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Jefferson Parish Residents May Return Monday
Strict Rules Will Be Enforced

POSTED: 11:01 am CDT September 3, 2005
UPDATED: 12:01 pm CDT September 3, 2005

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Jefferson Parish emergency management leaders announced a plan to allow residents to go back to their homes on Monday.

People will be allowed back starting at 6 a.m. Monday and continuing indefinitely. However there are strict conditions:

Nobody will be allowed to use Interstate 10 east of Laplace on the East Bank. In addition, nobody will be allowed to use the elevated West Bank Expressway routes. Those highways are reserved for the Louisiana State Police and the National Guard for emergency evacuations.

The driver of any car entering Jefferson Parish must show identification proving residence. Drivers without proper identification will not be allowed in and will be turned away.

Parish President Aaron Broussard suggests people plan on staying outside the parish until at least Sept. 11.

Parish leaders recommend that people carpool into the parish to save gas and time.

Parish leaders suggest appointing one person from your household to go to your home to secure valuables and assess the damage.

Parish leaders advise that women should not travel alone into the parish.

Bring bottled water. Do not attempt to drink the water from the faucet.

If you need to flush a toilet, the first flush will work, but the second flush will require more water.

No stores are open in Jefferson Parish. If you need anything, you must bring it in with you, including fuel for your vehicle.

People can stay for a night or two, but conditions are primitive because of a lack of electricity, water and sanitation services.

Drive carefully since many traffic signals and traffic signs have been destroyed.

A full curfew remains in effect from dusk to dawn.

Some items that you might want to bring include:
Cameras for insurance documentation
Prescription drugs
Non-perishable foods
Sanitation supplies
Plastic bags
Disinfectant
Batteries
Baby supplies
Manual can opener
Paper plates, cups, napkins, etc.

Jefferson Parish Web Site