PRESS RELEASE

First Search and Rescue Begins Early in Louisiana
National Guard, Wildlife, and Fisheries patrol for problems
BATON ROUGE, La. (September 3, 2008) - The minute Hurricane Gustav slammed into Louisiana’s shore, the Louisiana National Guard was ready.  Coordinating with Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, they took off on the first search and rescue operations flight beginning at 6:00 a.m. Sept. 2, 2008.

The Louisiana National Guard escorted Wildlife and Fisheries to observe potential land-locked areas, failing damns and flood areas.  “Everything looks really good so far,” said Capt. Jubal Masceaux of Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries.  “Compared to Katrina, there is minimal damage in these areas,” he said.

Efforts are still underway as structural damage is surveyed, power is restored and commodity distributions points for necessities are being set up around the state.