<p>DD evacuated to Texas with friends, and the friends are ready to return to New Orleans. It’s hard to get information. Satellite pictures show I-10 open in both directions. Mayor Nagin says some people can return today (i.e., Tuesday), and that “others” will be turned away (though he gives no specifics on what this means). Does anyone know the real status?</p>
<p>If she’s at Tulane, she cannot return until the weekend. No one is allowed on campus until Sept. 6 and the dorms will not reopen until Sept. 7.</p>
<p>If she lives off campus, I would still wait another day or two. Many streets have trees, limbs, and power lines down and no electricity; what’s the rush? Tell her to enjoy her unplanned vacation and wait for things to clear up.</p>
<p>This morning I heard on one of the news channels that the only people that would be returning today, 9/2, are utility workers to get the infrastructure back up and running. The tomorrow, “tier one” businesses. Not sure who that entails. A plan will be announced today with a schedule of who can return when.</p>
<p>With the power down in much of the state, I’d sit tight until state & local officials give their go-ahead.</p>
<p>She’s off-campus, as are the friends she’s returning with. The friends are pushing for “earliest possible return” also. Obviously I’d prefer for them to wait another day or two.</p>
<p>I think if they head back they might find they can not get into the city. What a pain it would be to drive back only to find they are turned away. Even if they can get to their house, why sit there without electricity and find that businesses are not opened. If it were my child (and I have been through this during Katrina) I would tell her no way!!</p>
<p>S and 4 friends are Tulane students who also live off-campus and evacuated to the Atlanta area. They are taking a mini-road-trip and plan to drive back to New Orleans Friday. I have seen some photos posted online and while there was no flooding, the amount of tree debris and utility issues (power and sewer) are real, including the uptown area near the University. They should not plan to return until the mayor gives clearance–I’m guessing it will be no sooner than Thursday for “regular” folks.</p>
<p>A couple of NOLA websites that may show information re I-10 are wwl.com, wdsu.com or nola.com. I’m pretty sure I saw a place for traffic info on at least one of those.</p>
<p>Once again Mayor Nagin proves his overall incompetence. Hard to believe this guy is still around.</p>
<p>Why would anyone want to return to a college campus before classes are starting? What do the students expect to do in NOLA? Where do they think they’ll get food and drinks? </p>
<p>While one can understand that homeowners want to return to their homes to protect them and start cleaning up, it makes *absolutely *no sense whatsoever for transient students to return to an area that is still a complete disaster.</p>
<p>^Transient it may be, In the meantime, Tulane, and NO is HOME.</p>
<p>Pluzzhe, Long Prime, the “home” is boarded up and closed. And, fwiw, a college dorm or off-campus apartment is hardly a home for students who have parents and a REAL home; A college dorm or an off-campus apartment is simply … lodging!</p>
<p>^Cliche. No breaks.
^Students, own their school, and for the time being, it is Home.</p>
<p>Okidoki, your intelligent rebuttal has now convinced me. You’re right … students do own Tulane and their families are waiting on the doorsteps with hot milk and cookies.</p>
<p>^ Mint Julips and lemonade or key lime pie . Too hot for hot chocolate and cookies.</p>
<p>Loyola is scheduled to reopen at noon on Sunday with classes resuming on campus on Monday. I read in the NYT, that Mayor Nagin is asking everyone to delay their return by at least one day, but no mention of mandatory restrictions. Mine is returning on Friday to get re-settled and ready for the week.</p>