10.3.21 Update

 Hurricane Ida Recovery Update

Sunday, October 3, 2021

DSNAP:

DSNAP Registration opens tomorrow, Monday, October 4, for St. John residents with last names beginning with A-F.

Residents should call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center at 1-888-524-3578 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Applicants must select the following options during the call:

1st Option - Select Language

2nd Option - Press 6

3rd Option - Press 1

When residents call to apply and be interviewed for DSNAP, a worker will:

-Verify the applicant’s identity and residency.

-Obtain information about income, resources, and disaster-related expenses.

Most applicants will be told on the phone immediately after completing their application and interview whether they have been approved to receive DSNAP and, if so, the number of benefits they will receive.

Applicants will also receive a letter by mail, confirming the eligibility decision made on their application.

Covid-19 Testing/Vaccination & Tetanus Shots Available Tomorrow:

  • Monday, October 4, 2021, Noon to 5pm: Covid-19 Vaccination/Testing & Tetanus Shots at REGALA Park Gym – 200 REGALA Park Rd. in Reserve. No appointment needed and no cost.

Mobile Workforce/ Disaster Unemployment

  • The Mobile Workforce Center will be at REGALA Park, 194 REGALA Park Rd., in Reserve, tomorrow October 4th, 5th, & 11th from 9am-6pm helping residents apply for disaster unemployment assistance.
  • The application deadline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been extended through Nov. 2, 2021.
  • Click here to apply for DUA online: http://ow.ly/AfoZ50GePCV

Power:

  • Approximately 43 customers or 0.22 % currently without power in St. John.
  • Please report any power outages to 1-800-ENTERGY.

No changes from previous update:

FEMA:

  • Over 18,000 FEMA registrations to date in St. John.
  • FEMA Disaster recovery centers open daily including weekends from 9 am to 6 pm:

- Garyville Library Parking Lot – 111 Historic Front, Garyville

-  Edgard Library Parking Lot - 2979 Hwy 18, Edgard

  • You can apply or update your information online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) or through the FEMA mobile app.
  • If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

Garbage:

  • Metro partnered with Waste Pro to bring in additional trucks to service the Parish this weekend.

Blue Roof:

  • More than 400 blue roofs have been installed.
  • The deadline to apply for a blue roof was extended to October 15. Apply at Blueroof.us or call 888-766-3258.

Debris Removal:

  • To date, over 400,000 cubic yards of debris has been collected throughout the Parish.
  • The days immediately following Hurricane Ida were spent clearing trees and other debris from roadways.  Debris crews will continue to work until it is all collected.
  • Please be assured that if a resident is currently gutting their home, debris crews are making multiple passes and debris monitors continuously going through neighborhoods to determine where pockets of debris remain.

Crisis Cleanup Hotline

If you need assistance with damage from Hurricane Ida, call the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 844-965-1386 to ask for help. The hotline will connect residents with volunteers from organizations who may be able to assist with cutting fallen trees, drywall, flooring and appliance removal, tarping roofs, and mold mitigation. The hotline is open through October 8.

Disaster Distress Helpline

HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration activated its helpline. This toll-free, multilingual crisis support service is available 24/7 via phone or text at 800-985-5990.

Election Update

Due to Hurricane Ida, the October 9 election has been postponed to November 13.

Important Dates:

Wednesday, October 13 - Last Day to Register to Vote in person or by mail

Saturday, October 23 - Last Day to Register to Vote online at geauxvote.com

Tuesday, November 9 - Last Day to request an absentee by mail ballots

Saturday, October 30 & Monday, November 1 - Saturday, November 6 - Early Voting

Friday, November 12 - Last day for the registrar to receive voted absentee ballot

Saturday, November 13 - Election Day

Elderly Assistance for St. John residents

•          Call 985-536-4955 from 8am-4:30pm daily.

Businesses Recovery Center

  • Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Recovery Center is open in LaPlace
  • Mondays - Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
  • 390 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace
  • SBA’s Customer Service Center can be reached at 800-659-2955, email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800-877-8339.

St. John Residential Water Bills for September will not be issued

Parish President Hotard announced that all September water bills which include water, sewage, garbage, ambulance, and mosquito monthly fees will be waived for September due to Hurricane Ida operational damage.

Residential water customers will not receive a September water bill but may receive, or have already received, a bill prior to September. If you receive a water bill for prior dates, please be assured that your next water bill will be waived.

Although Parish offices are currently closed to the public, customers can contact Utility Billing at 985-652-0542 for assistance.

Customers needing to pay a water bill can do so online at sjbparish.gov, via phone at 985-652-0542, or by utilizing one of the drop boxes at the Government Complex in LaPlace, Garyville Service Center, or Edgard Courthouse. All online processing fees have been waived during this time.

Boil Water Advisories

  • All Boil Water Advisories in St. John Parish are lifted.

Temporary, Emergency Housing

  • Residents who will require temporary, emergency housing, whether a homeowner or renter, can call 985-359-0142 or 985-359-0270 or fill out this convenient form https://us.openforms.com/.../d7c1e95f-25c9-4939-aade... to be placed on the list for temporary, emergency housing.
  • The parish is continuing to compile a list of individuals who will require temporary, emergency housing to provide to FEMA. Final assessments will be conducted by FEMA.
  • The following information is needed: Address of the home you were living in during Hurricane Ida, a contact number to reach you, the number of people in your household.

Permits

  • Permits are only needed when structural repairs are made to the framing, roof, or electrical components of the house.
  • Structural repair permits that are required are required as part of St. John Parish’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, providing eligibility for flood insurance, and to enforce building codes that ensure the safety of its citizens.
  • Additionally, Parish President Hotard suspended all permit or trade filing fees until February of 2022. 

Safe Reconnect

  • If you sustained damage to your home or business electrical and/or gas systems and the utility was not able to reconnect service, please contact Planning & Zoning at Email safereconnect@stjohn-la.gov or call 985-651-5565.

Be Aware of Fraud

  • Please be aware of individuals posing as phony property inspectors or phony building contractors. Please be aware of scams that may try to steal money or your personal information through fraud by directing you to apply on their website.
  • Report scams, fraud, and identity theft to FEMA’s toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.

Curfew 

  • 10PM-5AM.