ELECTRICITY: CLECO is estimating all power will be restored by this evening. There will still be some homes that do not get energized.
CLECO has asked that if you do not have power but surrounding homes do have power to fill out a building permit application.
Building Permits: Download form on-line (mark-up as PDF or print, then fill out) and e-mail to [email protected] (or drop off at City Hall permits office). Printed copies are available in City Hall lobby. If you have trouble, e-mail [email protected]. I can help you through it. INCLUDE YOUR CLECO ACCOUNT NUMBER.
TYPICALLY, permits submitted before noon are inspected that afternoon. Permits submitted after noon are inspected the next morning. Kudos to the Permit Department for the quick turn-around.
The city will send an inspector who will assess the situation and report to CLECO:
- All clear, re-connect
- Problem on CLECO's side.
- Problem on Homeowner's side
In effect, the City is helping CLECO re-store power by diagnosing outages before a repairman comes out.
Of course, for someone that has no damage to their home, this is very frustrating. I am only sharing what CLECO has asked us to do (i.e. I'm the messenger). If you have no damage and would like to contact CLECO directly, the number I was given is 1-800-622-6537. You may be successful (and I hope so).
Interesting (at least to me) it is estimated over 30,000 electric poles in Louisiana toppled in Ida. In Katrina, only 18,000. Destruction of our electric grid in Louisiana is greater than Hurricanes Katrina, Delta and Zeta … combined. The forested area of Covington really got whacked.
SEWER LIFT STATIONS have been a major challenge since last Thursday. Our sewer collection system is not designed to run days on end without electricity. Of our 68 lift stations, the larger ones all have generators. Like our residents, Public Works’ employees are craving electricity for these sites.
Public Works employees are the unsung heroes of this disaster recovery.
BOIL WATER ADVISORY remains in place as a precaution. As long as the City's water wells are on generator power, protocol is we maintain a boil water advisory. Additionally, as large tree stumps are pulled out of the ground, water mains are being broken. When the Advisory has ended, we will announce it loudly, publicly and with glee.