Some of New Orleans is still lacking
electricity, although the situation improves daily. First
Unitarian Church and Community Church of New Orleans were both
located in areas that flooded. The tourist areas, such as the
French Quarter, Warehouse District, and parts of Uptown, were
largely unaffected by the floodwaters.
Accommodations
Volunteer Center of First UU Church of New Orleans: Pleasant
“camping conditions.” The center has cots and air mattresses and
a full kitchen in an air-conditioned space. Showers are
guaranteed, but not always hot showers. The center requests a $10
donation per person per day to cover utility costs.
Carrollton United Methodist Church: Has kitchen facilities,
showers, and air mattresses for a $7 donation per person per day
to cover utility costs.
Parking
Street parking is available at both facilities.
Food and drink
Your group will be responsible for all meals and drinks. Most
sites will have microwaves and refrigerators.
Area Grocery Stores
Hours subject to change. Call ahead to confirm.
Whole Foods Market
5600 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA 70115
504-899-9119, www.wholefoods.com
Store hours:
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday–Saturday
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
Wal-Mart Supercenter Store
1901 Tchoupitoulas St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-522-4142
Crescent City Farmers Market
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Broadway Avenue side of Uptown Square
(closest to church)
8 a.m. to noon Saturday, at Magazine and Girord streets
www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org
A list of open restaurants can be found at
http://neworleansonline.com/neworleans/cuisine/restaurant_listings.html
Transportation
You must provide your own transportation.
Climate
South Louisiana is a coastal climate and to say it’s humid is an
understatement. The winters are short and mild and the spring
and fall delightful. The summer, unfortunately, can sometimes be
a long, steamy, hot four to six months. This is the kind of
humidity where you take a shower, emerge outside and get wet all
over again.
Rainfall hits about 60 inches a year for New Orleans. Hard
rainstorms can deliver several inches within a few hours!
Summertime means daily thunderstorms off the Gulf. Wait 20
minutes and they are usually gone and the sun reappears. Be sure
and carry umbrellas with you everywhere. If lightning happens
(and it should), take cover.
If you’re working in the summer, please take precautions. Try to
work in early and late afternoons-evenings to avoid the hot part
of the day. Drink lots of water, since you will sweat a lot in
the excessive humidity. Watch out for sunstroke; wear
appropriate hats and clothes to keep cool and the sun off your
face.
If you’re working in the winter, chances are it will be damp and
cool with stretches reaching down to freezing and below. Wear
clothes in layers. It’s not unusual for winter weather to be
spring-like in the morning and close to snow in the afternoon.
Cold fronts move in fast and bring drastic temperature changes
and sometimes violent weather. Get used to those beeping noises
on your TV that the weather service issues.
Spring and fall are the best times to visit New Orleans.
However, drastic temperature changes can still occur, as well as
stormy weather. It’s best to bring all kinds of clothes, wear
them in layers, and adjust accordingly.
During emergencies
New Orleans medical facilities and pharmacies.
Because of the fragile nature of the Gulf Coast, mandatory
evacuations may be issued if hurricanes approach the area. Be
prepared to leave immediately should this occur.
The UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Volunteer Program will have an
evacuation plan in place, but you will be expected to bring
bedding, food, and water with you. As a reminder, all volunteers
must provide their own transportation in and out of the region.
Please see
Hurricane season for volunteers.
