State of Louisiana                                                                            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Office of the Governor                                                                                            September 5, 2011

GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL                                     Press Office: Melissa Sellers, Kyle Plotkin

                                                                                            Contact: 225-342-8006, (c) 225-328-3755

Governor Jindal’s office released the following information today on the state’s efforts to continue to respond to the effects of Tropical Storm Lee.

Governor Jindal said, “Our agencies are working to clear the roads of debris, assess impacted areas and keep in close contact with parish emergency offices to make sure our communities are safe and getting the resources they need to get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

“Livingston Parish has received another 40,000 sandbags from GOHSEP for a total of 80,000 sandbags, and disaster recovery teams are also reaching out to parishes to conduct preliminary damage assessments, which help parishes apply for federal disaster assistance.

“The Louisiana Army National Guard is preparing to conduct a levee assessment helicopter flight in support of Terrebonne Parish when weather conditions permit."

Transportation

·         DOTD has begun removing debris from state highways and bridges to ensure the state's roadways are open as quickly as possible. To date, DOTD has removed more than 110 trees from roadways.

·         DOTD crews have repaired more than a 17 traffic signals.

·         To date, DOTD has hauled 225 loads of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) material (filler used to create a structure) to build approximately 1,500 feet of flood protection along La. 23. DOTD utilized 18 trucks and 20 staff members to build the 3 to 4 foot high RAP material berm near the edge of the Southbound outside shoulder of LA 23 beginning at the Myrtle Grove Marina and proceeding in both directions to just pass Ironton Road to the North before where the upper Citrus levee meets LA 23 to the South.

·         DOTD proactively moved RAP material on standby should it be needed to assist Lafourche Parish in flood prevention efforts along US 90 near Bayou Dumar.

·         Notable re-openings include:

o   In St. Tammany Parish, the Bayou Bonfouca Bridge on La. 433 is back in service.

o   La. 22 has re-opened in both directions between Fairview Drive and Penns Chapel Road (near Mandeville). Water remains on portions of the roadway so motorists should proceed with caution.

o   In the New Orleans area, all bridges/locks are now operational again and are open for marine and vehicular traffic.

Oyster Areas

Oyster Areas 1-28 – which were closed as a precaution before the storm – will open again on Tuesday at sunrise.

Shelter Space 

There are two shelters still active – one in Jefferson Parish and one in Livingston Parish – with approximately 50 occupants, total.

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