In a phone interview today, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee gave an upbeat assessment of how the "get in, get out" return of residents was working in Jefferson Parish. The visitors were able to visit their homes and then drive back out on U. S. 61. Sheriff Lee’s comments yesterday likely provided a positive impetus in encouraging residents not to attempt to stay, and follow the basic intent of the plan. With the third day coming tomorrow, Parish President Aaron Broussard and Sheriff Lee appear to have a successful operation under way.

The staging area described last night is apparently only small portion what is going on throughout the parish. All sorts of federal government vehicles are present, including some marked as "Homeland Security." Likewise, there are more military police units and various police vehicles from throughout the country. The local paper said that the 82nd Airborne Division will be setting up a headquarters unit here. We are now seeing helicopters flying low, almost over the house.

In the southern portion of the parish, Hammond is at the intersection of I-55 and I-12. Go South on I-55, and it merges with I-10, which goes on to New Orleans. I-12 East goes to St. Tammany Parish, where the destruction was greater and gets worse as you reach the Mississippi coast. Apparently, our parish has become a key staging and logistical point for movements toward either direction. It is certainly beginning to look that way.