10.4.21 Update

 Hurricane Ida Recovery Update

Monday, October 4, 2021

St. John Parish DSNAP schedule for this week:

Monday, October 4- Residents with last names beginning with A-F

Tuesday, October 5 - G-M

Wednesday, October 6 - N-S

Thursday, October 7 - T-Z

Friday, October 8 - A-Z

Saturday, October 9 - A-Z

Application/interview info, Phase 3 schedules - http://www.dcfs.la.gov/dsnap

What Applicants Need to know: Due to ongoing concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, DSNAP applications will be handled by phone, and benefits cards will be mailed to approved applicants through the U.S. Postal Service.

Residents in the approved parishes can call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center, 1-888-524-3578, to apply and be interviewed for DSNAP. Applicants should call 1-888-524-3578, select their language, prompt 6 and then 1 between the hours of 7:30am to 6pm.

Translation services are available for individuals whose primary language is not English.

Residents are encouraged, but not required, to take the following steps before calling to apply for DSNAP:

- Pre-register online first. Step-by-step instructions can be found at www.dcfs.la.gov/DSNAP.

- Download the LA Wallet mobile app for identity and residency verification. Information on the app, including download links, can be found at LAWallet.com.

- Gather all information needed for the application. A list of what is needed can be found in the FAQs at www.dcfs.la.gov/page/dsnap-faqs.

Residents who pre-registered or applied for DSNAP since March 2020 do not need to pre-register again.

When residents call to apply and be interviewed for DSNAP, a worker will verify the applicant’s identity and residency, and obtain information about their income, resources and disaster-related expenses incurred between August 26, 2021, and September 24, 2021.

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.

Aerial Mosquito Spraying Scheduled

  • St. John Officials have scheduled an aerial mosquito spray operation this week to increase mosquito efforts resulting from the flooding caused by Hurricane Ida.
  • The aerial applications may begin at approximately 7:00pm and continue until about 1:00 am, weather permitting. The aerial application may occur Tuesday, October 5th through Sunday, October 10th weather permitting. If a delay occurs, it will be finished on a subsequent day that is favorable for treatment.
  • Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) and its subsidiary company Mosquito Control Services (MCS) will be conducting the aerial spray operation using multiple twin-engine aircraft flying at an altitude of approximately 300 feet.
  • For additional information, contact VDCI at 800-413-4445.

Debris Removal:

  • To date, more than 460,000 cubic yards of debris has been collected in St. John.
  • 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 debris remains.

Garbage:

  • Metro partnered with Waste Pro to bring in additional trucks to service the Parish during the weekend and are also working to return to regularly scheduled routes.

Power:

  • Approximately 40 customers or 0.21 % currently without power in St. John.
  • Please report any power outages to 1-800-ENTERGY.

FEMA:

  • To date, over 18,113 FEMA registrations in St. John.
  • FEMA Disaster recovery centers open daily including weekends from 9 am to 6 pm at Garyville Library Parking Lot – 111 Historic Front, Garyville and 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.

Blue Roof:

  • To date, 549 blue roofs have been installed in St. John.
  • The deadline to apply for a blue roof is October 15 at Blueroof.us or call 888-766-3258.

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

Businesses Recovery Center

  • Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Recovery Center is open in LaPlace on Mondays - Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
  • Located at River Region Chamber of Commerce - 390 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace
  • SBA’s Customer Service Center can be reached at 800-659-2955

No changes from previous update:

Elderly Assistance for St. John residents

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

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

  • Permit fees for repairs and renovations due to hurricane damage have been waived until February 28, 2022.
  • Building permits are not needed for the following types of work:

    Shingles, Sheetrock, Cabinetry, Flooring, Fencing, Doors, Siding, Trim and Painting.

  • Permits are only needed when structural repairs are made to the framing, roof, or electrical components of the house.
  • If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please contact the Planning and Zoning Department at 985-651-5565.

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.

    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

 

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.