Dateline NBC just had a report in the French Quarter...and it looked good!

[lbgraves]

O'Brian's is in good condition. The owner stayed there for the storm. Cafe du Monde looks ready to open after they move the tables back outside. People had the annual decadence parade today down Bourbon Street. Jackson Square has a few trees down but that is it. The horse & buggies are going down the street. It is truely amazing that in the middle of all of this distruction...surrounded by flooding and death...the history of the French Quarter survived. The Cathedral, all of the downtown would have been unable to be replaced. I have taken the walking tour given by the forestry service downtown and heard the history of the great fire that destroyed so much of the city. They also showed some of the animals in the zoo and all are ok. They did not mention the aquarium. They even interviewed one woman and mentioned Mardi Gras and she was very insistant that there WILL be a Mardi Gras next year.

I am in NO WAY trivializing what has happened in the rest of the city or saying anything else except that as someone who once lived in NO it gives me a small bit of comfort to know that when I am able to return there SOME of the city & history that I love will still be in tact. It has sounded like the entire city was going to have to be bulldozed & rebuilt. Like I said, I hope that noone takes offense to this because that is not at all what I intended.

[staci]

I am so glad to hear this!

I have never been to NO, but I know what it is like to have personal connections to places, and I am so glad that all the people who have these connections with NO have not lost everything. :flower:

[ThAnswr]

There's almost like a little civilized world going on in the FQ. People are forming "tribes" and getting together for a hot meal and some conversation. These people are refusing to leave and I don't blame them. I wouldn't either.

The story was in our paper yesterday.

You've got to respect gumption like that. God Bless New Orleans.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That is really good. But I'm sure they'll get chased out soon enough though :(.

I'm very relieved that the historic portion withstood Katrina and do hope the rest of New Orleans can be salvage and sanitized as much as possible.

[BuckNaked]

There's almost like a little civilized world going on in the FQ. People are forming "tribes" and getting together for a hot meal and some conversation. These people are refusing to leave and I don't blame them. I wouldn't either.

The story was in our paper yesterday.

You've got to respect gumption like that. God Bless New Orleans.

ITA - thumbs up for the folks in the French Quarter.

[LoraJ]

That's so good to hear!!!!

[DawnCt1]

Amazing, Good news!!!

[zippeedee]

That is really good. But I'm sure they'll get chased out soon enough though :(.

I'm very relieved that the historic portion withstood Katrina and do hope the rest of New Orleans can be salvage and sanitized as much as possible.

I heard earlier today that the National Guard was going door to door in the FQ today and forcing people to leave. That surprised me because they weren't forcing evacuations in the flooded areas. It does make law enforcement easier if there is no one there though I guess.

[shelby_36]

I think it will be important for the rebuilding to have a base. It will be like Quebec - an old city and new city. It will maybe draw MORE people to New Orleans.
And of course it couldn't have been a better part of the city (no offense meant I don't know the city) But Historically speaking at least that will be preserved.

[totalia]

How's Bourbon and Royal Street? Or did they show them?

You have no idea how good it is to hear that it looks good.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I think I recall seeing video of bourbon street....how good are you with maps...if you are very familiar and can compare and count streets---try this link and you can see where the flood line is---

I have figured out that my old home has been spared--and my school and part of my route to school is flooded....and my key memory spots in the quarter. But that is it.

http://www.digitalglobe.com/images/katrina/Hurricane_Katrina-New_Orleans.pdf
This is the large file that shows the flood line-though a bit too zoomed out...but you may be able to find what you are looking for.

http://www.digitalglobe.com/images/katrina/new_orleans_msi_aug31_2005_dg.jpg
This map--if you zoom in, you might be able to find the street better--looks like 6 blocks in from the river is dry in the quarter.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&location=xezXwM7rdCySKORcELkNUMmB7xoYUcBx1KIzMn5xB ZHj6KRFCxJ7ebKvnQ9pVbQJL%2bRj%2fx%2bFuQf9a3XkLI5%2 bXeW16B759D9OBzbaPDemmWEHN0roW%2bjYENI3JNmD8XA%2bP hO9CMhOJHCPXJutKSpPbA%3d%3d

According to this map link--bourbon street is the 4th block in...so based on sat photo--it should be dry.

Royal Street is 3rd block in, so should be dry as well.

[totalia]

Oh thats neat. I think I can see the CBD. Looks intact but they had water there.

Actually. It looks like the FQ got water but it wasn't too bad. The cemetaries nearby seem pretty filled though. So Bourbon and Royal must be fairly intact. Maybe just a bit waterlogged.

Looks like all the hotels owned by my fiance's company are standing. Least, I think so. Rich said his boss told him that the windows were blown out but thats all.

I'll try CNN, maybe they will have pictures.

Oh hey, any idea if O'Flaherty's is ok? That one I can't find. But its my favorite pub in the entire city. We were going to get married in the Courtyard and then have the reception upstairs in one of the halls.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Can you google and find an address?--we can plug it in mapquest and compare it to the satellite photo.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

IF it is on Toulouse--and it's location on mapquest is correct...it is DRY
O'Flaherty's Irish Channel Centre & Pub
514 Toulouse St
New Orleans, LA 70130-2124

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&address=514+Toulouse+St&city=New+Orleans&state=LA&zipcode=70130-2124

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I should say--DRY as in not flooded..it is outside the flood zone.

[totalia]

CNN has a safe list that people can add their names to so that others know they are ok.

I think I will ask my fiance if he wants his, his aunts, grandmothers, and friends added to that list. It might relax some people.

[lbgraves]

I have read reports of the condition too but it is SO much better to see that it is all right now. :) They walked down Bourbon Street and also showed that pink building with the balcony...I can't recall the name for the life of me right now. :( Jackson Square is fine & so is everything surrounding it. I think that I saw the Court of the Three Sisters sign too. They showed some of the hidden courtyards too.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I would do that if I were him.

I'm sitting her just imagining--people you grew up with, people you go to school with, people you see on a regular basis---and you have NO idea where anybody is.

What hotel did he work for?

[lbgraves]

I should say--DRY as in not flooded..it is outside the flood zone.

LOL! They showed a bar that was open & serving customers. I can't remember what it was called though. They might show it again on MSNBC.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

LOL! They showed a bar that was open & serving customers. I can't remember what it was called though. They might show it again on MSNBC.


Not dry afterall :teeth: .

[totalia]

I would do that if I were him.

I'm sitting her just imagining--people you grew up with, people you go to school with, people you see on a regular basis---and you have NO idea where anybody is.

What hotel did he work for?

He works for Decatur Hotels. They own the Chateau Dupre, the Cotton Exchange, The French Market Inn, The Holiday Inn Express, Hotel LeCirque, the Lafeyette Hotel, Parc St. Charles, Pelham Hotel, the St. James Hotel, and newly added the Astor Crowne Plaza.

All are in and around the FQ itself. If anyone has any idea of how these hotels have done, it would be great to know so that I can tell my fiance. He's spent the last 3 years with them as a reservations manager for their central reservations. He would like to know but can't really find out anything. He managed to get ahold of his company but they didn't really say much. Only that some of the hotels had their windows blown out.

With the phones down, it makes it very hard and their web site says they will be closed down indefinately.

Thank you. I think he will be very relieved to hear all of this. I'm going to tell him the info soon as he calls tonight.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If he or you can mapquest the address--then you will at least know if they were exposed to the flood or not by comparing to the satellite photo. Closer to canal--gets a little hard to tell...you can see where the flood waters start on canal--but I have a hard time with all the buildings trying to figure out which if any near canal are flooded on the FQ side.

[lbgraves]

I the link you gave from the weather.gov site? I was able to find both houses I lived in on the West Bank as well as locate some landmarks in the French Quarter. The pictures are so clear...it is unbelievable!

[totalia]

I'm talking to him now. I have the addresses and I'm going to check.

He's having a really bad night.

[totalia]

IF it is on Toulouse--and it's location on mapquest is correct...it is DRY
O'Flaherty's Irish Channel Centre & Pub
514 Toulouse St
New Orleans, LA 70130-2124

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&address=514+Toulouse+St&city=New+Orleans&state=LA&zipcode=70130-2124
Yep thats the one. Oh thank you Lisa. I actually breathed a sigh of relief. I only hope they don't close.

My fiance is asking if I would be ok if he moved back to New Orleans. We are talking about it. I'm not against the idea. I love New Orleans. I just think that Canada is a better idea and that we should give them time to rebuild. Give them a year or so and the we can move back if he really wants to.

I also want to see what develops in the weather pattern before we do so. The storms have been getting progressively worse. I want to see if that trend continues.

[MoniqueU]

I heard on I think it was CNN that there was power on in part of the FQ too. So that is something.

[totalia]

Maybe the recovery will happen faster than we thought.

[DisneyDotty]

This is such good news. Thanks for sharing it! :flower:

[Planogirl]

I was so relieved to hear that the FQ is OK. The Garden District is supposed to be alright too but I don't think that anyone on the news has confirmed that.

I saw an interview with the owner of Brennan's. He and some staff stayed at the restaurant and he's pleased with how well it survived. I can't imagine them being forced to leave their restaurant!

[totalia]

My fiance says he's going to go back to see if anything is left. But he won't stay. The idea kind of makes him sick. I think going back may be good for him. He's going with his aunt. He's going to try to convince his roommate to go with him.

What he's afraid of is that they are only allowing people that have valid Jefferson Parrish ID's into the area so he can't take his dad with him. Yes, Rich lived in Jefferson Parrish. Better they have more people. Safety in numbers.

They are going to try this weekend I guess. I'm scared. What if the nuts are still out there and someone tries to rob them? Or shoot them? We won't be able to talk on the phone down there because he thinks the phones are still out. So I won't even know.

Oh I'm scared.

[LoraJ]

I think only the driver needs the valid ID. Or maybe one person in the car.

I was reading the nola.com Jefferson Parish boards yesterday and they said that the streets were very well patrolled with cops and millitary and there were no incidents.

My boyfriend's parents are returning today.

Are they surveying any area besides Jefferson?

Oh, and I think going this weekend may be too late. They are only allowing people in through Thursday and then they want everyone out for a month.

This site doesn't always work, but when it does, it has all of the info:
http://www.jeffparish.net

[totalia]

Ok, I'll tell him tonight. That way they can get their butts moving. Thanks for that. He may not have heard.

[LoraJ]

It's kind of confusing but, here is some info:

- 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.


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.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I the link you gave from the weather.gov site? I was able to find both houses I lived in on the West Bank as well as locate some landmarks in the French Quarter. The pictures are so clear...it is unbelievable!

What link?--the photos that I used...I can only tell generally for the neighborhood---but not a close up of the house.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I was so relieved to hear that the FQ is OK. The Garden District is supposed to be alright too but I don't think that anyone on the news has confirmed that.

I saw an interview with the owner of Brennan's. He and some staff stayed at the restaurant and he's pleased with how well it survived. I can't imagine them being forced to leave their restaurant!


Well if they've got power in parts it is a start....

And with businesses such as this operating--workers would have a place to go to eat that doesn't involve a canned food item :teeth: .

And the area can slowly get back on its feet.

[DisneyDmbNut]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/la-090205satimage-fl,0,3168994.flash?coll=sfla-home-headlines

The link above says the French Quarter was not flooded

[Rajah]

That's so good to hear! After the people and pets, the history was my biggest concern.

[lbgraves]

www.weather.gov has images that you can zoom in on to identify homes. It is amazing. Click on "...Aerial Maps Of Regions/New Orleans/Neighborhood Ravaged By Hurricane Katrina..." at the top of the page. Scroll down the bottom of that page and click on NOAA Aerial Images of USA Gulf Coast Impacted by Hurricane Katrina. This is the direct link. http://ngs.woc.noaa.gov/katrina/KATRINA0000.HTM

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Thanks lisa--lots of work to get around that sight--but I think we found our old house--many homes look just fine...but I did see one that was pretty much crushed.

[totalia]

If Jefferson Parish is on lockdown, does that apply to anywhere else in New Orleans too or just Jefferson?

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Totalia--this is the closure/open information listed on WWL this evening (www.wwltv.com)

Road closure and traffic updates - updated Sept. 6th

08:26 AM CDT on Tuesday, September 6, 2005


Jill Hezeau / WWL-TV Traffic Reporter


St Charles: Only St. Charles parish residents can return to their homes. There is no power, low fuel and no food. If you must return home, please bring supplies with you. Hwy 90, I-10, Hwy 3127 I-310 and Airline are all open.


Terrebonne: No road closures. Use Hwy 90 or the Sunshine Bridge.


Lafourche : Go directly to your homes. Hwy 1 is closed between Golden Meadow and Grande Isle. Lafourche parish has set up a checkpoint at Leon Theriot Floodgates. Authorities emergency traffic only, will be able to travel south from this point. Grande Isle police will escort residents to the island.


St. James: Open to residents only.


St. John: Open to residents only. You need your ID. US 51 is closed at I-10 due to high water. If you are already back in town, please stay off of Airline Hwy because many residents are returning to Jefferson Parish.


Jefferson: Residents please bring your ID. From Baton Rouge: You can take I-10 and at Gramercy and will be diverted to Airline Hwy to enter Kenner. I-55 southbound between Ponchatoula to Laplace is closed because of a checkpoint. Airline Hwy is open, but I-10 is restricted to emergency vehicles. The Huey P. Long Bridge, Jefferson Hwy and River Ridge are all open. Belle Chase Tunnel closed. Westbank Expy (upper and lower level) is closed from Avondale to Manhattan due to flooding. Airline at Kenner is closed due to flooding. State Police say the Causeway received some damage in the hurricane and is only open to emergency vehicles.


Orleans: All roads into the city are closed. The Highrise is not safe to cross. Hwy 90 at Chef Menteur Hwy is closed. The Crescent City Connection is closed.


Plaquemines: All roads into the Plaquemines are closed. All roads into New Orleans closed.


St. Bernard: All roads closed into St. Bernard are closed.


St. Tammany: State police say all interstate and major highways are open except I-10 into New Orleans, I-10 and the Twinspans and the Causeway. Residents please bring your ID. Routes to St Tammnay: I-59 southbound to I-12. I-12 is open.


Washington: State police say all interstate and major highways are open.


Tangiphoa: State police say all interstate and major highways are open except I-55 southbound to Laplace.


Other road information:

Hwy 90 between Lafayette and St Charles Parish line/Lafourche parish line is open.

Hwy 308 at the Valentine Bridge closed.

Hwy 3185 (Thibodeaux Bypass) is closed.

Bourg Larose Hwy is closed.

Hwy 11 Bridge is closed.


For more information go to state police's website: www.lsp.org

[totalia]

Thank you so much. I will tell him when he calls. We were already talking but his roommate called and this is the first time he's talked to him since before the hurricane hit.

[Deb in IA]

It's all a matter of topography.

Those areas that are above sea level escaped the flooding, including the French Quarter.


Here is an interactive graphic from Time Magazine online. Drag your mouse around on the map to explore different areas.

http://www.time.com/time/covers/20050912/new_orleans_map/index.html