JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — The Jefferson Parish water main break caused the pressure at Armstrong International to drop. On Wednesday, the airport brought in portable toilets after closing all restrooms and water fountains.
“We were a little surprised," Jolene Loetscher said, “I have never had a scenario where I show up at the airport and there was no water, and I travel a lot. So, this is a whole new one to put on the list of travel experiences. Hopefully not one that I repeat again.”
Most travelers were shocked when they arrived, but Kristen Mathis' husband warned her before they got there with their 5-year-old niece.
“Mild terror, to say the least. I’m seven months pregnant and I go to the bathroom about every 30 minutes," Mathis said, “Mabery probably goes to the bathroom every, I don’t know, hour or two.”
Mabery told her aunt that they would have to 'hold it.'
Signs at the airport and staff were the only warning some passengers received.
“Our Uber driver told us he woke up to no water, and we didn’t get any message on email or on the app for our flights that this was going on here," Theresa O'Riorden said.
The portable toilets were located outside the first floor of the airport. There were no options after security.
“I am here by myself for business, so I just had to bring my whole luggage into the porta-potty," O'Riorden said.
Some travelers that stayed at a hotel in Metairie said it forced them to go home a day early.
Armstrong International said flights were not impacted. Some restaurants were able to open using bottled water, but most served pre-packed food and drinks.
All public restrooms reopened around 6 p.m.
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