On August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida, a Category 4 storm, damaged buildings and infrastructure at several of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (JELA’s) park units. Congress provided Disaster Supplemental funding (DS-22; a.k.a Hurricane Ida Projects) for 20 emergency recovery, short-term stabilization, and long-term treatment projects. As of April 2024, 14 of these projects are completed. Emergency RecoveryOn September 3, 2021, the National Park Service (NPS) crews assessed damages to park facilities and lands and cleared trails and hazardous trees. Short-Term StabilizationIn late 2021 and throughout 2022, projects included removal and replacement of mold and water-damaged drywall and floors and carpets inside flooded buildings, and damaged roofs, windows, and doors to unit exteriors. Repairs were conducted to damaged wastewater treatment systems and fire alarm sensors. Long-Term Stabilization and TreatmentStormwater ponding throughout the National Cemetery has contributed to grave markers becoming misaligned and deteriorated. Phased efforts began in May 2022 to correct and repair grading and stormwater drainage infrastructure. Sections of the cemetery not under construction will remain open to the public. Construction is expected to begin in the Fall 2025. Phased project efforts began in May 2022 that will consolidate and relocate park administrative and visitor services functions to existing buildings located on higher grounds in the Barataria Preserve, reducing the park’s infrastructure footprint. The Jones Point site will be restored to natural conditions. Phased construction is expected to begin in February 2025. In 2022, an extensive Collection Condition Survey (CCS) of JELA’s museum collection was conducted and treatment proposals were made. In December 2023, the park’s French Quarter museum collection began to be relocated from New Orleans to the Cane River Creole National Historical Park curatorial facility in Natchitoches, LA. This effort will minimize future threats to the collection by severe weather. This move was completed in February 2024. Work is ongoing to repair and improve some of the boardwalks and trails damaged during Hurricane Ida. Repairs will increase resiliency to account for severe weather flooding, rising sea levels, subsidence, and storm surges. This project began in May 2022; the pre-design phase was completed in July 2023, and the schematic design phase in August 2023. As of February 2024, the project is in the detailed design phase. An Environmental Assessment (EA) was released on March 19th for a 30-day public review period. By February 2-25, phased construction is expected to begin. Some trails will remain open while others are being repaired. Trails that are OPEN as of 4/16/24:
Trails that are temporarily CLOSED due to unsafe conditions or nearly continual flooding as of 4/16/24:
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Last updated: April 16, 2024