Improvements to infrastructure, including pumping station safe houses, armored levees, and upgrades at the trouble-prone Harvey Canal have Jefferson Parish officials optimistic they'll be able to handle whatever occurs during the 2008 Hurricane Season.
"We will be prepared for the worst, but hope for the best," said Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard.
Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard on the 2008 Hurricane Season:
Broussard says he believes the Parish is as best prepared as it ever has been coming into a hurricane season.
"In telecommunications, in technology, in infrastructure, we're the best we've ever been," said Broussard.
Among the new features of preparation in 2008, Parish Emergency Managers are recruiting up to 300 citizens to be part of an "Emergency Action Team" and augment first responders before and after a potential storm.
"If you have medical training, if you're a doctor or nurse or EMT, or if you just want to help people with evacuations, we're going to ask you both pre-storm and post storm to help your fellow man," said Parish Emergency Manager Deano Bonano.
Jefferson Parish Emergency Manager Deano Bonano on the 2008 Hurricane Season:
Bonano says depending on one's level of training, it's possible certain citizens may be asked to stay behind during a hurricane. Interested citizens can sign up at Parish offices.
Meanwhile, Broussard says pumping station staffers will be better equipped to stay behind during a major storm, with ten new armored safe houses complete at pumping stations, and more to be completed soon.
"Five new safe houses are going to be built on the Westbank in the next 30-45 days," said Broussard.
Broussard also says the Parish's levee system has been improved since the 2005 Hurricane Season.
"They have been better armored and better insulated and protected," said Broussard.
Emergency managers again point to the Harvey Canal as their biggest area of concern on the Westbank, but say improvements are also in place there. An intermediate levee has been raised to eight feet, and a new floodgate is in place at Lapalco Boulevard.
Crews are also working to complete a floodwall at the canal stretching from Lapalco to the Plaquemines Parish line.
"It won't be complete for this hurricane season," said Bonano. "Once it is completed, we'll have a much greater level of protection at the Harvey Canal then we ever had before."
Bonano says the biggest area of concern on the Eastbank is potential flooding in Old Metairie at the 17th Street Canal. He says a temporary levee is in place at Airline Drive where it meets the Orleans Parish Line, and will be constructed if a Category 3 or stronger storm threatens.
