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PARISH PLANNING BASELINE |
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Plaquemines Parish--Disaster Impact and Needs Assessment Section
Every aspect of life in Plaquemines Parish was fundamentally altered by the devastating impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The damage, its impact and the needs that have been created are summarized in this section.
Economic and Workforce Development
- Just 218 out of 744 businesses have reopened
- There were 294 unemployment claims as of December 3, 2005, an increase of more than 16% since before Hurricane Rita
- The November 2005 unemployment rate was 7.4%
- Parish officials estimate that 80% of the Plaquemines Parish citrus orchards were destroyed as a result of the hurricanes
- Citrus represents a $7-8 million industry in the parish, yielding income of approximately $5-7,000 per acre
- Recovery (fruit production) will be at least 5 years from time of planting
- 11 of the 13 ice houses used by the commercial seafood industry are not in operation, severely impacting that industry’s ability to operate.
- In 2003, the fishing industry was worth approximately $59 million
- Most of the marinas and docks within the parish were significantly damaged or destroyed
- Only 20% (153) of 763 commercial fishing vessels are operable, severely impacting the commercial fishing industry.
Environmental Management
- Significant destruction of wildlife habitat resulted from the storms
- Estimated 8 million barrels of oil spilled from various sources
Flood Protection and Coastal Restoration
- An estimated 39 square miles of wetlands were transformed into shallow open water in the upper and central portions of Breton Sound by the hurricanes
- 57.2 square miles of wetlands lost throughout the parish (water area changes/change in open water area)
- This is almost three times the amount lost in other southeastern parishes
Education
- Six of the nine parish public schools sustained significant damage
- Phoenix High School was the only public school on the east bank and serviced Headstart - 12th grade students.
- Pre-Katrina the public school enrollment was 4,975; current public school enrollment is 2,973
Public Health and Healthcare
- Plaquemines Medical Center in Port Sulphur sustained significant damage to the facility, losing all medical and office equipment, and all patient information. This is the only medical center within the parish and medical service delivery has been severely hampered.
- The interior of the facility was flooded at a depth of more than 7 ½ ft
Public Safety
- There has been a 19% increase in motor vehicle crashes which is attributed to the increased traffic flow experienced between Belle Chasse (in the northernmost part of the parish) and Venice (the southernmost part of the parish).
- There has been a 68% increase in traffic citations issued
Transportation and Infrastructure
- Plaquemines Parish sustained significant damage to its gas, electric, water and wastewater systems.
- 50% of the roadway network was submerged for a period of time. Extent of unseen damage unknown.
- Approximately $2 Million in visible damage to LA 23; debris removal, pavement restoration, signage and guide rail replacement.
- Approximately $2.8 Million in visible damage to LA 39; debris removal, pavement restoration, signage and guide rail replacement.
- LA 23 Belle Chasse Tunnel flooded and filled with debris
- It is estimated that damage to the State Navigation System will cost $5 Million to repair
- The Parish-owned ferry system at Point A La Hache was rendered inoperable
- The Parish public transportation vehicles (school buses) sustained an estimated $250,000 in damages
- Doullut Canal Bridge in Empire was impassable for 4 months after the storm due to debris; wind and surge damage to bridge was caused by an estimated 16 ft. of water during storm; local Route 11 was heavily used during this period for hurricane recovery
- Belle Chasse Ferry landing damaged due to storm and has been in and out of service (The ferry represented the only means of transportation to both banks of the river).
- Local roads were badly damaged as well
- 225 ft. of Tiger Pass Road was eroded by flood waters
- 314 and 1500 ft. of Tidewater Road eroded by flood waters
- Estimated $158,000,000 in levee damage
- Estimated $17,500,000 in damage to pump stations
- Estimated $20,000,000 in damage to Empire and Triumph Flood Gates
Housing and Community Development
- 5,420 housing units either destroyed or received major damage (including vacant)
- 1,136 homeowner units were severely damage or destroyed due to flooding
- Inside the flood plain
- 544 had flood or hazard insurance
- 489 did not flood insurance
- Outside the flood plain
- 74 had flood or hazard insurance
- 114 had no insurance
- 506 homes received minor or major damage
- Inside the flood plain
- 202 had flood or hazard insurance
- 160 had no insurance
- Outside the flood plain
- 132 had flood or hazard insurance
- 53 had no insurance
- 559 rental units were severely damaged or destroyed due to flooding
- Inside the flood plain
- 27 had flood or hazard insurance
- 437 had no insurance
- Outside the flood plain
- 3 had hazard insurance
- 92 had no insurance
- 3,074 homeowner units sustained damage separate from flooding (e.g., wind)
- 1,936 rental units sustained damage separate from flooding
- The Parish has experienced a loss of 4,280 households, a change of -45.1%
- 4,653 households left the parish
- 16,791 Plaquemines Parish residents evacuated to other locations
- 11,747 in Louisiana
- 1,886 in Texas
- 674 in Mississippi
- 75% of the original population was impacted by the hurricanes and became FEMA eligible
- There are approximately 5,687 habitable housing units currently within the parish
- This represents 51% of pre-disaster habitable units
- An estimated 486 housing units are currently vacant
- The median household value was $110,100.00
- The median rent was $521.00
- Number of FEMA trailers requested: 3,523 / Number of FEMA trailers occupied:1,675
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