Returning to New Orleans
Citizens should bring their hurricane preparation kits when they re-enter the city. These kits should include food, water and other supplies. Due to a shortage of electricity throughout the city, stores and shelters are slow to re-open to assist citizens. When returning you should bring:
- Water for an extended period of time
- Non-perishable food items such as peanut butter and tuna
- Flashlight with batteries
- Can opener
- Several changes of clothes
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2008, New Orleans will reopen to all of its citizens. Mayor Nagin is not encouraging citizens who are elderly, have medical conditions or with children who have medical conditions to return at this time.
Citizens are reminded that much of the city remains without lights. As of Wednesday, 67,000 Entergy custmers in Orleans Parish had no electricity. In addition, the sewage plants are on generator power.
All drainage pumping stations are operating as normal and the water is safe to drink.