Half a year...February 29th won't happen this year
so I guess we'll recognize March 1st as the half anniversary of landfall.
76% of the Metro Area population is back as of
February 26th. That means 950,000 people are now living in the
area. 41% of Orleans population is
back after six months.
Hotels 75% of 38,000 rooms in operation
FEMA Trailers 45% of 69,706 requested are occupied
*Libraries 55% of branches open
*Transit less than 10% of prior usage with about 1/2 of lines in service
*Traffic Lights 50% in operation, lots of 4 way stops
*Businesses 75% of 81,000 businesses are open
Restaurants 1/3+ of 6,651 are open, many have limited menus (
www.nomenu.com)
Hotels are at 74% of the 38,364 rooms previously available, occupancy is 95%+ as Mardi Gras is in full swing
Hospitals 14 out of 20 open providing 50% of pre-Katrina beds
Electric 73% of 584,000 customers are back on line. Orleans and
Plaquemines are still under half. St. Bernard has only 2% of its pre-K
service after six months.
Schools 61% of 177,000 in public 88% of 50,000 in parochial. Orleans
public schools remain mostly empty as only 14% of 64,000 are back.
Other schools including Orleans Catholic and private schools are
nearing capacity. St Bernard still has only one school open.