St. John Continues to Recover, Prepares for Rebuilding in wake of Tornado

March 4, 2016

WASHINGTON, DC – (RealEstateRama) — St. John the Baptist Parish – St. John the Baptist Parish President Robottom, Council and officials want to thank the Faith-Based Community, local groups and organizations, and all who donated their time, efforts and resources to the restoration of the Parish following last week’s tornado. Countless meals and non-perishables have been administered to tornado victims and additional provisions will be given to affected residents in the upcoming days.

The St. John Long-Term Recovery Group, formed during Hurricane Isaac, which includes members from the community, Government, St. John United Way, nonprofit and church organizations, businesses and volunteers reactivated Monday. Due to the overwhelming response of donations received, we will not accept any more SUPPLY donations at the St. John Community Center after tomorrow, Thursday, March 3, at noon, as we reshift efforts to rebuilding and allocating construction materials to a new to-be-determined location through the Long-Term Recovery Group. Once information is received on a new location for donated materials, it will be released. Residents can still make monetary donations to St. John Parish tornado victims through the St. United Way fund “SJUWTORNADO.”

Hope Reigns, a volunteer group associated with 8 Days of Hope will continue volunteering with cleanup through Saturday. Residents in need of assistance are asked to contact the volunteer hotline through Saturday at 1.256.503.1024. Information on St. John the Baptist Parish recovery including a new hotline for assistance will continue to be released through St. John Parish Communications Department and additional information can also be found online at sjbparish.com.

RECOVERY

585 properties have recorded damage – commercial and residential
5,202 cubic yards of vegetative debris and 739 yards of construction & demolition debris were collected in past week

POWER

Per Entergy, power is 100% fully restored to all customers who could receive power
Entergy personnel continue to reconnect customers as electrical repairs are being made at their homes or facilities. For homes that will be demolished, customers should contact Entergy at 1-800Entergy to have Entergy equipment removed (e.g. meters, transformers, etc.)

DEBRIS REMOVAL REMINDERS:

Debris is getting picked up throughout the Parish. To make easier for pickup, residents are encouraged to separate debris into piles:

Debris must be separated into vegetative (organic, trees, shrubs, stumps, etc), construction & demolition (any treated wood or lumber drywall, roofing materials), white goods (refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers), and household hazardous waste & e-waste (computers, televisions, etc).Do not place debris fence, cars, mail boxes, utility boxes, utility poles, water meters or fire hydrants.

GARBAGE:

Progressive Waste is running normal routes with a slight delay. Residents who need replacement cans should call Progressive at 536-3046.

CONTRACTOR FRAUD:

St. John homeowners are reminded to protect themselves from contractor fraud as they rebuild.
Remember, it is important to obtain more than one estimate for repairs and to check on the qualifications and credentials of anyone working on your home.
If you feel that you have been the victim of contractor fraud, please contact the St. John District Attorney’s Office at (985) 652-9757 immediately

SNAP:

SNAP households that were without power for more than 24 hours and lost food as a result, should visit their local DCFS Economic Stability office located at 429 W. Airline Hwy in LaPlace to complete an affidavit. The last day to complete this form is March 4, 2016. Contact phone # is 985-651-2984.

WATER SERVICE:

Residents affected by tornado damage who would like their water service disconnected either temporarily or permanently at no charge can do so by calling 985-652-3131.

VOLUNTEERS:

Volunteer efforts at this time are being coordinated through REGALA Gymnasium by a familiar group, 8 Days of Hope, who came to our Parish after Hurricane ISAAC to assist with rebuilding efforts. Hope Reigns is a division of 8 Days of Hope specializing in Rapid Response after a disaster and will be throughout the Parish for the next week volunteering.

HOTLINE FOR RESIDENTS WHO NEED ASSISTANCE FOLLOWING TORNADO:

Phone – 1.256.503.1024 or register online at "> through Saturday, March 6, 2016.

MEALS:
Thursday & Friday, March 3 & 4

St. John Community Action , 128 Central Ave, Reserve
Thurs – 10 am – 4:30 p.m.

Friday- 9 am – 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 5, 2016

LaPlace Urgent Care Parking Lot – 12:00 noon
Acuri Center, Cambridge Dr., LaPlace – 12:00 noon
Living Way Church, Walnut St., LaPlace – 5 p.m.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

11 am
Corner of Palmetto and Indigo Parkway

Marching Pride of Riverside along with Raising Canes and New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood will distribute hot meals

Red Cross and other agencies/groups will also be mobile feeding in damaged areas.

DONATIONS
SUPPLIES DROP OFF CENTER (RELOCATING AFTER THURSDAY, MARCH 3, AT NOON)

St. John Community Center , 2900 Hwy 51, LaPlace

SCHOOL SUPPLIES:

Blessed to be a Blessing International Ministries, Inc.

2015 W. Airline Hwy, Laplace, LA 70068

Donations may be dropped off between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday. (985)359-995

CLOTHING DROP OFF CENTER: (NOT ACCEPTING AFTER SATURDAY, MARCH 5 DUE TO DISTRIBUTION)

Evangelist Donna M. Perrilloux

130 W. 7th Street, Reserve LA 70084

(985) 210-4176

MONETARY DONATIONS:

Monetary donations accepted through St. John United Way stjohnunitedway.org.” “sjuw-tornadorelief”

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

7-8 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , 15 Palmetto Dr., LaPlace
Walkthrough/Giveaway for tornado victims
Household items, clothing, school supplies, and other goods can be donated and dropped off at the church building on Wednesday March 2nd from 6-8 p.m., and on Sunday March 6th from 12-1 p.m.

BUSINESS RESOURCES:
Business Response Survey

If your business sustained either a Physical or Economic Loss due to the tornado that occurred on Tuesday, February 23, we are requesting that you complete the Emergency Response Survey. You may complete the survey online at http://sjbparish.com/tornado.php

The Business Emergency Resource Center (BEOC)

The St. John the Baptist Parish Business Resource Center will provide a “one-stop shop” for impacted businesses, employees, and homeowners to receive in-person recovery assistance. A dedicated team of resource providers including, Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC), South Central Planning and Development Commission (SCPDC), US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Louisiana Workforce Commission, and Louisiana Federal Credit Union will assist in obtaining business continuity planning, business loans, unemployment insurance, home retention services, and personal emergency loans. All services will be free of charge.
- When: Monday, February 29 – March 4, 2016
- 9:00 am – 5 pm
- Where: River Region Chamber of Commerce, 390 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace, LA 70068, 985-359-9777

INFORMATION SOURCES:

WWL 870 AM or 105.3 FM, ONLINE: www.sjbparish.com, Facebook: St John Parish Government; Twitter: @SJBPgov