Yes, you can get back into Jefferson Parish right now (not the City of New Orleans though). the following is from the Jefferson Parish Web Site:
Labor Day Re-Entry Plan
Saturday, September 3, 2005
This statement is to confirm that Jefferson Parish Government is committed to its announced "Labor Day Re-Entry Plan" that will begin at 6 a.m. on Monday, September 5, 2005. Here are the strict conditions of the "Re-Entry for Jefferson".
First, no one will be able to use the I-10 (east of Laplace) on the Eastbank nor the elevated Westbank Expressway routes. The state highways are reserved for the State Police and the National Guard for emergency evacuations for the City of New Orleans, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines Parishes. Access to these roadways will be strictly prohibited until further notice.
Secondly, the driver of the vehicle must have some form of identification that shows you as a resident of Jefferson Parish in order to be admitted. Passengers with such drivers will be admitted. Drivers without identification will be turned away, so please do not attempt it. Drivers attempting to re-enter without identification must wait until Thursday to enter Jefferson Parish.
Parish President Aaron Broussard advises that re-entry to Jefferson Parish will end at 6: p.m. each day for as long as the Parish is under Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721 et seq., which will be at least one month. Due to the curfew in effect, cars arriving in the re-entry line after 6:00 p.m. will not be allowed to enter. You will have to turn back. It will not be safe for you to violate curfew, so don't try.
Additionally, no cars will be allowed in Jefferson Parish on any day past 6:00 p.m. for the next month, as long as Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721 et seq. is in effect.
Parish President Aaron Broussard suggests that all Jefferson Parish residents consider extending their present out-of-town accommodations until at least Sunday, September 11th, so that spouse and children could remain in their present location and allow the "Head of Household" to travel into Jefferson Parish to evaluate their home site, document any damage to property, secure valuables, collect clothes, and return to the "out of Jefferson" location to determine their families' future options.
President Broussard also recommends "Heads of Household" should car-pool with others from common locations to save gas, reduce re-entry time, and have handy help to secure homes if they are found damaged. Female "Heads of Household" should arrive with another female or male. Women should not come alone.
Here are the major re-entry tips for Citizens returning to Jefferson Parish:
Cash should be acquired before you return to Jefferson Parish. Credit cards and checks will not be accepted at businesses that are open.
Bring drinking water with you! Do not attempt to drink the water coming from any faucet in Jefferson Parish. There is a Boil Water Order throughout the Metro area.
The first flush of your toilet may work. After that, you will need to pour water into the toilet for it to flush.
There are no stores of any kind open in Jefferson Parish. Make sure you have a full tank of gas to het here and get back because there is a short supply of gas in the area. You may run out of gas and be stranded.
Bring cameras for insurance documentation.
Bring prescription drugs.
Bring nonperishable foods.
Bring sanitation supplies, plastic garbage bags, disinfectant, batteries, baby supplies, and manual can opener, paper products (plates, cups, napkins).
Citizens may decide to stay a night or two, but conditions are primitive and uncomfortable.
Be advised that all traffic signals have been destroyed. Therefore, you must be prepared for police at major intersections in the Parish. Additionally, many intersections in the Parish may not have any traffic signaling and no police, therefore you must drive at reduced speeds and very carefully.
One thousand troops of the Army National Guard will arrive on Monday in Jefferson Parish and will be immediately deployed to assist Jefferson Parish, City, and State Law Enforcement officers to help continue our security efforts throughout our Parish and municipalities as our citizens return.
A full curfew is in effect from dusk to dawn in Jefferson Parish. Be advised that the Parish still have authority to restore and maintain order pursuant to the authority of the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721 et seq.. Citizens should be prepared to see armed military and paramilitary units of various law enforcement agencies. Do not by any means attempt to break any armed protective barriers in Jefferson Parish.
This is an updated message:
09/04/05, 4:30 p.m. - Effective at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 8, 2005, only emergency vehicles will be allowed to travel the streets of Jefferson Parish, day or night. The Parish will be in lock-down mode, meaning that any citizens who have remained in the Parish after 6:00 p.m. on Thursday cannot drive on the streets of the Parish.
You can visit the web site yourself for reliable information at:
www.jeffparish.net/I notice they also have links to the Sheriff's office there. They should have the other information you request.
Good luck!
