PRESS RELEASES - Friday, August 29, 2008
Department of Education Announces School District Closures
The Louisiana Department of Education has released the list of school districts that have announced school closures due to the approach of Hurricane Gustav. As of 5:00 p.m. Friday, the following school districts indicated closures for the week of September 1st. Most schools had already planned to observe the Labor Day holiday on Monday.
Crescent City Connection Division Announces Hurricane Preparations
The Crescent City Connection Division announced Friday that it will suspend tolls on the Crescent City Connection Bridge, effective 7:00 a.m. CDT, Saturday, August 30, 2008. Essential Crescent City Connection police, maintenance, and marine personnel will remain on duty throughout the storm threat to direct traffic and secure facilities as needed.
EPA Grants Waiver to Keep Gasoline Available
The Louisiana Departmen t of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is urging Louisiana residents to fill up their gas tanks now. To help ensure adequate supplies of vehicle fuel before and after the storm, DEQ has sought and received a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relaxing federal restrictions on the types of gas that can be processed and sold in the state.
Universities, Colleges in Louisiana Issue Hurricane Gustav Updates
Louisiana colleges and universities issues updates ahead of Hurricane Gustav Friday. Updates include all schools in the University of Louisiana System, Louisiana State University, Southern University-Baton Rouge and Baton Rouge Community College.
OJJ Completes Evacuation Plans for Youth Facilities
The Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) has coordinated movement of youth housed in coastal parish juvenile detention centers to safer locations. Parish detention centers have either evacuated their youth already or made plans to evacuate by Saturday morning. The parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, St. James, Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Martin, Lafayette and Calcasieu have moved youth, who will be housed in facilities from Baton Rouge to north Louisiana, during the emergency period.
La. Workforce Commission announces temporary closure of Workers' Compensation District Courts
The Louisiana Workforce Commission announced the temporary closure of three of its Office of Workers' Compensation District Courts as Hurricane Gustav prepares to enter the Gulf of Mexico.
Governor Jindal’s Update on Hurricane Gustav Preparedness Efforts
Friday, Governor Bobby Jindal held a 5 PM press conference to give an update on state preparedness measures surrounding the possible impact of Hurricane Gustav on Louisiana. Governor Jindal said, “The most updated information from the National Hurricane Center shows that the storm is very likely to get stronger. As early as tomorrow afternoon they will issue a hurricane watch and on Sunday they will likely issue a hurricane warning for Hurricane Gustav. Louisiana will most likely begin to see tropical storm force winds Monday morning. These are very dangerous winds, and because people cannot drive in these conditions, we expect to begin contraflow Sunday morning or even late Saturday night. They are now predicting this could be a hurricane category 3 or 4 storm, and the state is working closely with coastal parishes to aid them in evacuating their residents in a timely manner.”
Corrections Activates Contact Numbers for Offenders, Families
State correctional facilities have been preparing to receive inmates from local coastal parishes in advance of landfall. The Department, in partnership with the Louisiana Sheriffs Association, will be assisting in the evacuation and housing of inmates, starting Friday. As a result of emergency operations, visitation at all state correctional facilities are cancelled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 29-31, 2008. Further updates for the upcoming week will be posted soon.
Department of Agriculture Issues Livestock Evacuation Update
Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M. said all livestock owners in coastal areas should consider the threat of Hurricane Gustav, decide if they need to execute their large animal emergency plans and, if so, do it before contra flow plans are implemented.
Division of Administration Implements Health Plan Changes for Prescription Drug Access for State Employees
Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis announced Friday that, in preparation for the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Gustav, the state Office of Group Benefits has implemented changes to state employee health plans to allow for easier access to prescription drugs during evacuations due to Hurricane Gustav.
DSS Announces Shelters to Prepare for Evacuees
The Department of Social Services (DSS) has state-operated shelters ready to house evacuees Friday. Medical Special Needs Shelters in Baton Rouge and Alexandria and a Critical Transportation Needs Shelter are ready to accept people now. All others will be prepared by 6 p.m. Also, in working with Parish Emergency Preparedness officials, DSS expects general population shelters will be prepared today as well. People who are evacuating on their own and who do not have an alternative shelter should stop at shelter-information points along the evacuation route to receive a reservation for the nearest shelter with openings. They will open as mass-scale evacuations begin.
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