Update - because well I needed to and had info to share
I received a copy of our local Parish's (county) Damage Assessment as a result of Hurricane Rita-
Calcasieu Parish: Hurricanes Katrina & Rita Impact Assessment January 18, 2006
High winds, rain, tornados, and storm-surge flooding generated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused extensive damage throughout Calcasieu Parish. The extent and cost of this damage is still being estimated even as the community rebuilds. In the paragraphs below, we try to quantify some of the larger impacts of these two hurricanes on Calcasieu.
Housing
Nearly two-thirds, or 61.1% , of the housing stock was damaged or destroyed by wind velocity and water incursion. At least 24% of the entire housing stock, or 19,338 homes were destroyed. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed 17,104 temporary “blue” roofs on houses, apartments and a limited number of other structures that sustained roof damage but were deemed to be at least 50% structurally sound . Based upon anecdotal evidence, hotel vacancy is essential zero.
Debris
The amount of storm debris in Calcasieu is estimated at 5.73 million cubic yards, enough to cover a football field with a pile more than one half-mile high. Over the past four months , seventy percent of this debris has been collected. This debris includes organic matter-trees and plants-furniture, appliances, building demolition, vessels, and vehicles.
Population
The population of Calcasieu was 183,577 people according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Population estimates just prior to the hurricanes put that figure at more than 195,000, an addition of at least10,000 people in five years. Approximately 50,000 Calcasieu residents are now living outside the Parish and as many as 10,000 evacuees from other places are now residing in the Parish. With other minor statistical adjustments, this translates to a population estimated at 150,000 people. This is a population decrease of 23%, or nearly one in four residents. Approximately 20,000 evacuees from Hurricane Katrina temporarily took shelter in Calcasieu and were forced to flee Rita. Some of these evacuees returned following Rita.
Employment
Due to a number of complex factors, unemployment in the Parish has more than tripled from 5.3% in 2004, to 16.2% in November, 2005, an increase of 10.9%. Many minimum wage jobs are advertised, however, and remain unfilled for long periods of time.
Public and Private Buildings
The Louisiana State Hurricane Center estimates that eight percent of the buildings in Calcasieu were destroyed, with 46 percent suffering minor to moderate damage.
Infrastructure
Power was lost for one to three weeks throughout most of the Parish affecting industrial facilities, commercial establishments and residences including widespread shutdown of sewer and water service facilities.
The Parish-wide highway system, including three moveable bridges in Calcasieu Parish, required extensive debris removal and repairs to make it safe for traffic. A very early rough estimate of Parish-wide highway damage is $20,000,000 . The I-10 bridge over Lake Charles, the main east-west traffic artery through southwest Louisiana, was first closed due to a truck accident and then for an extended period for structural inspection after a barge ran into a supporting structure.
Chennault International Airport and Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCRA) suffered over $80 million in damages, including damage so severe that the LCRA passenger terminal is unrepairable. Chennault was shut down for 4 weeks and LCRA for 15 days causing significant revenue losses.
Lake Charles Civic Center suffered damages estimated at $1.8 million. All but a few of the Sheriff’s vehicles sustained damages from flying debris.
Industry
Petrochemical Plants: Power interruptions of one to three weeks disrupted production at the Parish’s Petrochemical plants including Calcasieu, Citgo, and Conoco/Phillips. In addition to power losses, supply disruption to production facilities occurred from wide spread damage to off-shore rigs and the port closure prior to and during the storm. This caused undamaged facilities to lose production, worker layoff, and additional startup costs.
Forestry: Calcasieu Parish lost half of its trees, estimated to be 626 million board feet of lumber, amounting to 422 million board feet of softwood and 204 million board feet of hardwood.
All six licensed casinos in the Lake Charles were shut down during the power outage. In addition, Harrah’s two river boat casinos and its hotel are damaged beyond repair.
Colleges and Universities
Both McNeese and Sowela Technical College sustained extensive damage, causing shut downs for several months. Sowela is still on a limited schedule.
Calcasieu Parish: Pre-Existing Conditions
Table 1 is a summary of U.S. Census data comparing Calcasieu and the State of Louisiana. Some of the highlights of Table 1 are discussed below.
Housing
The 2000 Census shows 79,995 housing units in Calcasieu Parish, with a median home value of $80,500. The Parish homeownership rate is 71.6%, almost 4% higher than the state, 67.9%.
Population
The 2000 Census data survey of Calcasieu Parish documented 183,577 residents living within the Parish. The population density of this Parish, 171.4 people per square mile, is significantly higher than that of the state, 102.6.
Employment
This Parish is generally more highly educated and well paid than the most of the state of Louisiana. From a recorded employment base of 69,218 at 100% employment, manufacturing and Accommodation /Food Services show greater numbers than that of the State of Louisiana as a percentage of the whole economy. This base shows Manufacturing at 14.0% and Accommodation/Food Services at 14.2%. The relatively large Casino industry, included in the Food Service/Accommodation numbers, accounts for why this category is a greater percentage of the overall Parish employment than it is state-wide. Education levels in the Parish are slightly higher than state averages, with 77.0% achieving high school diplomas and 16.9% with a B.A. degree or higher. Income numbers reflect a median income of $35,372, nearly $3,000 higher than the state average of $32,566. Interestingly, even with this level of employment Calcasieu Parish still has 15.4% of their population living at Poverty level, yet much lower than that of the state which is nearly 20%.
Table 1
Calcasieu Parish and Louisiana
Summary Demographic Information
Description Calcasieu Parish State of Louisiana
FEMA Paid Hotel Rooms 10,260
Population
Land Area (sq. miles) 1,071 43,562
Persons/Sq. Mile 171.4 102.6
Population - 2000 183,577 4,468,976
- 1990 168,134 4,219,973
- 1980 167,223 4,205,900
- 1970 145,415 3,641,306
White Persons 73.6% 63.9%
African American 24.0% 32.5%
Other Ethnicities 2.4% 3.6%
Education
High School Graduates 77.0% 74.8%
B.A. Degree Or Higher 16.9% 18.7%
Housing
Housing Units 79,995 1,847,181
Avg. Persons per household 2.61 2.62
Median Home Value $80,500 $85,000
Homeownership Rate 71.6% 67.9%
Employment
Median Household Inc, 1999 $35,372 $32,566
Persons Below Poverty, 1999 15.4% 19.6%
Non-Farm Employment 69,218 100.0% 1,599,482 100.0%
- Retail Trade 11,429 16.5% 228,290 14.3%
- Health Care & Social Assist. 10,510 15.2% 244,912 15.3%
- Accommodation/Food Serv. 9,812 14.2% 170,158 10.6%
- Manufacturing 9,723 14.0% 150,401 9.4%
Other
Mean Commute Time (minutes) 20.4 25.7
Retail Sales per Capita, 1997 $8,962 $8,229
Note: 2000 Census data unless noted otherwise.
This was put out for a Parish Meeting held this past weekend. You know I always knew that the damage had been extensive but had no idea of some of these numbers.
Good news is that things are getting back in place- stores are staying open late- more resturants are open... and our mail delivery is now closer to normal- pre-storm it took us 2 days to send out the average letter- and up until a few weeks ago took almost 2 weeks for letters to get to destinations- now is getting closer to 5 days or so...
On personal note: I just got back from WDW and Naples, FL- it was a great, exhausting trip- and I had lots of fun in WDW- no we didn't bring the kids- we couldn't justify them to be out of school another week after missing 6 weeks of school for the hurricane... maybe next year.
I'm still a little off in everything- I figured it out over the holidays that I'm missing 2 1/2 months in my head thanks to the two storms- and it just is difficult to get myself back on track.
Our dog- Max- is probably going to the pound today- we can't keep him in our yard- despite our repairs to the fence- and he is either going to get hit by a car or cause some damage somewhere when out- or suffer in our yard chained up or locked up in a small room- hopefully he will be adopted out by some nice family with a big yard and time to devote to him. We will miss him and all but feel it is for the best that he get a new home.
And those who are wondering about my last problem with dh- mostly cleared up- things are much better- and I've even gotten comments from his friends of how he seems to be doing so much better in all aspects of his life now... I do thank my friends (especially Marian) for all the support and encouragement given at that time- it was appreciated.
Congrats- a little belatedly to Helen and David- the idea of you two engaged still makes me grin. It was nice chatting with you two -however briefly the other night.
Guess that is it- I need to check LJ more often to see what everyone else has been up to...
Calcasieu Parish: Hurricanes Katrina & Rita Impact Assessment January 18, 2006
High winds, rain, tornados, and storm-surge flooding generated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused extensive damage throughout Calcasieu Parish. The extent and cost of this damage is still being estimated even as the community rebuilds. In the paragraphs below, we try to quantify some of the larger impacts of these two hurricanes on Calcasieu.
Housing
Nearly two-thirds, or 61.1% , of the housing stock was damaged or destroyed by wind velocity and water incursion. At least 24% of the entire housing stock, or 19,338 homes were destroyed. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed 17,104 temporary “blue” roofs on houses, apartments and a limited number of other structures that sustained roof damage but were deemed to be at least 50% structurally sound . Based upon anecdotal evidence, hotel vacancy is essential zero.
Debris
The amount of storm debris in Calcasieu is estimated at 5.73 million cubic yards, enough to cover a football field with a pile more than one half-mile high. Over the past four months , seventy percent of this debris has been collected. This debris includes organic matter-trees and plants-furniture, appliances, building demolition, vessels, and vehicles.
Population
The population of Calcasieu was 183,577 people according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Population estimates just prior to the hurricanes put that figure at more than 195,000, an addition of at least10,000 people in five years. Approximately 50,000 Calcasieu residents are now living outside the Parish and as many as 10,000 evacuees from other places are now residing in the Parish. With other minor statistical adjustments, this translates to a population estimated at 150,000 people. This is a population decrease of 23%, or nearly one in four residents. Approximately 20,000 evacuees from Hurricane Katrina temporarily took shelter in Calcasieu and were forced to flee Rita. Some of these evacuees returned following Rita.
Employment
Due to a number of complex factors, unemployment in the Parish has more than tripled from 5.3% in 2004, to 16.2% in November, 2005, an increase of 10.9%. Many minimum wage jobs are advertised, however, and remain unfilled for long periods of time.
Public and Private Buildings
The Louisiana State Hurricane Center estimates that eight percent of the buildings in Calcasieu were destroyed, with 46 percent suffering minor to moderate damage.
Infrastructure
Power was lost for one to three weeks throughout most of the Parish affecting industrial facilities, commercial establishments and residences including widespread shutdown of sewer and water service facilities.
The Parish-wide highway system, including three moveable bridges in Calcasieu Parish, required extensive debris removal and repairs to make it safe for traffic. A very early rough estimate of Parish-wide highway damage is $20,000,000 . The I-10 bridge over Lake Charles, the main east-west traffic artery through southwest Louisiana, was first closed due to a truck accident and then for an extended period for structural inspection after a barge ran into a supporting structure.
Chennault International Airport and Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCRA) suffered over $80 million in damages, including damage so severe that the LCRA passenger terminal is unrepairable. Chennault was shut down for 4 weeks and LCRA for 15 days causing significant revenue losses.
Lake Charles Civic Center suffered damages estimated at $1.8 million. All but a few of the Sheriff’s vehicles sustained damages from flying debris.
Industry
Petrochemical Plants: Power interruptions of one to three weeks disrupted production at the Parish’s Petrochemical plants including Calcasieu, Citgo, and Conoco/Phillips. In addition to power losses, supply disruption to production facilities occurred from wide spread damage to off-shore rigs and the port closure prior to and during the storm. This caused undamaged facilities to lose production, worker layoff, and additional startup costs.
Forestry: Calcasieu Parish lost half of its trees, estimated to be 626 million board feet of lumber, amounting to 422 million board feet of softwood and 204 million board feet of hardwood.
All six licensed casinos in the Lake Charles were shut down during the power outage. In addition, Harrah’s two river boat casinos and its hotel are damaged beyond repair.
Colleges and Universities
Both McNeese and Sowela Technical College sustained extensive damage, causing shut downs for several months. Sowela is still on a limited schedule.
Calcasieu Parish: Pre-Existing Conditions
Table 1 is a summary of U.S. Census data comparing Calcasieu and the State of Louisiana. Some of the highlights of Table 1 are discussed below.
Housing
The 2000 Census shows 79,995 housing units in Calcasieu Parish, with a median home value of $80,500. The Parish homeownership rate is 71.6%, almost 4% higher than the state, 67.9%.
Population
The 2000 Census data survey of Calcasieu Parish documented 183,577 residents living within the Parish. The population density of this Parish, 171.4 people per square mile, is significantly higher than that of the state, 102.6.
Employment
This Parish is generally more highly educated and well paid than the most of the state of Louisiana. From a recorded employment base of 69,218 at 100% employment, manufacturing and Accommodation /Food Services show greater numbers than that of the State of Louisiana as a percentage of the whole economy. This base shows Manufacturing at 14.0% and Accommodation/Food Services at 14.2%. The relatively large Casino industry, included in the Food Service/Accommodation numbers, accounts for why this category is a greater percentage of the overall Parish employment than it is state-wide. Education levels in the Parish are slightly higher than state averages, with 77.0% achieving high school diplomas and 16.9% with a B.A. degree or higher. Income numbers reflect a median income of $35,372, nearly $3,000 higher than the state average of $32,566. Interestingly, even with this level of employment Calcasieu Parish still has 15.4% of their population living at Poverty level, yet much lower than that of the state which is nearly 20%.
Table 1
Calcasieu Parish and Louisiana
Summary Demographic Information
Description Calcasieu Parish State of Louisiana
FEMA Paid Hotel Rooms 10,260
Population
Land Area (sq. miles) 1,071 43,562
Persons/Sq. Mile 171.4 102.6
Population - 2000 183,577 4,468,976
- 1990 168,134 4,219,973
- 1980 167,223 4,205,900
- 1970 145,415 3,641,306
White Persons 73.6% 63.9%
African American 24.0% 32.5%
Other Ethnicities 2.4% 3.6%
Education
High School Graduates 77.0% 74.8%
B.A. Degree Or Higher 16.9% 18.7%
Housing
Housing Units 79,995 1,847,181
Avg. Persons per household 2.61 2.62
Median Home Value $80,500 $85,000
Homeownership Rate 71.6% 67.9%
Employment
Median Household Inc, 1999 $35,372 $32,566
Persons Below Poverty, 1999 15.4% 19.6%
Non-Farm Employment 69,218 100.0% 1,599,482 100.0%
- Retail Trade 11,429 16.5% 228,290 14.3%
- Health Care & Social Assist. 10,510 15.2% 244,912 15.3%
- Accommodation/Food Serv. 9,812 14.2% 170,158 10.6%
- Manufacturing 9,723 14.0% 150,401 9.4%
Other
Mean Commute Time (minutes) 20.4 25.7
Retail Sales per Capita, 1997 $8,962 $8,229
Note: 2000 Census data unless noted otherwise.
This was put out for a Parish Meeting held this past weekend. You know I always knew that the damage had been extensive but had no idea of some of these numbers.
Good news is that things are getting back in place- stores are staying open late- more resturants are open... and our mail delivery is now closer to normal- pre-storm it took us 2 days to send out the average letter- and up until a few weeks ago took almost 2 weeks for letters to get to destinations- now is getting closer to 5 days or so...
On personal note: I just got back from WDW and Naples, FL- it was a great, exhausting trip- and I had lots of fun in WDW- no we didn't bring the kids- we couldn't justify them to be out of school another week after missing 6 weeks of school for the hurricane... maybe next year.
I'm still a little off in everything- I figured it out over the holidays that I'm missing 2 1/2 months in my head thanks to the two storms- and it just is difficult to get myself back on track.
Our dog- Max- is probably going to the pound today- we can't keep him in our yard- despite our repairs to the fence- and he is either going to get hit by a car or cause some damage somewhere when out- or suffer in our yard chained up or locked up in a small room- hopefully he will be adopted out by some nice family with a big yard and time to devote to him. We will miss him and all but feel it is for the best that he get a new home.
And those who are wondering about my last problem with dh- mostly cleared up- things are much better- and I've even gotten comments from his friends of how he seems to be doing so much better in all aspects of his life now... I do thank my friends (especially Marian) for all the support and encouragement given at that time- it was appreciated.
Congrats- a little belatedly to Helen and David- the idea of you two engaged still makes me grin. It was nice chatting with you two -however briefly the other night.
Guess that is it- I need to check LJ more often to see what everyone else has been up to...