PRESS RELEASE

Update From Plaquemines Parish
BELLE CHASSE, La. (September 1, 2008) - At this hour, the river levees and the private ‘back’ levees are holding up throughout Plaquemines Parish. There are no reports of flooding at this time. Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser recently toured the parish as far south as the Buras Bridge, but could not go any farther due to high winds. Mr. Nungesser reports that water being pushed up near the top of the private levees… but so far there is no over-topping. He says it will depend on how long the wind continues to push up the water as to whether these levees will hold. Crews are monitoring the situation very closely. Additionally, pump operators have been working again to pump down canals in anticipation of more rain.

Other damage & information:

• · Power is out throughout the Parish
• · There is no running water
• · Power lines down across Highway 23 near Conoco Phillips
• · Several FEMA trailers knocked over
• · Metal roofing ripped off of some sheds
• · Shingles off a number of roofs
• · Trees downed throughout the parish
• · Power poles and lines down throughout the parish & in Belle Chasse
• · Power lines down across Omega Street
• · River levels actually down a bit

NOTE: When the wind dies down enough to allow safe traversing of the parish, Parish President Billy Nungesser will complete his assessment of the parish and will be ferried across the river by the Port Authority to assess the East Bank as well. Again, a complete assessment of the entire parish has not been conducted.

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