JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — Jefferson Parish President, along with several other local representatives from the parish - including the sheriff and Entergy - held a press conference Friday to give an update on the precautions they are taking ahead of Tropical Storm Barry's impending landfall.
Here is the latest information:
Operations
- Jefferson transit will be suspended beginning at 8 p.m through Sunday
- Buses at Zephyr Field at 6000 Airline Drive Metairie, LA 70003 are a staging ground in the event of a state-called evacuation
Cleaning catch basins
"We were spared from rain yesterday," explained Jefferson Parish President Michael S. Yenni
That allowed for the parish to take even more preventative measures to curb flooding including:
- Cleaning 3,500 catch basins Thursday
- Cleaning 3,100 catch basins Friday
- So far, the parish says it has cleaned more than 8,000 catch basins to prepare for the storm, and has cleaned 28,000 basins since Jan. 1
"We have some of the most dedicated employees, and I thank them," Yenni said.
Pumping stations & Canals
- Officials said the pumping stations throughout the parish are 99 percent operational - 189 of 190 pumps are online.
- Officials said they expanded the capacity of stations in Kenner, near the airport and have put three new stations online since last year
- They said they are also confident in the 17th Street and London Canals, which they note were put to the test already during Isaac. Officials said they don't anticipate over-topping
- Canals have been pumped down as low as possible ahead of Barry's landfall
Flood gates
- The governor issued an order for all flood gates in the impacted area to be closed, for the first time ever, because of concerns over the current high level of the Mississippi River.
- As of 6:15 p.m., all 244 flood gates in the area were closed, in addition to eight large sector gates
- Officials said they are "confident" the entire system will withstand what Tropical Storm Barry will bring
Grand Isle
- Officials say the island currently has no power
- The permanent pumps on the island operate on power, and are not working, according to officials. However, officials said about nine temporary pumps on the island are working
- Around 2:30 or 3 p.m., a tidal surge inundated the island. There is major flooding on the island, but officials are trying to pump it down. They added that the tide has gone down, which is helping
- There is a curfew in place starting at 10 p.m.
- Officials estimate there are roughly 1200 people on the island. Of those, they say roughly 500 stayed
- The island is currently experiencing 65 mph gusts
Lafitte
- The Water is rising, but there is no flooding as of Friday night.
Entergy
- Currently, 4,300+ residents are without power, with 2,800 of those outages in Grand Isle
- being dealt with on regular repairs schedule
- Officials said they have about 2,800 active personnel in area who will deal with outages, but they will move personnel as issues arise where landfall occurs, toward New Iberia and Morgan City.
- Currently, LA 1 road closed, preventing crews from entering Grand Isle to work. Once the roadway is clear Entergy said it will make preparations to move in
- They reminded that crews are not allowed to work in the buckets in winds above 30 mph for safety
Sheriff's Office
- Officials are asking the public to stay off the streets
- They noted that so far, residents appear to have been heeding warnings
- They reminded residents to secure items in their yards because of winds
Officials concluded the press conference by asking residents for patience, especially when it comes to anticipated additional power outages.
"Jefferson Parish is prepared," Yenni promised.