TPCG press briefing for Friday, September 5

1. Look and leave began at 6:00 am today until 8:00 pm tonight, continuing every day until further notice. Residents are not encouraged to remain overnight in the parish, but if they do, they are subject to the curfew laws in effect; that being 8:00 pm until 6:00 am.

2. Major intersections in parish are presently being manned by law enforcement personnel and residents are reminded that they are to treat all intersections as a four-way stop. Stop signs are being brought into the parish and will on an intersectional basis be placed so that law enforcement officers can return to other functions.

3. Residents are asked to stay off of roadways except when they have to come in and leave. The reason for this is that excessive traffic on roadways will slow work crews who are taking part in the restoration process for utilities, hospitals, and other functions necessary to restore our infrastructure.

4. Unfortunately, as residents reenter the parish, crime will become an issue again. There was a hostage situation, which was resolved yesterday in Terrebonne as well as a murder, with the suspects being apprehended. Residents are to report any suspicious activity in and about their property to local law enforcement personnel.

5. No burn ordinance remains in effect for parish. However, Ashland landfill is open to the public between the hours of 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. We are attempting to have the landfill open seven (7) days a week and will supplement this information.

6. We anticipate that residential garbage pickup will begin Saturday morning, September 6, 2008, on a limited basis. You should place your trash where you normally do so and remember to keep it out of the roadways, out of drainage ditches, and on top of storm drains.

7. A number of businesses are opening and in particular, those related to health care. A list of pharmacies that are open for business will be provided at this afternoon’s briefing and will be posted as they open on the parish’s website.

8. Terrebonne General Medical Center emergency room is open, but residents are asked to use this facility only for acute care and not for minor injuries, such as sprains, burns, etc. Attempts are being made to open two (2) facilities on the East Side as well as the West Side and when those locations are open, that information will be provided.

9. Electrical power for the parish is a major concern, as well as water. Power has not been restored to the parish and residents are reminded that it will likely be a week or more until that may happen.

10. Several gas stations ha opened, lines remain long at those stations, and a list of same will be provided as soon as it has been compiled.

11. Distribution sites for food, water, ice, and meals ready to eat (mre) are up and running at the following locations:

Civic Center

Upper Dularge Fire Station

Grand Caillou Middle School

Little Caillou Fire Training Facility

South Terrebonne High School

H.L. Bourgeois High School

These sites are expected to have heavy traffic and will have to be continually stocked on a daily basis.

12. Residents are reminded to use caution when employing contractors to do repair work on their property. All contractors should have a parish occupational license. The Attorney General’s Office for the State of Louisiana, as well as District Attorney Joe Waitz, will prosecute to the fullest extent possible all those charged with contractor fraud and other individuals who take advantage of the elderly and disadvantaged during this emergency situation.

13. Animal supplies are being given out in the parking lot of Pet Smart on Martin Luther King Blvd. The supplies are only for those who are in need of the following:

Kennels

Bowls

Leashes

Litter boxes

There are no food supplies right now and when it becomes available, it will be announced.

14. The National Guard continues to provide assets in the form of machinery and personnel to supplement the recover in Terrebonne. At the present time, there are 400 National Guardsman working on behalf of the recovery effort and they are providing needed support to all phases of recovery effort to get Terrebonne Parish back up and running.

15. Again, we want to supply key numbers for residents to contact for assistance during this disaster. They are as follows:

Questions on reentry should be directed to the Unified Command at 985-873-6357. Due to the volume of calls, we ask for your continued patience.

To request assistance and hotel reimbursement, call 1-800-621-FEMA, or go on-line at www.FEMA.GOV.

Red Cross website contains link to “Safe and Well” registry for evacuees at www.redcross.org.

Michel Claudet Parish President

L. Vernon Bourgeois Sheriff and Director of Emergency Operations