Saturday, September 17, 2005
New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- The owners of bars, restaurants and other businesses came back Saturday to see what Hurricane Katrina left behind in New Orleans.
They were told to expect military-style checkpoints where just three weeks ago the good times rolled to a jazzy soundtrack.
Returning evacuees were to be asked for proof they own the businesses they want to visit.
The French Quarter, the central district and Uptown will open, but everyone will be under a strict curfew, the city's homeland security chief, Col. Terry Ebbert, said.
The streets will be open until 6 p.m., and business owners will be warned of the possibility of violence, he said.
People returning to the city are advised against drinking tap water and bathing, and will be told that the sewage and electrical systems are not fully functional. Electric service also is spotty. (See challenges people returning will face)
Everyone will have to leave immediately if it begins to rain, Ebbert said. There is a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms this afternoon, the National Weather Service said Saturday.
The French Quarter, on one of the highest points in the city, suffered power outages but very little flooding after Hurricane Katrina smashed New Orleans on August 29. A handful of people never evacuated and some returned early to clean up.
Faras Canahuati spent part of Friday throwing out the ingredients for baba ganoush and other specialties at his two-month old restaurant.
"I saw [Mayor] Ray Nagin on TV saying he wanted to open up the French Quarter ... so that's why I rushed here today, see what I can do to to clean up," he said.
Nagin said Thursday that the French Quarter will be open for business by September 26.
Canahuati said he was anxious to reopen, for the fun, laughter and "screaming, sometimes" to return.
"It was a good atmosphere," he said.
Jason Mohney, the owner of four strip clubs on Bourbon Street, told Reuters that he saw a unique opportunity ahead.
"It'll be better than ever," he said. "A lot of federal money will be coming in here. Big-time developers will come, too."
They were told to expect military-style checkpoints where just three weeks ago the good times rolled to a jazzy soundtrack.
Returning evacuees were to be asked for proof they own the businesses they want to visit.
The French Quarter, the central district and Uptown will open, but everyone will be under a strict curfew, the city's homeland security chief, Col. Terry Ebbert, said.
The streets will be open until 6 p.m., and business owners will be warned of the possibility of violence, he said.
People returning to the city are advised against drinking tap water and bathing, and will be told that the sewage and electrical systems are not fully functional. Electric service also is spotty. (See challenges people returning will face)
Everyone will have to leave immediately if it begins to rain, Ebbert said. There is a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms this afternoon, the National Weather Service said Saturday.
The French Quarter, on one of the highest points in the city, suffered power outages but very little flooding after Hurricane Katrina smashed New Orleans on August 29. A handful of people never evacuated and some returned early to clean up.
Faras Canahuati spent part of Friday throwing out the ingredients for baba ganoush and other specialties at his two-month old restaurant.
"I saw [Mayor] Ray Nagin on TV saying he wanted to open up the French Quarter ... so that's why I rushed here today, see what I can do to to clean up," he said.
Nagin said Thursday that the French Quarter will be open for business by September 26.
Canahuati said he was anxious to reopen, for the fun, laughter and "screaming, sometimes" to return.
"It was a good atmosphere," he said.
Jason Mohney, the owner of four strip clubs on Bourbon Street, told Reuters that he saw a unique opportunity ahead.
"It'll be better than ever," he said. "A lot of federal money will be coming in here. Big-time developers will come, too."
