PRESS RELEASE

Calcasieu Parish Issues Partial Mandatory Evacuation
LAKE CHARLES (September 11, 2008) - Based on information currently available concerning Hurricane Ike as of 5 am Thursday, September 11, 2008, the Calcasieu Parish Executive Policy Group has issued the following evacuation advisories at this time:

Mandatory Evacuation: For residents who reside in travel trailers, mobile homes, and low-lying areas due to the potential for high water,  storm surge, and wind.  The potential for flooding due to storm surge or high water in Calcasieu Parish is similar to that caused by Hurricane Rita. If your home or property was affected by that storm surge you can expect similar flooding damage.  This mandatory evacuation also includes special needs residents throughout the parish who are home-bound, requiring electricity for their well-being.

For all other residents of Calcasieu Parish, we strongly recommend that you carefully consider the forecast and the projected intensity of the storm and determine whether or not you can safely stay in your home without power for an extended period of time.  If you have any questions or concerns about your safety, you should make immediate plans to leave the area.

This is a very serious situation.  The National Weather Service advises that we can anticipate tropical storm force winds beginning during the day Friday and wind gusts near or above Category 1 hurricane strength late Friday night into Saturday morning.

 Local officials urge all residents who choose to stay in the area to be properly prepared and provisioned for potential power outages and loss of services.

If you desire to leave, but do not have transportation, buses are available at the Civic Center for the transport of individuals to a shelter location in Caddo Parish (Shreveport/Bossier City).  We have arranged that all residents who choose to evacuate will be transported to one centralized location in North Louisiana.  The Sheriff has agreed to provide personnel for security purposes at the shelter.  The Civic Center cannot be used as a shelter at this time.

Residents with special medical needs that are dependent on electrical power for their care and comfort are advised to make immediate arrangements for their care and safety. If you need transportation out of the area and a place to stay, please call 721-4020 to arrange for transportation to the Civic Center for coach bus transportation. The phone lines will open at 8:00 am.  Coach bus transportation will also be available for residents who can be privately transported to the Civic Center.  Transportation will begin at 8 am, this morning. 

Now is the time to prepare and implement your hurricane preparedness plan. Anyone who chooses to stay in the Southwest Louisiana area should have enough fuel, food, water and medication for up to five days. Citizens should be self sustainable with food, water and medical supplies for at least 5 days. Citizens should be prepared for the possibility of power outages that could last for an undetermined time length of time.

Should you decide to leave the area voluntarily, please travel in a northerly direction as you will almost certainly encounter significant traffic congestion should you attempt to travel east or west on I-10. The evacuation routes from Calcasieu Parish are on Hwy. 171, Hwy. 165 North, or Hwy 27.

Residents can pick up sand bags at locations attached to this press release.

A Parish-wide curfew will be in effect from 8p.m. until 6a.m. until further notice.

The next press briefing will take place at 12:00 p.m. today.

For the latest on the recovery from Hurricane Gustav, you can visit emergency.louisiana.gov with the most up-to-date information.

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