[StBernard] Article

[Westley Annis]

Parts of St. Bernard Parish might open for inspection soon: Wednesday, 
5:24 p.m.

By Manuel Torres
St. Bernard Bureau

In another sign that their recovery is gaining traction, St. Bernard 
Parish officials on Wednesday announced that they might allow the first 
parish residents to return to the stricken area as early as Saturday.

Parish President Henry “Junior’’ Rodriguez said officials might unveil a 
re-entry plan by Friday. He said the first area to reopen will be in 
south Arabi, where residents will be allowed to return for a few hours 
to view what’s left of their homes.

“We want people to come back to assess damage as soon as possible,’’ 
Rodriguez said.

The parish government also said business owners can come into the parish 
now to assess damage to their stores and businesses, but must first 
receive a government permit.

Wednesday’s announcements marked a day of visible progress as crews 
continue cleaning streets and business owners began streaming into the 
parish just over two weeks at Hurricane Katrina ravaged most of the area.

The positive signs included an announcement that all parish streets 
should be clear of water and debris by the weekend and that toxicology 
testing had uncovered no signs of infectious diseases in the water still 
draining from a few areas. But keeping their perspective in check, 
officials say they still believe that structures in 70-80 percent of the 
parish may have to be razed.

Katrina’s waters, which two weeks ago reached 20 feet in some areas, 
have practically drained from the parish. But a thick layer of muck 
still makes many streets impassable. Officials, however, says a company 
hired for the cleanup expects to have the streets clear soon, allowing 
the first returnees to come back.

The first section to open will be Arabi, extending from Jackson Barracks 
to Chalmette Refining and from St. Bernard Highway to the Mississippi 
River levee.

But officials asked residents to wait for details before making plans to 
return. Those returning to assess the damage should come with gloves and 
boots and not bring children.

“Please be patient. We don’t anybody to get sick’’ said state Sen. 
Walter Boasso, R-Chalmette.

In the meantime, officials are allowing business owners to come back to 
the parish and assess their damage. Business owners can do that now, but 
those returning must have identification and obtain a pass. They can 
register for pass at the parish website, 
www.stbernardparishgovernment.com. Officials say they will post details 
of the general entry plan on the website.

Also Wednesday, the head of a FEMA medical team working in the parish 
said that toxicology tests throughout the parish found no traces of 
infectious diseases. Don Decker, however, said that people working in 
the parish and planning to return should get shots for tetanus and 
hepatitis.

Officials will make the vaccines available for resident in St. Bernard 
at their makeshift command center at Chalmette Refining.

In another positive sign, Boasso said the St. Bernard Port could reopen 
in as soon as two weeks. He also said a cruise ship is expected to dock 
at the port later this week and will serve as the new command center for 
rebuilding efforts.