Back to work...

"Office" Rob reporting once more from his evacuation site... I spoke to Barry on the phone today, and he, John Jr, B.J. and "Plant Manager" Rob were hard at work today getting our computer system and essential machinery up and running. Only one person came in today (Rey) but Lenny is expected to be in tomorrow giving us production and shipping capability. Many of our customers are in the same situation as we are as far as manpower goes, but the storm did a lot of roof damage and our products should be in high demand in the coming weeks.

Again, anyone returning home should be made aware that there are still widespread utilities and power outages across the metro area, but Joval is open and running if you can make it in to work thursday or friday.

ALL EMPLOYEES will be expected to be back to work on Monday, September 8th unless they have made special arrangements with B.J..

And now, the latest Parish-by-parish re-entry schedule:
by The Times-Picayune
Wednesday September 03, 2008, 1:25 PM

Except for Terrebonne and Plaquemines parishes, all residents were allowed back into their homes on Wednesday. All parishes had started admitting essential medical and utility workers, along with employees of construction supply stores, groceries and gas stations, on Tuesday.
In some parishes, dusk-to-dawn curfews remain in effect.


ORLEANS

-- Evacuees on state-chartered buses may return before week's end.

-- Plans to return elderly and infirm residents who were taken to Memphis via Amtrak trains are uncertain. A section of track on the City of New Orleans line along the Bonnet Carre Spillway was damaged during Gustav and cannot support rail traffic. Evacuee trains can take alternate rail lines back to the city.
JEFFERSON

-- All residents could return at 6 a.m. Wednesday

-- Louis Armstrong International Airport expects to reopen to commercial flights Thursday.

ST. TAMMANY

-- All residents: 6 a.m. Wednesday

ST. BERNARD

-- All residents: 6 a.m. Wednesday. All homes without electricty.

ST. CHARLES

-- All were allowed back Tuesday. Residents returning to the area should enter the parish via Interstate 55 to I-10, and I-310. State Police enforcing the roadblock on I-55 at Ponchatoula, have been instructed to let parish residents with proper identification cards through the checkpoint.

-- St. Charles Parish's Web site provides re-entry information, services available and the status of various neighborhoods. www.stcharlesparishgov.net


ST. JOHN

-- All residents: allowed back at 6 a.m. Wednesday.


LAFOURCHE

-- All residents: allowed back 4 p.m. Tuesday. Most homes without power. Estimate on restoring power is 3-4 weeks.

TERREBONNE

-- Remains under a 24-hour curfew. Parish officials have indicated residents could be allowed to return Friday though no official determination has been made.

PLAQUEMINES

-- Residents who live north of the Conoco Phillips refinery are allowed back effective 6 a.m. Wednesday.That includes residents in Belle Chasse and Jesuit Bend.

-- Re-entry date has not been set for residents in the lower end of the parish and those who reside on the east bank.