Regular Garbage Pick-Up In New Orleans begins November 7

Starting Monday, November 7, regular garbage pick-up in New Orleans will begin city wide. The Army Corps of Engineers will publish maps of pick-up dates this weekend in the Times-Picayune.

The Corps has been picking up garbage along with other storm debris at homeowners request by calling 1-800-849-1355, however, as more people are coming back in the city this has become less efficient. That number should still be used for large debris pick up such as refrigerators, tree limbs ect.

FEMA Trailer Registration Set In Kenner

Residents who want to sign up for a FEMA trailer should go to the Kenner
Pavilion Wednesday, Nov. 2, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

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Levee Repair Update

Today, I received the following information on the 17th Street Canal from the Army Corps of Engineers. I will be meeting with Col. Wagenaar in the next week to discuss the 17th Street Canal.

Boh Bros Construction has been awarded a contract for Phase I interim repairs to install a steel sheet pile closure to a depth of -51 feet and to project elevation heights. Mobilization will begin next week with a target completion date of 19 Dec. Until that time, the current rock dike repair at elevation of + 4 feet will remain in place. The steel sheet pile dam at the head of the canal will be utilized to close the canal as conditions require.

Phase II repairs will consist of an inverted pile founded T-wall - also to project elevation heights. This permanent repair will be completed by 1 June.

Gregory E. Breerwood
Deputy District Engineer
for Project Management
New Orleans District

FEMA Flood Maps

 

Many people have called and e-mailed regarding FEMA flood maps.  Here are some links that should be helpful to you.

 

http://www.fema.gov/pdf/nfip/manual2005_10/mainedition/16map.pdf   is an online booklet that explains flood maps but also gives information on how and where to order or print out flood maps.

http://www.hazardmaps.gov/atlas.php is a place where you can put in your address and view the map.

http://www.fema.gov/fhm/ot_firmr.shtm   is a link to a site where you can download instructions on how to read the maps.

Cabildo Open House, Halloween Weekend

Cabildo set to reopen Saturday, October 29th, 2005

“The Birthplace of Louisiana” reopens with an open house and outdoor concert featuring Rebirth Brass Band.
The Louisiana State Museum will reopen it’s flagship property “The Cabildo” with an open house from 10am-8pm.
The outdoor concert featuring The Rebirth Brass Band will be from 6-8pm

The Cabildo is located at 701 Chartres at Jackson Square.

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Update on Clearview Exit Ramp Closure

The work at the Clearview Exit Ramp from I-10 East as advanced to a
point where the ramp will not be closed on Thursday. The shoulder will
still be closed near the ramp, however the ramp will be open to traffic
all day Thursday. Work will be completed tomorrow.
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RTA Is Up and Running - For Free!

RTA UPDATE

The RTA continues to operate on the following 13 routes, reemploying 78 operators, and using 28 buses:

# 5 - Marigny - Bywater (French quarter, Marigny & Bywater)
# 10 - Tchoupitoulas (CBD - Uptown)
# 11 - Magazine (CBD - Uptown)
# 12 - St. Charles (CBD - Uptown - Carrollton)
# 14 - Jackson (Limited: Central City - Garden District -Wal-Mart)
# 27 Louisiana (Uptown - Central City)
# 32 Leonidas (Uptown - Hollygrove)
# 101 Algiers Loop - (Algiers)
# 102 - General Meyer (Algiers)
# 103 - Pace Boulevard#106 - Aurora Express
# 108 - Algiers Local (Connects to JET West bank terminal)
# 114-115 - General DeGaulle (Algiers - CBD)The service, runs about every thirty minutes or less, and allows New Orleans area residents access to the open neighborhoods and to both sides of the river.
Currently, the hours of operations are from 8am - 6pm, 7 days a week. The service will be adjusted as conditions permit. All buses are accessible to the disabled and there will be no fare (FREE) as FEMA through the FTA is funding this emergency service.

Check www.norta.com for schedule information.

STREETCARS: RTA continues to work towards the use of a number of the undamaged St. Charles Streetcars on the Riverfront Streetcar line as it appears undamaged. Entergy recently energized the line's rectifier, which will allow for a full safety and electrical inspection of the line to be conducted soon. The FTA, LA DOTD, & SHPO offices have been notified of our intent and are cooperating. Considering the extraordinary situation, the RTA expects that those agencies will continue to be cooperative in clearing any ADA, safety, or historic issues involved.

CONNECTIVITY: Jefferson Transit's (JET) W-2 Westbank Expressway and the W-3 Lapalco lines are now running into the New Orleans CBD daily. They join the RTA #108 Algiers Local from the Wilty Terminal by crossing the Crescent City Connection into the CBD. Already running is JET's Kenner Local bus from Jefferson Highway to Claiborne @ Carrollton and its Airport bus to Tulane @ Carrollton which provides two transfer points to/from Jefferson Parish via the RTA's St. Charles and Louisiana bus lines, respectively.Ø

City Council Job Fair 10/26

The New Orleans City Council is holding its annual Job Fair in conjunction with the administration on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Audubon Montessori School 428 Broadway.

Tax Assessment Changes Announced

Assessor Henry Heaton (7th Municipal District; Ward 16) and Claude Mauberret (2nd Municipal District; Wards 4, 5, 6) have announced that the Louisiana State Tax Commission is allowing the assessors to reassess properties for the upcoming January Tax Bills (2006). According to the assessors, structures are included but only the shell. Property owners would not be able to receive Homestead Exemptions if only the land was assessed.

Answers and Updates to Your Frequently Asked Questions

It is all speculation right now and until we receive more information from the Senate, Congress and Corps of Engineers we have no information whether land near the 17th Street Canal and the London Avenue Canal will need to be appropriated or not. I have met and continue to meet with Senator Vitter, Congressman Jindal, the Army Corps of Engineers and others to urge them on the need for direction on what the future may hold. I can assure you that as soon as I know what the plans are I will communicate that with you.

Have there been any changes to the building codes?
There have been no changes to building codes and height requirements from pre-Katrina.

Can we rebuild/renovate?
Yes, absolutely. Safety and Permits is issuing building permits. They are located on the 7th floor of City Hall.

Will my home be torn down by the city or FEMA?
No, each individual property owner has the responsibility of assessing his property and determining whether they want to tear it down or renovated it.

Are there new building codes that I will have to follow?
No, the building codes have not changed.

If I rebuild/renovate will I be required to raise my home to the flood elevation so that I may be insured?
According to FEMA regulations, any residential structure that requires substantial improvement meaning any repair, reconstruction or improvement in which the cost exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred or any new construction must adhere to the base flood elevations of the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) for Orleans Parish. In other words, the lowest flood (including basement) must be elevated to or above the base flood elevation. The base flood elevation requirements are based on the 100-year flood which means the highest level of flooding that on average is likely to occur once every 100 years or that has a 1% chance of occurring each year. A certificate of elevation for the property is required for building permits. If a property owner does not have a certificate of elevation a state licensed civil engineer or land surveyor can prepare one. The certificate of elevation certifies that requirements have been complied with and holds the city harmless from any errors in the elevation certificate.

Is there any financial assistance for homeowners who own homes that are below the flood elevation standards?
Yes, FEMA offers Increased Cost of Compliance Coverage. Some homes that were built prior to 1984 were not required to be built to flood elevation standards and therefore may not have been elevated to reduce the impact of flooding. FEMA’s Increased Cost of Compliance offers flood insurance policyholders up to $30,000 to help pay the costs to bring their home or business into compliance with their community's floodplain requirements. You can find more information on this at http://www.fema.gov/nfip/icc.shtm.

New Orleans Court numbers

Here is a list of temporary telephone numbers that have been set up for Orleans Parish Court.

Orleans Parish Clerk of District Court, 225-647-9200, 225-647-9296 (fax)
Judge Carolyn Gill-Jefferson (Div-A), 225-647-9748
Judge Rose Ledet (B), 225-647-9748
Judge Sidney H. Cates IV (Div-C),225-647-9748
Judge Lloyd J. Medley Jr. (Div-D), 225-647-9746
Judge Madeleine M. Landrieu (Div-E), 225-647-9746
Judge Yada T. Magee (Div-F), 225-647-9746
Judge Robin M. Giarrusso (Div-G), 225-647-9746
Judge Michael G. Bagneris (Div-H), 225-647-9746
Judge Piper Griffin (Div-I), 225-647-9743
Judge Nadine Ramsey (Div-J), 225-647-9746
Judge Hebert Cade (Div-K), 225-647-9743
Judge Kern Reese (Div-L), 225-647-9743
Judge Paulette Irons (Div-M), 225-647-9743
Chief Judge Ethel Simms Julien (Div-N), 225-647-9749
First City Court, 225-647-9778
Judge Charles Imbornone (Sec-A)
Judge Angelique Reed (Sec-B)
Judge Sonja Spears (Sec-C)
First City Court Evictions, 225-647-9769
Orleans Civil Sheriff, 225-647-9787
Recorder of Mortgages, 504-670-7040
Registrar of Conveyances, 504-670-7022
Office of Notarial Archives, 504-670-7000

Mold Removal

Here is a helpful article by EPA on “Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings”. http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html

Call 1-800-849-1355 for Debris Removal

If you have debris such as fallen city trees or debris blocking the front of home/business please call 1-800-849-1355 for removal.

Rebuilding Updates

This site is designed to provide you with everything you need to know about returning to New Orleans.