PRESIDENT COOPER OFFERS UPDATE ON HURRICANE IDA RECOVERY

ST. TAMMANY, LA. – St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper provides information on Hurricane Ida recovery efforts.

“With rivers cresting below expected levels, we are now shifting our full attention to getting our Parish back to normal,” said Cooper. “We know that our neighbors are putting debris on roads and trying to get their homes back to normal. I am asking our residents to be patient in the coming days and weeks, as we await gas stations to fill up, power to restore and businesses to reopen.”

President Cooper ended the curfew, which was put in place prior to Hurricane Ida, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.

Residents who are putting debris on the curb should follow these directions:

• · Put on the back side of drainage ditches and away from catch basins and mailboxes.
• · Separate by white goods, electronics and green debris.
• · Do not bag.

St. Tammany Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has requested points of distribution sites, or PODS, and is awaiting approval from the state.

Animals currently housed at Animal Services are safe and secure. Animal Services is working with organizations to find homes for those pets.

Power companies are continuing efforts to replace power lines and clear areas, in order to reinstitute power to homes and businesses. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 90% of St. Tammany Parish, totaling more than 100,000 customers, is still without power.

Washington-St. Tammany Electric has 340 personnel from within the community and across the country working together. WSTE said some neighbors have had power return on Tuesday, but they are cutting through debris and other trees to get to substations.

Cleco, who provides power to more than 95,000 customers in St. Tammany, said they are continuing

Power is expected to be restored in the coming days, but it could be a few weeks.

Tammany Utilities is still under a precautionary Boil Water Advisory and asking customers to limit water consumption.  The advisory is out of an abundance of caution.  Due to Hurricane Ida, results of LDH water testing will likely be delayed. Some private utilities have done the same, including:  City of Covington, the Town of Abita Springs, and the Town of Madisonville.

All rivers that St. Tammany Parish Government has been monitoring, with the exception of the Bogue Chitto and Pearl River, crested last night at levels below projected.

The lower levels are mostly attributable to the low amount of rainfall received after the initial pass of the storm.

• · Tchefuncte River near Covington – The river crested at Moderate Flood stage (27.54 ft.) last night around 7 p.m. The river is showing gradual decline in water surface elevation (27.4 ft), this may increase slightly depending on any additional rainfall over the next 24 hours, but is not expected to be severe.
• ·  Bogue Falaya River at Boston Street – The river is currently at Moderate Flood stage (14.15 ft) and is on a downward trend in elevation. The river crested at 15.48 feet around 8 p.m. last night.
• · Bogue Falaya River near Camp Covington - The river is currently at Moderate Flood stage (50.49 feet). This is down significantly from the crest of 57.61 feet that occurred last night around 7 p.m.
• · Abita River at Abita Springs – Abita River crested at 25.29 feet on Monday around 8 p.m. The elevation is currently at 23.13 feet and is showing a gradual decline. This decline should continue unless there are significant rainstorms today.
• · Bogue Chitto near Bush – The river is currently at Minor Flood stage (11.69 feet). A rise in the river level is expected, and may reach an almost Moderate Flood stage of 16.52 feet Thursday at 8 a.m.  In March 2016, the river reached a level of 21.36 feet.
• · Pearl River near Pearl River –The river is currently at Minor Flood stage (14.54 feet). The river is expected to reach crest Friday night with a crest at 17.49 feet. This projected crest is short of Major Flood stage at 18.0 feet.

Rescues were made in St. Tammany Parish by first responders.  More rescues may ensue, leading to a potential increase in shelter populations. Currently, St. Tammany Parish’s shelter population is at 68.

Shelters, of last resort, are still open at:

Creekside Jr. High – General Population Electrically Dependent Shelter:
- Must require electricity to sustain life
- Must have one caregiver 18 years or older (only one will be allowed) to accompany
- Must bring own linen and bedding, food and water, and medicines.

Lee Road Jr. High – General Population:
- Must bring own linen and bedding and food and water

St. Tammany Parish Government offices will be closed on Wednesday, September 1, 2021.
The St. Tammany Parish Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 2, 2021 has been canceled.

Parish Public Works crews have been working since Hurricane Ida diminished in St. Tammany to assess and clear roadways. Public Works crews, in addition to push contractors, will have state highways cleared by the end of Tuesday.