The May 4th election ended the CCC tolls for the time being.
About one hundred thousand showed up in Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines Parishes to decide the issue. That's only about 1/3rd the number that voted initially when the resolution shared billing with the 2012 Presidential election. Four out of five voted a resounding "No" and the tolls were gone. Officials are now unwinding the details. The toll booths must be removed and the the bridge approach lanes restriped. Refunds of toll tag accounts are underway. The refund of $4 million collected between January and March 2013 remains under consideration. The decorative lights were restored after a brief hiatus to punish the voters.
NOAA’s 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook says there is a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher). These ranges are well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes. The absence of El Nino, warmer water temperatures and a continuing west African monsoon form the basis for their prediction.
Klotzbach and Grey at Colorado State have a slightly different presentation for their prediction but it is ominous nevertheless. They predict a 50% higher chance of being the victim of a major storm this year than median. For the Gulf coast that means a 48% chance rather than 31% and for the entire US Atlantic and Gulf coasts the chance jumps to 72% vs 52%. Predicted ACE is 165 vs median 92.