From Su in Shreveport:
Reports about St. Mary Parish are now beginning to come in, so I've enabled the Comments section below. If you have spoken with someone reliable, please feel free to post information that might be helpful to the rest of us as we try to determine when and how to return to the parish. The Comments section requires me to release your comments after I have reviewed them, so if you don't see your contribution right away, just check back in a little while, and it will probably appear.
To add a Comment, you can create a Google user name OR you can simply use the Anonymous option--but if you do, please include your name so that we know who you are.
Here is a link to the City of Morgan City website, which discourages Morgan City residents from returning now:
http://cityofmc.com/message.html.
If you need to email me, please use the following alternate address: su.dupre@gmail.com. You might also consider creating a gmail address since the St. Mary Parish Web Mail service will be down for some time. If you send me your new address, I'll be able to forward messages to you.
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29 comments:
The Patterson Police Department has told me we will not have electricity for 7 more days. they are NOT allowing anyone into Patterson at this time. the regular police department phone is working, however they are being flooded with calls. They DO have water in Patterson. That number is 985-395-6161. I Hope everyone of you is safe.
Mike Galler here from Canton Texas, east of Dallas. Have recevied reports CHS took minor damage, possible leaks only. Lots of trees and pwr lines down.
Reports from contacts in Morgan City - major CLECO lines downs and will repair in 3 to 5 days. Report waste treatment plant took small tornado hit. Report also that no one is being allowed in Franklin without a pass and reports of National Guard in Morgan City not letting people in.
Facutly and Staff, my plans are to move Wed. a.m., to Lafayette where my sister lives.
Thanks, Mike. We plan to move to Lafayette, too, on Wednesday if possible. We will stay with my daughter and try to venture forth as soon as we can so that we can assess the damage.
sudu
Anyone having information on the damages in Amelia please post it. I am in Florida and limited to the news I can obtain. Thank you. I also hope everyone is safe. I live in Patterson so the number is greatly appreciated.
I have heard from Dr Mancuso and Suzanne Bergeron. MC has no power, no water, and no sewer. Berwick has no power. The MCHS stadium fence was down and the bus canopy at MCJHS I think was damaged. We are in Destin where it is nice and sunny. Teresa is in Indiana. We have been texting back and forth. Lisa T
Kevin Chauvin here in Mobile.
Thanks Su for creating this and for the reports you and Mike, I heard the same about treatment plant. Not sure about this, but also heard the Steam Plant took a hit. I know of one person trying to go to MC today just to check on house then off to Lafayette. I may do the same if they make it, at least to fuel up and crank off a generator... Anybody hear anything about Berwick? Water? Waste Treatment? Electricity?
This is Lauren Matte in Prairieville. Any word on extending school closures?
9/02/08 The local and national News said people who live in Morgan City are not be let back into town. We have no water, power, sewage and it will be at least 4 to 6 days until we get it back. Can someone please post when we have school so the teachers can get organized?
Berwick has water and sewer but no power. Keith has not heard from Doc since yesterday. We have tried to call and text him. He must be going crazy if he has no communication. Schools will not be open as long as there is no electricity. See Tim Matte's message at www.cityofmc.com
To those of you asking about school closings: We know that there is no school on Wednesday. I am trying to contact officials who can verify further school closing, but I know you understand that communication is spotty. I will post this information just as soon as I receive it.
sudu
From Tim Matte on website
We are requesting that all citizens of Morgan City who evacuated for Hurricane Gustav do not return until further notice. The City has lost 100 percent of electrical services, as well as water, and sewerage services. The electrical services are expected to be down for approximately 6 - 7 days and it is expected that the City will be without running water for approximately 4 days.
Toilets will not flush until the water services are reestablished. Once water services initially return to your faucets, it can be used for flushing. However, do NOT use it for drinking or cooking.
Due to these utility outages, we strongly discourage citizens who have evacuated from returning at this time. The National Guard is stationed at all points leading back into the City to deter reentry. We will let the public know when the services are available for our citizens to return.
Any residents still in Morgan City should understand these conditions and that they are restricted to their personal properties.
This is Molly and Joe Stadalis writing from Mississippi. We have very limited cell phone service but do have texting capability. As soon as we hear official word about school closures, we will notify the faculty and staff of both PJHS and Aucoin. Many of our employees are in other states and have very limited access right now to information. They are relying on texting and this website as their means of communicating about home and school. Has anyone gone out to see how the schools fared? We will wait to hear before heading back. My non-school email address is mstadalis@gmail.com if any of my teachers/staff need to reach me. My cell works sometimes and texting is a good way to reach me too. We wish all of you a safe return.
Mickey Fabre, Principal of Morgan City High School:
The school has suffered some damage. Most of the classrooms with windows have taken in large amounts of water. The MPB is missing a corner (beams and insulation are visible). We do have electricity in some parts of the building due to the generators. The food in the cafeteria is safe (freezers and coolers run off of generators).
As you know, there is no water, sewerage, or electricity in Morgan City. National Guard troops stop everyone attempting to access the city. They ask for ID. They will not keep you out. However, they warn you that the city is without services.
There are MANY powerlines and poles down. It will take a long time to restore electricity.
In Patterson, we have water and sewerage. However, there is no electricity. Most people have generators and have begun the clean up process.
Hollywood Truck Plaza in Berwick is selling gas at this time. You can also use a credit card to purchase fuel and items from the store.
My teachers and staff can reach me on my cell phone (although reception is poor). There are times in the day when reception is clear and I can receive calls. You can also leave me a message on the school phone (985-384-1754 (ext. 2101). I will try to return you call as soon as possible.
Just received word from one of my teachers on the following conditions at CHS.
The computer labs are ok!
The computer lab in the jr. high wing has water from ceiling tiles, but not on computers.
The cafeteria hallway has water. Guess is from the courtyard that continues to flood.
The skylights inthe high school building are in tact, but water from rain and wind has come in through cracks (not broken windows)on the floors in the upstairs high school and library.
Other than food that's in the freezer thats off, no problems.
Just seen lots of water on the floors from leaks.
Ag. Dept has water from leaks in the ceilings. Lots of ceiling tiles wet.
Not bad otherwise. ( Thanks Robbie Leblanc )
MG.
This is Erik Savoy. I went and checked out PJHS. Everything looked fine there, besides the debris from leaves and branches. I had some dampness in my classroom but that was from a window that blew open. I could not see any broken windows or other classrooms that had windows that came open.
In other news, I went to Morgan City and they will let you in, but you must have proof you live in Morgan City, but prefer to not have you back. There is no water, electricity, and sewer and Teche Regional is closed for several days.
Also, the cell phones aren't working from Stephensville to Centerville. I'm holed up in Franklin Foundation with my wife, but at least it's air conditioned.
Noelle Lowrimore here from Houston. I have heard much of what has already been posted. National Gaurd not allowing anyone to return to the parish. Teche Regional is not open. Does anyone know if Green Acres in Patterson has water/sewerage? We get our water from Centerville. Also, any news on damage to BHS? Alternate email address is nlowrimore@yahoo.com. Thanks for the updates!
Berwick is letting people return there is just no electricity. We heard that there is minor damage to BHS and that the visiting bleachers are in the middle of the football field. There are power lines down and such but nothing too major. There was a couple of tornadoes in the tri city area too that took out a couple of businesses. We heard from a good source that it would probably be 7 to 10 days before electricity would be back on. Be careful if anyone decides to venture back in.
I was told by Markita Arthur (OEP Director Duval Arthur's wife) that Berwick is running on the water in the towers, and once that is gone there is no more fresh water until they can begin processing again. I don't know how that would affect sewer if you have water to flush with already. Also, can it be verified that you can get into MC? We need to go rescue pets after much drama the night before the storm in which my mother's apartment was broken into and the animals released. If we can get to Lafayette we want to go rescue the pets and then wait out the electricity. Thanks for this source of local info!!! Jean McCorkle swimminginspam@yahoo.com
Heard from reliable source that power has been restored to parts of Franklin
Carmen LaGarde here from Lafayette. My father is the chairman of the parish council in St. Mary Parish. He said that it would be best for people to stay where they are if possible. He also said that if too many people try to enter Patterson before power is restored then the sewage system may back up. Also, I asked him about Patterson Junior and he said that there was no visible damage to the building. I hope everyone is well.
Any news on Patterson Elementary OR Aucoin would be appreciated. I live across the street from PES and work at JSAES. Thanks. I am in Panama City, FL. I was told by the Patterson Police Department earlier today there is water but not electricity. They say there is no major damage in Patterson.
Gina Gallo here in Knoxville, TN...just talked to my fiancee in Charenton (on the reservation). He said that there is no electricity and it may be down for days. There are trees down around our house and electrical wires down in the street. Does anyone know if West St.Mary High School suffered any damage? I hope everyone is safe.
Donna Veazey checking in from Texarkana, TX. Start the long haul home tomorrow. My Brother works for Cleco in Patterson and they are working hard. At lunch time today only hand full of employees working on restoring electricity. Workers from other cities are enroute from out of town and should be there to help by now. We live by the nursing home in Patterson and electricity was restored today and our subdivision is on the same line so we now have electricity. We are hearing that sewage my not be completely up to par.
I do know of someone who made it to MC today without much trouble, they checked on things and left for Lafayette and AC!
Hey everyone. Reporting from Jackson, MS. Convoys of electric trucks on their way south. John is going back to Patterson tomorrow, but the girls and I are staying put until electricity is closer to being restored.
Hi Pamela Price here...we are back in Morgan City and the electricity is back on since about 8:00pm tonight...we have water also but they said not to drink or cook with it yet....as for being able to get into Morgan City...we came in at about 1:00pm today and all they did was ask if we were residents and told us about the water treatment plant and Teche being down and the curfew....my brother was also able to get home to Bayou Vista this evening...they have phone, cable, water but not electricity...Hope everyone is doing fine....see you later
I have had several reports that people are being let into town without trouble. I think from the east people are going to Lafayette and coming down to get in. New Orelans is not letting you through. I 55 is closed from Hammond South too fdor flooding and downed trees. I 12 seems to be opened from the DOTD site information. Please everyone trying to go home be safe.
I need to rephrase my comment about electricity in Morgan City....not all of Morgan City has electricity yet but a big portion of it does....they are working to get it all on today or tomorrow...sorry for the misinformtion....Pamela Price
Just a reminder that a Louisiana landline is necessary for successful calling during a catastrophe. Cell phones rarely work. Also, many of the emergency numbers were either continuously busy or only offered an automated response that was of no help. Some, like the La Attorney General's number was wrong. The following was given to me yesterday by Allyson Funk with Homeland Security: 2-2-1 must be dialed from a landline or if you want to try your cell phone *2-1-1. You can reach the GOSHEP hotline at 1-800-749-COPE for the most recent recorded hurricane update. The LSP # is 5-7-7 or *5-7-7 for cell if you want to try. The correct Louisiana Attorney General's hotline number is 1-800-256-4506 not the one listed. The DOE number only had a recording which was no help. I never was able to get through to the St.Mary Sheriff's office or Emergency Mgt. Many websites were given but are not accessible without power. It would be helpful to have radio station phone #s for those who have battery powered radios who want to call in with questions or info. Charlotte Gray
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