Monday voluntary open

Hi all. I am posting this from the Recovery Center. Power and internet has been restored. If any staff wish to come in one Monday to work we will open the center at 9 am. The center looks good and we received kudos from Tulane on our storm prep.

Disaster Assistance

All employees should look at the options FEMA is providing for disaster assistance. Links and phone numbers for disaster and unemployment assistance:

Individual disaster assistance: disasterassistance.gov or 1-800-621-FEMA

Louisiana Workforce Commission: www.laworks.net or 1-866-783-5567 (This is a federal program administered by LWC, you will need to file for FEMA's individual disaster assistance)

No Food Stamp program currently is in place for Isaac victims.  However, low to moderate income residents may apply now in case a program becomes available.  (www.dss.state.la.us/ or 1-888-524-3578).

Friday midday

The Recovery Center still has no power.  I went by to check and opened the side door far enough to see a large puddle of water on the floor.   Obviously water came in under the door or walls.  I only have cell service if I drive uptown so I am pretty much using my gas to drive then sit with car and AC running while I quickly work on a few things.  All my access is failing and I am in withdrawals.

Friday morning

The sound of chain saws and heavy equipment reverberated through this beautiful morning.  Sunshine instead of rain has finally arrived.  The first steps to normalcy is watching some businesses reopen and people moving about.  There are a lot of sightseers out driving around and my downed tree may be one of the most photographed spots in NOLA.

Closed Friday

The Recovery Center will be closed Friday due the fact the building remains without power.  We will reopen Tuesday.

Recovery Center Closed on Thursday

Tulane University will be closed on Thursday and classes will resume on Tuesday. They are allowing staff back on Friday. Recovery Center staff are asked to report on Friday at 8:00 am. Please either notify me or call the Rockville office if you are unable to report.

Wednesday afternoon

I am currently located in Slidell, LA and am having intermittent access and power. Slidell is located on the north side of Lake Ponchatrain and has been getting hit all day by winds and rain. Gusts have been very strong at times. A tree fell blocking the road but EMS was quick on getting it cleared. There are widespread power outages and many road closures. I personally know that a tree has fallen at my apartment taking down the fence and driveway gates. At this stage we are awaiting an update from Tulane at 5:00 pm but likely the University and all facilities will be closed on Thursday. This is a very very slow moving storm going in at an angle. The angle is keeping the metro area in storm conditions for an extended period of time. I believe the Recovery Center has power at this stage. We will inform staff as soon as possible on re-opening.

Tulane University update

The latest update to Tulane University's website indicates the uptown campus is without power.  Classes have been cancelled through Saturday.  Currently, weather permitting, Tulane staff are expected to report to work on Friday.  Stay tuned for the status of the Recovery Center re-opening.

Stay safe everyone as the rains and wind continue!

Tuesday Morning..Isaac

Isaac has still not made official hurricane status but the pressure is dropping.  Winds should increase soon.  It is a pleasant morning with a light wind and we say a drizzle of rain.  The hatches are secure and hopefully everyone is ready to hunker down or has left the city.  Tulane is closed today and tomorrow.  We anticipate resuming normal operations on Thursday.

Monday Afternoon update

The Recovery Center is completing final tasks. The fridges are empty and unplugged, computers are covered. We have no windows really so that is an easy thing to have to deal with :) The city is getting a little crazy. The traffic going out of the city is building as people evacuate. The city has not called for a mandatory evacuation yet but many are choosing to leave. The center will be closing at 2:30 today to allow our staff to make their necessary personal preparations. Please stay safe everyone. I will update this blog whenever possible.

Monday Morning update.

It has already been announced that Tulane will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday. We are in full scale hurricane prep at the Recovery Center today. The center will be prepared in case there is a loss of power and all equipment will be covered prior to our leaving today. The entire city is in a weird place right now. Gas stations have long lines, grocery store shelves are empty and there is a weird eerie calm outside.

Testing to make sure my access works as I am the back-up in case of emergency.  Be safe everyone!

Hurricane Isaac

Tulane University has announced that they will be open Monday. All Recovery Center staff should plan to report as usual to begin Hurricane preparations. At this stage there has been no announced evacuation in New Orleans. We are monitoring the situation closely. The irony is that the storm is projected to make landfall on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's strike taking an almost identical path.

Tropical Storm Debby

Tropical Storm Debby has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. Coastal Louisiana is now under a tropical storm warning. It still is anybody's storm and we are monitoring the situation closely. As always The Recovery Center will follow Tulane's lead on any storm related emergencies. Current information from the National Hurricane Center on Debby

Hurricane Season 2012

This is simply a test post to mark the beginning of Hurricane Season 2012. It is a day that we review all procedures to ensure that should we need them to be used they all function. Sort of like a test of the Emergency Broadcast System. We always hope that are plans are never put into action but having them is crucial to being able to deal with a threat in the best way possible. Let's hope that the Hurricane Hunters are bored this season.