PRESS RELEASES - Saturday, August 30, 2008

Contraflow Begins Sunday at 4:00 AM
As directed by Governor Jindal, Louisiana State Police will initiate contraflow at 4:00 AM Sunday morning. For the first time in history, the entire Louisiana coastal population will be evacuated due to the impending threat of Hurricane Gustav.

McNeese State University to Close
The McNeese State University campus will be closed at 6 p.m. Sunday and will remain closed to all non-essential, emergency personnel until an all clear is given. "Streets to the campus are barricaded and university police are patrolling the campus during the closure," Candace Townsend, McNeese director of public information and communications, said.

State activates Gustav hotlines for Spanish speakers
The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) has activated a toll-free number Spanish-speaking residents of the state may call to get the latest information regarding Hurricane Gustav.

LDAF Providing Options for Residents Evacuating with Pets
The Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) is providing pet evacuation services for people with critical transportation needs (CTN) and vehicles are ready and standing-by at parish pick-up points in Orleans Parish and all coastal parishes.

Evacuees Urged to Use 211 and Toll-Free Number to Find Shelters
Department of Social Services Secretary Ann Silverberg Williamson is urging all citizens who are evacuating in advance of Hurricane Gustav to dial 211 if they are seeking a shelter inside Louisiana. Residents who are looking for a shelter in another state should call the toll-free number 1-866-Get Info (1-866-438-4636) for the location of Red Cross shelters in another state.

Volunteers Needed for Hurricane Gustav Response
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals-Office of Public Health (DHH-OPH) is seeking volunteers to help in pre and post-storm emergency activities. Those interested in assisting are asked to sign up with Louisiana Volunteers in Action (LAVA), the DHH's volunteer management program. Prospective volunteers should register at www.lava.dhh.louisiana.gov. DHH-OPH volunteer coordinators will then call registered volunteers with information on when and where to report.

Governor Jindal’s 5 PM Update on Hurricane Gustav Preparedness Efforts, Announces 4 AM Contraflow Across South LA and School Closures
Today, Governor Bobby Jindal held a press conference to give an update on state preparedness measures surrounding the impact of Hurricane Gustav on Louisiana. The Governor announced that contraflow would begin along south Louisiana at 4 AM Sunday morning. Additionally, the Governor issued an executive order closing schools in central and north Louisiana Tuesday and Wednesday to free up shelter space and bus resources for local residents and residents in south Louisiana.

Governor Bobby Jindal Issues Executive Order on Temporary Housing of Displaced Youth
Today, Governor Bobby Jindal issued an executive order establishing guidelines for the evacuation of youth, under the control of Youth Services, within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, in preparation for Hurricane Gustav.

Governor Bobby Jindal Issues Executive Order Declaring Public Health Emergency
Bobby Jindal issued an executive order declaring a statewide public health emergency in preparation for Hurricane Gustav.

University of Louisiana System Hurricane Gustav Status Update
The eight University of Louisiana System campuses are vigilantly monitoring Hurricane Gustav. All have activated their campus emergency action teams. The four South Louisiana universities are making appropriate arrangements to secure the safety of their campus faculty, staff, and students, if necessary, and the four North Louisiana universities are preparing to support and assist, as needed.

Governor Bobby Jindal Issues Executive Order on Licensed Bed Capacity for Nursing Homes
Today, Governor Bobby Jindal issued an executive order creating guidelines for licensed bed capacity for nursing homes in preparation for Hurricane Gustav.

Governor Bobby Jindal Issues Executive Order of Closure of Schools
Today, Governor Bobby Jindal issued an executive order suspending classes from Tuesday, September 2nd to Wednesday, September 3rd in thirty school districts.

Plaquemines Parish Declares Curfew, Mandatory Evacuation
Plaquemines Parish officials have declared a curfew in that parish tonight. It will go into effect at 10:00 p.m. Saturday and end at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. Plaquemines Parish officials say no one may enter the parish after 6:00 p.m. Sunday.

DSS Begins Evacuation Assistance in New Orleans
The Department of Social Services announced today that as soon as New Orleans activated its city emergency plan, DSS employees began registering residents without independent transportation. These residents will be tracked through a computerized system so that family members will be able to find them.

Plan Ahead, Fuel Up as You Evacuate for Gustav
As evacuations begin, Governor Bobby Jindal is urging travelers to be prepared by filling up their vehicles with gasoline as soon as possible and packing necessary supplies. Also, with the additional traffic on the road, it is important that people traveling have enough gasoline to get to their destination.

Veterans’ Affairs Evacuates Southeast and Southwest Louisiana War Veterans’ Homes
Evacuations have begun of the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home in Reserve, La. and the Southwest Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jennings.

DHH, DSS Ask Media to Carefully Distinguis Between Shelter Types when Distributing Information
The Department of Health and Hospitals and the Department of Social Services are asking media outlets to be mindful of the differences between Medical Special Needs Shelters and general population shelters when distribution contact information to the public. There have been several reports of phone numbers for Medical Special Needs Shelters being distributed as general population shelters, which is resulting in delayed assistance in matching up citizens with the proper services and slowing down storm preparations.

More Louisiana Universities and College Announce Closures
Additional universities and colleges in Louisiana have announced closures and preparations in advance of Hurricane Gustav. Included in this update are public and private universities and colleges, as well as technical and community colleges across south Louisiana.

State Activates Hotline in Advance of Hurricane Gustav
The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) has activated a toll-free number citizens may call to get the latest information regarding Hurricane Gustav. Citizens may dial 1-866-288-2484 to listen to a recorded message with the most up-to-date information state officials have on the storm and preparations for it.

City of New Orleans Enacts Evacuation Plan
The city of New Orleans enacted its Assisted Evacuation Plan at 8 a.m. Saturday morning. The city is instructing residents who need assistance evacuating from the city because of financial or other reasons should go to one of 17 pick-up points. They will be transported via RTA buses to the Union Passenger Terminal. Once they are checked in at the UPT, they will be evacuated by bus, train or plan. Each pick-up point has special signage.