I heard a call-in on KPFA's Sunday Salon, this morning, from a restaurant owner who claims he's feeding a bunch of people on the dry Algiers (West Bank) side of New Orleans. He said that people there are doing fine and have potable water -- "everything but lights and power." He urged people to get the word out that he's getting a group together that may be capable of supplying food and shelter for hundreds (thousands?) of people.

He also said that KPFA Democracy Now reporters were with him at the time of the telephone call, so we'll probably hear more about this on KPFA, tomorrow, if it's on the level.

In the meantime, I found this link on the NOLA Times-Picayune website:

September 04, 2005

Clarkson reports on Algiers
By Richard Meek
Staff Writer

Algiers was largely spared from Hurricane Katrina and subsequent flood waters, but
New Orleans City Councilman Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson said other parts of her district did not fare so well, noting that water was still standing in parts of Fauborg Marigny, St John, Treme and the Bywater.

[....] In Algiers, she said the sewerage system is operational and that police and National Guard patrols have secured the city. Clarkson said Algiers did not take on water, and that she did not see any homes that were completely destroyed, although many suffered wind damage. She added that the community has running water and safe drinking water.

[....] Clarkson said she will continue rescue operations from her Algiers headquarters and begin to plan what promises to be a long recovery. She said anyone needing emergency and rescue help only should call her at 392-2092."

Presumably, that's area code 504 if the telephone number is in the Algiers area.