
  • Washer and Dryers
  • Recreations for the kids
  • Established a local drug store for perscription use

Special Needs: Treated 30 patients with minor injuries from N.O. incident.

Desperate Needs for St. Elizabeth Hospital: Specialized medical supplies St. Elizabeth has been receiving burn victims from Chalmette. (Updated)

Casualties: none

Reported Damage:

  • Roof Damage to one school (Updated)
  • 482 Structural damage has been reported. (Updated)
  • Mostly light damage (shingles blown off)
  • Moderate & heavy damage due to trees or limbs falling on homes.
  • 3 Fire stations with Damage.
    • Structural damages in Fire District # 1 255
    • Structural damages in Fire District # 2 51
    • Structural damages in Fire District # 3 25
    • Structural damages in City of Donaldsonville 115
    • Structural damages in City of Gonzales 46

Traffic: Long lines of traffic due to gas shortages. Electrical outages will negatively impact returning traffic management throughout the next twenty-four hours. (Updated)

Resources: Donaldsonville, Sorrento, Police and Fire are requesting water and ice. City of Gonzales, requests a truck and a grabber for sewage. Town of Sorrento needs communication sources (i.e... radio), etc. (Updated) 20 requests for assistance were made to Parish Agencies; 27 made for State agency assistance. The EOC is activated. Agencies monitoring the situation are AP Shelter Task Force; Louisiana National Guard; Fire and Rescue; DSS.

Power Outages: Entergy is reporting all customers should have electric by Sunday. Entergy is reporting less than 100 customers in LA are without power. (Updated)

Utility Crews working in the following area:

  • Entergy will have 80% of customers lights restored today. (Updated)
  • Demco will have 85% of customers lights restored today. (Updated)
  • They are working on LA 933 & 42, 431-931, and William Ficklin Rd.
  • They also have crews waiting to clear these roads.
  • There are over 2,000 Demco customers without utilities.
  • LP&L Crews are working in the Darrow and Hillaryville area. We have crews waiting to clear trees that had been entangled with electrical wires. (Updated)
    1-800-905-5834

Gonzales – Pecan Grove, Sanders, McArthur, Edenborne, N. Toby, Coontrap to Hwy. 74
Prairieville area – Swamp, Debate, Brown, Alligator, Bayou & Bluff, joining streets.
Sorrento – No Report
Donaldsonville - Outside of city limits (Lemannville) does not have power Entergy has been contacted. (Updated)

Eatel: Due to tangled wires and trees there are 3500 residents without telephone service.

Department of Public Works

  • Parish Crews are clearing trees on the following roads:
    • Cannon Road – District 9
    • Prince Road – District 9
    • Myrtle Road – District 7
    • William Ficklin Road – District 8
    • Oak Ridge – District 5
  • Road Closures: Power Lines Only
    • Brown Street – LP&L – District 3
    • First Colonial – Demco – District 5
    • Riverside Road – Demco – District 5
    • HH Wilson – Demco – District 5
    • Ravenwood Road – Demco – District 5
    • Diez Road – Demco – District 5
    • Rhea Rod – Democo – District 5
  • Road Closures – Power Lines entangled in trees
    • Panama Canal Road – LP&L - District 2
    • Robert Wilson Road – LP&L – District 3
    • Stanford Levy Road – LP&L – District 3
    • Marchand School Road – LP&L – District 3
    • Walter Hill Road – LP&L – District 3
    • Roger C Road – Entergy – District 6
    • Gary Babin Road – Demco – District 9
    • Butch Gore Road – Demco – District 9
  • Completed areas:
    • Old Hickory – District 11
    • Harry Savoy Road – District 9
    • Oak Harbor Road – District (off of LA 42)
    • Duvall Road – District 5
    • Fontenot Road – District 6
    • Rudy Road – District 11
    • Roddy Road at Simon’s Boat Shop – District 11
    • Spellman Road – District 3
    • Removed shed from the bayou on Mire Road – District 11
    • Agnes Segura Road at Hwy 44 – District 5
    • Paulette Road – District 5
    • Brittany Road – District 2
    • Young Road – District 11
    • Conway Street – District 6
    • Pertuis Road – District 6

From the 29th through the 1st DPW has hauled 117 truck loads of debris to the Sorrento Civic Center.

Gonzales: No major problems. The city can still use support from the National Guard, and can use a Grapple Truck in the city. (Updated)

School: School is over crowded on East Bank. Will be able to supply more information about where school will take place over the weekend. (Updated)

  • Registration today
    • 500 – 1000 new rescued students
  • Need the following for schools:
    • Teacher
    • Buses/Drivers
    • Classrooms
    • Textbooks
    • Furniture
    • Supplies
  • This morning sent 42 buses to New Orleans with volunteer drivers.

National Guard (all updated)

  • National Guard assets on mission in Ascension Parish since last SITREP:
  • 2 Liaison Personnel (415th MI Bn) – Manning Parish EOC
  • 30- Personnel – 30 armed Soldiers are pulling security duties at the shelter operating out of Lamar Dixon
  • National Guard Soldiers are providing escorts for buses staging from Tanger Mall
  • National Guard assets requested for Ascension Parish missions:
    • 5 Dump Trucks – Mission assigned to LA Army National Guard for resourcing; Alternate JOC reports that trucks not currently available ( as of 0920 hours 01 September 2005 ), as all high-water vehicles are in New Orleans on levee- repair operations
    • All generators missioned to National Guard to date are currently coded Gray-Canceled
    • Support requests likely to be tasked to the National Guard, once State OEP makes a decision on whether these requests can be resourced:
    • Res 112808-801-083105 (10 personnel for enforcement operations)
    • Res 130231-350-083105 (20 personnel for enforcement operations)
    • Res 092515-654-090105 (50 personnel for enforcement operations)
  • Issues:
    • Near-total lack of communications with National Guard temporary JOC at the Superdome, New Orleans, LA
    • An alternate JOC has been established at Gillis W. Long Center in Carville, LA with which communications appear adequate
    • Flow of National Guard assets to New Orleans area

Donations & Resource Information:

  • Winn-Dixie Gonzales store is acting as a bulk collection center for donated goods
  • 18 vehicles coming in from North Carolina
  • 10 vehicles coming from Arkansas
  • Staging for FEMA Tractor Trailers to send out
  • Plastic goods for firefighter, police officers, and evacuees are needed. (Updated)
  • Ascension Credit Union is accepting donations for victims of Hurricane Katrina being sheltered at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. Monetary donations can be made at the credit union at 2430 S Burnside Ave in Gonzales. The number to call is 225 647 GIVE.
  • The combined Ascension and Donaldsonville Chambers of Commerce are coordinating volunteer recruitment, business donations, and coordination of relief activities by area businesses. It will be called, “Operation Good Neighbor.”
  • Contact number for FEMA is 1 800 621-FEMA
  • Contact number for Red Cross is 1 800 GET-INFO
  • Faith Based Organizations: Local churches are combining efforts to increase communictons and allotcation of goods and services including the transportation and housing of refugees.
  • Currently setting up central comm. center between First Baptist and First United Methodist.
  • Chamber of Commerce: Visting Lamar Dixon to perform needs assessment. Once assessment has been completed a master list of items needed will be distributed. Will also contact Cabeloa’s about supplying camp towels. Will meet with Audrey Boudreaux about volunteers. (Updated)
  • Food Stamp Office: Will began processing evacuees for benefits on 9/2/2005. Will be open 24 hours for 14 days. (Updated)

Federal Relief: President Bush signed for a 10.5 billion dollar relief from National Federal Government. (Updated)

Reimbursement - Get all monetary commitments in writing. (Updated)

Communication Report: Call in at Department of Public Works every 4 hours for councilmen. (Updated)

Zoning: Zoing is being temporarly suspended in order to house evacuees. (Updated)

Drainage: There is a threat of a major drainage problem if canals over flow. (Updated)

The Store on Hwy 44 Villa Galvez is being used to supply evacuees with vehicles with food, gas, and maps to elleaveate some congestion in the parish. (Updated)

Situation Report
Wednesday, September 01, 2005
4:00 PM
NWS Advisory # 26A
Download Microsoft Word Version
Summary:

  1. Evacuation has been lifted.
  2. Emergency declarations prohibiting gas rationing and waterway closure have been issued.
  3. An estimated 1,900 people are sheltering in Ascension Parish.
  4. St. Elizabeth Hospital is taking patients from Kenner Region.
  5. 477 structural damages reported.
  6. Local power outages are reported affecting East Ascension.
  7. Schools remain closed until Tuesday, September 06.
  8. Distribution points for ice and water are being established for both the east and west banks.
  9. Currently combining efforts of faith based organizations to be led by First Baptist and First United Methodist
  10. Generator for Donaldsonville Jail is in route.

Weather: The weather forecast for Ascension Parish is "Partly Cloudy" with 50 percent chance of thunderstorms and temperatures in the lower 90 degrees F. Light and variable winds.

Evacuation: Both Precautionary and Recommended evacuations have been lifted.

Emergency Declarations: Waterways East and North of I-10 are closed.

Sheltering: Lamar – Dixon Expo Center is sheltering 1,881 evacuees. Dutchtown HS is closed. The population at Dutchtown HS Shelter is 0.

Other shelters:

  • Southern University, Clark Hall
  • Denham Springs High School – 1000 N. Range, Denham Springs (225) 686-3066
  • Port Allen Community Center – 749 North Jefferson, Port Allen (225) 346-1577
  • Port Allen High School – 610 Rosedale Rd., Port Allen (225) 436-1577

Special Needs: St. Elizabeth is taking patients from Kenner Region and receiving nurses from Tulane. Bed status from, St. Elizabeth Hospital as of 11:00 AM: Med-Surgery = 4, Pediatric (non ICU) = 4, ICU =5. This hospital can take up to 5 vent patients from New Orleans if needed. A second Emergency Room fast track has been setup with Nurse Practitioners. Additionally, State Special Needs shelters (SNS) opened in Baton Rouge (LSU Fieldhouse); Monroe; Alexandria. Special needs patients need to call the DHH triage hotline prior to traveling to a SNS. 800-349-1372.

  • Desperate Needs for St. Elizabeth Hospital: O2E cylinders, 4x4 sterile gauze packs, Registered Nurses preferably with Emergency Room experience and Security.

Casualties: none


Reported Damage:

  • 477 Structural damage has been reported.
  • Mostly light damage (shingles blown off)
  • Moderate & heavy damage due to trees or limbs falling on homes.
  • 3 Fire stations with Damage.
    • Structural damages in Fire District # 1 255
    • Structural damages in Fire District # 2 51
    • Structural damages in Fire District # 3 15
    • Structural damages in City of Donaldsonville 115
    • Structural damages in City of Gonzales 46

Traffic: Traffic is light throughout the parish and we have no reports of road closures at the time of this report. Electrical outages will negatively impact returning traffic managment throughout the next twenty-four hours.

Resources: 20 requests for assistance were made to Parish Agencies; 27 made for State agency assistance. The EOC is activated. Agencies monitoring the situation are AP Shelter Task Force; Louisiana National Guard; Fire and Rescue; DSS.

Power Outages: Entergy is reporting that 643,146 customers in LA are without power. Fewer than 13,000 residents are reported to be without power; Power outages are reported in the St. Amant (431), Acy (22), Sorrento (1-10), Hilleryville, and Prarieville Communities.

Crews working in the following area:

  • Gonzales – Spillman, Cornerview, Vesta, Jeansome, S. John, Kennedy Heights subdivision, Susan Place, Coontrap to Hwy. 74 N. Toby
  • Sorrento – Main St. & other running off main. Brittany St, Main to Tower Rd. Johnson St.
  • St. Amant, Brittany – About 50% of St. Amant is without power. Scattered & individual outages in Oak Grove area, old Perkins, Alligator Bayou, Fountain Hill, Manchac Acres. HWY 22, 431, and 933.
  • Prairieville – Rhonda Place, Quail Creek and the Hwy. 44 & 42 (Y) – area. Hwy 935

School: 4 schools are without power. Schools will be closed until Tuesday September 06.

National Guard

  • National Guard assets on mission in Ascension Parish since last SITREP:
  • 2 Liaison Personnel (415th MI Bn) – Manning Parish EOC
  • National Guard assets requested for Ascension Parish missions:
    • 30 Personnel – Tasked to provide security support at and Lamar-Dixon shelter; confirmed with Alternate JOC (Gillis W. Long Center in Carville, LA) at 1215 hours 31 August 2005 that 30 armed Soldiers were en route from the 769th Engineer Bn; as of 1415 hours, HQ 769th Engr reported that the Soldiers are at the C/769th Armory in Gonzales, drawing weapons and ammo; ETA at Lamar-Dixon is 1445 hours
    • 5 Dump Trucks – Status unknown (ETeam System Down)
    • 15 kw Generator – Status unknown (ETeam System Down)
  • Issues:
    • Near-total lack of communications with National Guard temporary JOC at the Superdome, New Orleans, LA
    • Lack of National Guard command-and-control elements in areas less affected by Hurricane Katrina (Alternate JOC at Gillis W. Long Center in Carville, LA, seems to have assumed some C3 functions)
    • Spotty communications within area of operations
    • Flow of National Guard assets to New Orleans area
  • Request
    • Most likely the request for 60 persons will come from the LA National Guard. (10 for Sorrento, 20 for Donaldsonville, and 30 for Gonzales)

Donations & Resource Information:

  • Ascension Credit Union is accepting donations for victims of Hurricane Katrina being sheltered at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. Monetary donations can be made at the credit union at 2430 S Burnside Ave in Gonzales. The number to call is 225 647 GIVE.
  • The combined Ascension and Donaldsonville Chambers of Commerce are coordinating volunteer recruitment, business donations, and coordination of relief activities by area businesses. It will be called, “Operation Good Neighbor.”
  • Contact number for FEMA is 1 800 621-FEMA
  • Contact number for Red Cross is 1 800 GET-INFO

Faith Based Organizations:
Local churches are combining efforts to increase communictons and allotcation of goods and services including the transportation and housing of refugees.

Currently setting up central comm. center between First Baptist and First United Methodist.

Situation Report
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
4:00 PM
NWS Advisory # 26A
Download Microsoft Word Version

Summary:

  1. Evacuation has been lifted.
  2. An estimated 1,500 people are sheltering in Ascension Parish.
  3. Local power outages are reported affecting East Ascension.
  4. 334 Structures damaged
  5. Mostly light damage (shingles blown off)
  6. Moderate & heavy damage due to trees or limbs falling on homes.
  7. Waiting on report from city of Donaldsonville Fire District 3.
  8. 3 Fire stations with Damage.
  9. Distribution points for ice and water are being established for both the east and west banks.
  10. A donation, receiving and distribution site should be opened by Thursday afternoon.
  11. The combined Ascension and Donaldsonville Chambers of Commerce are coordinating volunteer recruitment, business donations, and coordination of relief activities by area businesses. It will be called, “Operation Good Neighbor.”
  12. Population count for Lamar Dixon still remains at approximately 1500+

Weather: The weather forecast for Ascension Parish is "Generally Sunny" with a temperature high of 96 degrees F. Winds North North-East around 5-10 miles per hour.

Evacuation: Both Precautionary and Recommended evacuations have been lifted.

Sheltering: Dutchtown High School has been closed. Evacuees are now housed at Lamar Dixon Center that exceeded capacity shortly after opening. Lamar Dixon is being setup as the parish Red Cross Shelter. There are approximately 1,500 people in the shelter.

  • Southern University, Clark Hall
  • Denham Springs High School – 1000 N. Range, Denham Springs (225) 686-3066
  • Port Allen Community Center – 749 North Jefferson, Port Allen (225) 346-1577
  • Port Allen High School – 610 Rosedale Rd., Port Allen (225) 436-1577

Special Needs: St. Elizabeth is taking patients from Kenner Region and receiving nurses from Tulane. Bed status from, St. Elizabeth Hospital as of 11:00 AM: Med-Surgery = 4, Pediatric (non ICU) = 4, ICU =5. This hospital can take up to 5 vent patients from New Orleans if needed. A second Emergency Room fast track has been setup with Nurse Practitioners. Additionally, State Special Needs shelters (SNS) opened in Baton Rouge (LSU Fieldhouse); Monroe; Alexandria. Special needs patients need to call the DHH triage hotline prior to traveling to a SNS. 800-349-1372. Wal-mart pharmacy will be open until midnight tonight and other local pharmacies will be open until 6:00 PM.

  • Desperate Needs for St. Elizabeth Hospital: O2E cylinders, 4x4 sterile gauze packs, Registered Nurses preferably with Emergency Room experience and Security.

Casualties: none

Traffic: Traffic is light throughout the parish and we have no reports of road closures at the time of this report. Electrical outages will negatively impact returning traffic managment throughout the next twenty-four hours.

Resources: 19 requests for assistance were made to Parish Agencies; 21 made for State agency assistance. The EOC is activated. Agencies monitoring the situation are AP Shelter Task Force; Louisiana National Guard; Fire and Rescue; DSS.

Power Outages: Fewer than 13,000 residents are reported to be without power; Power outages are reported in the St. Amant (431), Acy (22), Sorrento (1-10), Hilleryville, and Prarieville Communities. Entergy is reporting that 720,000 customers in LA are without power. Approximately 10,000 homes in Ascension Parish still without power.

Crews working in the following area:

  • Gonzales – Spillman, Cornerview, Vesta, Jeansome, S. John, Kennedy Heights subdivision, Susan Place, Coontrap to Hwy. 74 N. Toby
  • Sorrento – Main St. & other running off main. Brittany St, Main to Tower Rd. Johnson St.
  • St. Amant, Brittany – Scattered & individual outages in Oak Grove area, old Perkins, Alligator Bayou, Fountain Hill, Manchac Acres. HWY 22, 431, and 933.
  • Prairieville – Rhonda Place, Quail Creek and the Hwy. 44 & 42 (Y) – area. Hwy 935

School: Per the last sitatuon report, 11 schools are without power. Schools have been closed for the day of Wedenesday August 31.

National Guard

  • National Guard assets on mission in Ascension Parish since last SITREP:
  • 2 Liaison Personnel (415th MI Bn) – Manning Parish EOC
  • National Guard assets requested for Ascension Parish missions:
    • 30 Personnel – Tasked to provide security support at and Lamar-Dixon shelter; confirmed with Alternate JOC (Gillis W. Long Center in Carville, LA) at 1215 hours 31 August 2005 that 30 armed Soldiers were en route from the 769th Engineer Bn; as of 1415 hours, HQ 769th Engr reported that the Soldiers are at the C/769th Armory in Gonzales, drawing weapons and ammo; ETA at Lamar-Dixon is 1445 hours
    • 5 Dump Trucks – Status unknown (ETeam System Down)
    • 15 kw Generator – Status unknown (ETeam System Down)
  • Issues:
    • Near-total lack of communications with National Guard temporary JOC at the Superdome, New Orleans, LA
    • Lack of National Guard command-and-control elements in areas less affected by Hurricane Katrina (Alternate JOC at Gillis W. Long Center in Carville, LA, seems to have assumed some C3 functions)
    • Spotty communications within area of operations
    • Flow of National Guard assets to New Orleans area



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