State of Louisiana -
September 8, 2005
We are experiencing an increasing number of fire, rescue and police
units self-deploying themselves to assist here in Louisiana, creating
additional logistical problems.
We ask that you send out a directive via your established
communications links to fire, rescue and police units that they
follow the prescribed FEMA and EMAC procedure when offering aid. If
they wish to help, they should make that known to their state EOC so
that we can more effectively utilize their generous offers of
assistance.
The enormity of the logistics equals the destruction that you have seen
in the news. The task before us is great, and there will be ample
opportunity to assist brother and sister first responders in Louisiana
during their time of need. But that assistance should and must be
coordinated through each states Emergency Operations Center.
From LA State Government
September 7, 2005
FEMA Getting Assistance To Individuals
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As the response efforts to get people out of
harms way and placed in safe clean environments continues, the
Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency
is reaching out to individuals and assisting them in the application
process for disaster assistance. The registration process is one of the
first steps in receiving aid through FEMA's programs, and assistance is
being expedited to assist those in need.
Expedited assistance to help people with their emergency needs of
food, shelter, clothing, and personal necessities is being made
available to individuals as they apply to FEMA on line at www.fema.gov, or by calling
1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585. FEMA personnel are fanning
across the nation visiting shelters and setting up disaster recovery
centers staffed with individuals to assist in the process of providing
expedited assistance.
"We realize that many victims do not have access to the usual means
of even registering for assistance, and FEMA is initiating efforts to
bring the registration process to those in need," said Homeland
Security's Principal Federal Official for Hurricane Katrina response
and head of FEMA Michael D. Brown.
Currently, the amount of money being distributed through the
expedited assistance program is $2,000 per household. This expedited
assistance is made available by FEMA to those residents severely
impacted by disasters from Mississippi and Louisiana who do not have
the usual means of identifying damage to their property or unable to
provide the immediate documentation necessary.
This emergency assistance is provided to help with disaster needs
such as transportation, clothing, rental housing, other housing
accommodations, and food, and is included in the calculation of total
benefits for which victims are eligible.
Once individuals register with FEMA for assistance, funds will be
made available either through the use of electronic transfer to put
funds directly in individuals' bank accounts, debit cards in some
locations, or by check that can be delivered directly to individuals
through the US Postal Service. The US Postal Service and FEMA have been
coordinating to be sure mail is able to be forwarded and delivered to
individuals staying in shelters.
In instances where individuals do not have access to direct deposit
banking means, or are unable to receive checks, FEMA is also
implementing a new assistance delivery tool of issuing debit cards to
the thousand of evacuees at the Houston Astrodome. The program at the
Astrodome, in coordination with the US Treasury, will consist of FEMA
teams assisting people in the registration process, with additional
assistance from the banking community to deliver the debit card on
site.
Once the registration process is complete, individuals without
electronic funds transfer (EFT) will receive their card with a personal
identification number (PIN) and the assistance will be loaded onto the
card within 24 hours, allowing the debit cards to be used at any
automated cash machine (ATM), or at any location accepting bank cards
with the MasterCard logo. Those with EFT capabilities do not have to
wait 24 hours as their funds will transfer quickly.
The use of the debit card program may also be offered in other large
shelters where FEMA has assisted in moving the evacuees into those
areas.
The emergency funds distributed through debit cards do not provide
victims with more assistance than what others may get, but simply
utilizes a new delivery method for expedited assistance. The expedited
assistance being made available to individuals will only be a portion
of the total assistance many people may need, and normal eligibility
determinations will result in subsequent payments of assistance in the
future.
Affected individuals in designated counties can register online for
disaster assistance at www.fema.gov or call FEMA's toll-free
registration line 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) - TTY 800-462-7585. Victims are
encouraged to register on-line due to the possibility of high call
volume. If registering by phone, owners of commercial properties and
residents with only minor losses are urged to wait a few days before
calling so those whose homes were destroyed or heavily damaged can be
served first. Phone lines are open 24-hours, 7 days a week.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal
response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA
also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works
with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood
Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Stores:
D’Iberville, 3586 Sangani Blvd., Suite A.
Ocean Springs, 2424 Vienville Blvd.
Wiggins, 1111 E. Frontage Road.
Hattiesburg, 4930 Hardy St.
Hattiesburg, U.S. 49.
Columbia, Wal-Mart.
Lucedale, 223 Winter St., Suite B.
Laurel, 330 North 16th Ave.
Magee, 503 Pinola Drive SW U.S. 49.
Pascagoula, 2512 Denny Ave.
Waynesboro, Azalea Drive.
Tents that are available beginning today:
Bay St. Louis, U.S. 90.
Gulfport, Three Rivers Road/U.S. 49.
Pass Christian, Pineville Elementary, Menge Ave.
No damage assessments have been received from the Gulf Coast counties.
Preliminary damage assessments that are reported from 44 counties
include:
Homes/mobile homes destroyed: 407.
Homes/mobile homes with major damage: 9,396.
Homes/mobile homes with minor damage: 13,599.
Businesses destroyed: 22.
Businesses with major or minor damage: 677.
Agricultural buildings destroyed: 241.
Agricultural buildings with major or minor damage: 1,285.
The most current reports indicate a total of 325,567 meters without
power. Reports from power companies are:
Entergy reported 39,844 meters without service.
Mississippi Power reported 102,568 meters without service.
Electrical Power Associations of Mississippi reported 183,155 meters
without service.
Commodities to counties:
132 truckloads of ice in 34 counties.
162 truckloads of water in 35 counties.
46 truckloads of tarps in 21 counties.
54 truckloads of MREs in 27 counties.
In Mississippi there are 120 American Red Cross shelters open with
15,418 evacuees.
September 6, 2005
Disaster Recovery Centers to Open
BATON ROUGE, La. -- State
and federal officials announce the opening of Disaster Recovery Centers
(DRC) in Shreveport and Monroe today, Tuesday, Sept. 6, for people
affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Disaster victims are urged to register for assistance first by
calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or, if they have access to the internet,
register online at www.fema.gov. The TTY number is 1 800 462 7585 for
those who are speech or hearing-impaired. Those who have questions may
visit the centers to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists.
Representatives of local, state and federal agencies, as well as
voluntary agencies, will be on hand to provide program and service
information.
The following Disaster Recovery Centers open today, Tuesday, Sept.
6, 2005 at 9 a.m.:
Shreveport DRC
Summergrove Baptist Church
2820 Summergrove
Shreveport, La.
Monroe DRC
Civic Center Conference Hall
401 Leajoyner Expressway
Monroe, La.
The centers will open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week until
further notice.
Representatives of state, federal, and voluntary agencies, as well
as loan officers from the U.S. Small Business Administration, will be
on hand to answer questions and provide recovery information. Written
materials about various assistance programs are also available to
individuals and business owners.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal
response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA
also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works
with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood
Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
September 5, 2005 - Today we filed a Freedom
of Information Act Request whose purpose is to force FEMA to share
information with the public contained in is Hurricane Katrins Daily
Situation Reports (back to top)
September 4, 2005
Katrina Response: Daily Message Points
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Missing Kids Hotline reconnects sevevn children with their families
Saturday night
-Four families at a shelter in San Antonio, TX, were reconnected with
their children in Baton Rouge, LA.
-DSS is arranging air transportation to reunite them.
-This is a direct result of the Missing Kids hotline.
Update of Displaced Citizens in Shelters
-Nearly 49,000 displaced citizens in 75 Louisiana shelters.
-Another 1,000 citizens are located in six special needs shelters.
- There are another 47,540 displaced citizens in 10 shelters in Texas,
Arkansas and Alabama.
DSS Working with FEMA, Red Cross & LANO to Re-unite Families
- Evacuees are manually registered in shelters when they enter and
leave.
- This information is being compiled into a master database; will be
made available on a website and, possibly, by a toll-free number.
- Estimated timeline: several days.
Food Stamps Applications Received
- Abouut 87,000 emergency foods stamp benefits applications have been
received
since Friday a.m.
- Family Assistance offices remain open 24 hours
DSS is receiving reports of Electronic Benefit Transfer cards not being
utilized in some areas, and the Office of Family Support is currently
working with the federal government in resolving this situation. An
announcement should be made later today.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
DOL receives a $62 million federal grant
-To provide about 10,000 temporary jobs for dislocated workers to help
in the recovery and clean-up efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane
Katrina.
- The National Emergency Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor will
be used in part for demolition, renovation and reconstruction of
destroyed public structures, facilities and lands in coordination with
other agencies providing services to affected communities.
DOL Issuing Unemployment Insurance Checks
- DOL is providing unemployment insurance to those persons who were
receiving them prior to Hurricane Katrina.
- If an individual lives in a zip code area of 70000-70199 or
70300-70499, and was expecting a UI benefits last week, these checks
are available.
Checks can be picked up between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Today,
Sunday, through the rest of the week.
DOL Main Office, located at 1001 North 23rd Street in Baton Rouge.
For additional information or directions to this location, please
contact 1-866-783-5567.
DOL Working in Shelters
- DOL went to dozens of shelters around the state Saturday to take
unemployment insurance and disaster assistance claims from evacuees.
- Between 8,000 and 12,000 applications were taken.
- DOL will continue taking claims at the shelters Sunday and next week.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & DEVELOPMENT
17th Street Canal
- Hope to have breach closed by the end of the day.
- A dam is being built across the breach. The dam is being built at 10
feet an hour with rock and dirt.
- Temporary pumps are being positioned for start up.
- Existing pump stations continue to be worked on to be ready for start
up.
- DOTD hopes to have some pumping started before noon tomorrow.
London Canal
- Yesterday, the New Orleans Levee District sealed off/secured the
canal.
- The Army Corps of Engineers is currently mobilizing inflatable barge
equipment in an attempt to reach the two breaches and begin to secure
them. The barges should arrive at the breach site within 48 hours.
Army Corps of Engineers
-The Corps has a contract with Boh Brothers Construction to open
bridges, both movable and railroad, and clear the Industrial canal of
sunken barges.
Ferries
- Working to put ferry landings in service on the East and West Bank to
transport vehicles back and forth from the Chalmette to the Algiers
Point. These vehicles are used for rescues, communication purposes and
recovery efforts.
- Ferries transporting evacuees to Algiers Point are on hold because
there are no more evacuees at the staging points. Boats are engaging in
search and rescue and will bring people to the ferries to be
transported when they are found.
Traffic signals
- Signal crews have completed work in Jefferson Parish, St. Tammany
Parish and St. Charles parish.
- Signal work will be done in Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parish once
the water recedes.
DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
L.D.W.F. Search & Rescue Missions Continue
- As of Saturday evening, LDWF has rescued an estimated 18,000 people.
- Approximately 400 LDWF employees have been devoted to the effort.
- Enforcement staff and other rescue groups have been working 16-hour
shifts using 500 boats since August 29.
- The department is working with personnel representing state wildlife
agencies, state law enforcement agencies, firefighting teams, and
search and rescue specialists from:
Tennessee, Texas, Kentucky, South Carolina, Colorado, Oklahoma,
Pennsylvania and California.
- As the evacuation continues, rescue groups from 12 additional states
will be assisting with rescues and refreshing active personnel.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
DEQ & EPR fly over air-sampling shows no significant chemical
findings
- DEQ and the Environmental Protection Agency flew through a plume of a
fire on Charters St. in New Orleans; revealed no significant chemical
findings.
- Photos reveal fire was not a chemical plant, but a warehouse
containing Mardi Gras floats.
Oil Spill Cleanups
-DEQ coordinating with the Regional Response Team, Louisiana Oil Spill
Coordinators Office and the Coast Guard on oil spill issues.
- There are several oil spills where cleanup is already taking place.
- Some other locations, still inaccessible.
Collaborative Efforts
- The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has provided a
19-member “strike team” to assist our emergency response activities.
- DEQ is working with the Corps of Engineers on debris and solid waste
cleanup and disposal issues
oDebris & solid waste cleanup is a critical issue
oDEQ is trying to find landfills and others means for disposal
- DEQ is working with EPA to contact various railroad companies for
information on contents and status of railcars in the impacted area.
OFFICE OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
OFC Assisting Displaced Citizens Reach their Financial Institutions
- OFC has established a toll-free number to assist displaced citizens
in acquiring information about their financial institutions.
- For information about financial institutions, call 1-866-783-5530 or
225-925-4660 or go online to www.ofi.louisiana.gov.
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
DOC Priorities
- Identifying and classifying inmates from Orleans and Jefferson Parish
Prisons
oEx. Pretrial vs. those convicted
- Working with local and federal enforcement agencies to relocate
inmates and free up space in state institutions.
- Unloading trucks and taking inventory of supplies sent to DOC from
other state correctional systems throughout the country for use in
local shelters first and then state institutions second (clothing,
non-perishable food items, water, etc.).
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
LED Helping Businesses Relocate, Assisting Consulates Locate Displaced
Citizens.
- To provide assistance in temporarily relocating affected businesses,
LED as set up the following email for all inquiries:
katrinabizhelp@la.gov .
- LED has provided contact information to shelters for 70
consulates/countries that are searching for displaced citizens. Some
staff members have opened up personal residences to house consulates as
well. (back to top)
September 4, 2005
Operation Share Your Home
225-328-4983 www.shareyourhome.org
Operation Share Your Home Helps Families Displaced by Katrina
Baton Rouge, LA- Charlie Davis, President of Operation Share Your Home,
today announced the launch of a new web-based database system that will
allow volunteer “Case-workers” from around the country to interface
directly with displaced families. 35,000 people have visited our
website in the past few days and over 4,000 families have offered to
take in displaced families.
“Yesterday we were able to send local volunteers to several shelters to
speak directly to the people that we are all trying so desperately to
help. Today we’re dramatically expanding our network of volunteers by
plugging in new volunteers from around the country to work on an
individual basis with displaced families.
About Operation: Share Your Home
Operation Share Your Home is a group of concerned Louisiana citizens
who have joined together to provide an immediate response to the
tragedy that has struck our beloved state.
We believe that the response to the devastation in our state is not
solely the responsibility of government agencies. Accordingly, we have
founded a charitable organization to assist those looking for temporary
housing by putting them in touch with generous individuals who are
willing open their homes.
Through our network of users via our website, www.shareyourhome.org, we
are working non-stop the help make this situation less confusing and
more bearable for the victims of the greatest natural disaster in
American History.
Operation Share Your Home will assist those looking for temporary
housing by putting them in touch with generous individuals who are
willing house victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Those wishing to help as well as those in need are urged to contact
Operation Share Your Home via their website at www.shareyourhome.org or
their toll free number at 888-827-2525. (back to top)
September 3, 2005
Governor Blanco Announces Executive Orders
Baton Rouge, LA— Governor Blanco today announced the following
Executive Orders:
Executive Order NO. KBB 2005-25- the Louisiana Homeland Security and
Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, R.S. 29:721, et seq., directs
Louisiana school Superintendents in each school district that has
remained substantially operational to contact the Office of Homeland
Security and Emergency Preparedness at 225-925-3916 to provide an
inventory of school buses and bus drivers in their district to be used
in evacuation and transportation of necessary supplies.
Executive Order NO. KBB 2005- Executive Order NO. KBB 2005- 26-
Declares a state of public health emergency to allow licensed medical
professionals and personnel in other states to provide assistance in
Louisiana. Requires that the medical professional register with the
Department of Health and Hospitals be in good standing with their home
state and practice in good faith within the reasonable scope of their
skill, training or ability. Any out-of-state licensed medical
professional interested in providing assistance should call
225-763-8533.
The full text of the above mentioned proclamation is available on the
Internet at www.gov.state.la.us. (back to top)
September 3, 2005
Governor Kathleen Blanco
Remarks from 12:00 p.m. media briefing
Our National Guard troops continue to save lives throughout Louisiana
today. We continue to make good progress.
Right now, there are more than 12,000 National Guard troops – soldiers
and airmen -- working in Louisiana as part of what is now known as
“Task Force Pelican.” Those include 5000 from Louisiana. Seven
thousand from 29 other states. By Monday, we will have 4000 additional
reinforcements.
Federal law prohibits active duty troops from conducting law
enforcement activities. Therefore, I have directed my senior military
officer, Major General Bennett Landreneau, to focus the National Guard
efforts on continuing to create and maintain a secure environment. A
secure environment is critical to continuing search and rescue
operations and restoration of critical infrastructure.
These men and women are doing heroic work saving people and restoring
order.
Yesterday, I personally briefed President Bush on our requirement for
additional federal assistance. In response to this request, this
morning President Bush announced more than 7,000 additional troops are
on the way to help with hurricane recovery. These troops are from
the 82nd Airborne, the 1st cavalry and the 1st and 2nd marine
expeditionary forces.
These federal troops will operate under the direct command of Gen. Russ
Honore, a Louisiana native, who is the commander of Joint Task Force
Katrina. This is welcome news. And I phoned the White House this
morning to express my appreciation to the President.
The combined forces of Task Force Pelican and Joint Task Force Katrina
gives the manpower and equipment that are necessary to address our most
pressing needs.
My goal is to complete life-saving operations, safely evacuate all
affected areas, and transition our displaced citizens to begin
restoring some semblance of normalcy to their lives. To reach that
goal, we are using every resource available … one of those resources is
standing with me today.
I want to introduce you to James Lee Witt. Mr. Witt ran the Federal
Emergency Management Agency for eight years from 1993 to 2001. He has
more than 25 years of disaster management experience.
I have asked Mr. Witt to advise and assist me and Gen. Landreneau on
the recovery effort. As FEMA director, Mr. Witt turned was credited
with turning that agency around. His leadership is proven, his
experience is extensive and he is an asset to this recovery effort. (back to top)
Governor Blanco's letter to President Bush Regarding Hurricane
Katrina
September 3, 2005
President George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20502
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of all Louisianans, I thank you for your visit yesterday to
see the devastation Hurricane Katrina has inflicted on the lives of our
citizens. The enormity of the situation is, as you saw yourself,
impossible to truly comprehend without seeing it firsthand.
I am deeply grateful for your willingness to come down to personally
pledge to the people of Louisiana to do whatever it takes to get the
job done. We appreciate the unique contributions that the Department of
Defense has made, and know that if the soldiers and assets I have
requested are immediately deployed consistent with that pledge, we can
rescue our citizens still in harm’s way, reclaim our communities and
rebuild them, and give our people renewed hope for the future.
I also agree with your idea that – given the unprecedented requests for
federal military assistance that I, and my fellow Governors in
Mississippi and Alabama have made – a “single military commander” of
“Federal Joint Task Force Katrina” be named for federal forces.
I believe such a decision is critical to improving the timeliness of
fulfilling and coordinating the requests for federal assistance that
have already been made. This officer would serve as the single military
commander for all Department of Defense resources providing support to
the Department of Homeland Security and the State of Louisiana. This
could also enhance the contribution of over 25 National Guard states
currently being commanded by the Louisiana Adjutant General.
I ask that you direct the assigned Federal Coordinating Officer at the
Department of Homeland Security (FEMA) to co-locate with my Homeland
Security and Emergency and Preparedness Office at the Federal Joint
Task Force headquarters. This would make the Joint Interagency
Operations Center a truly integrated operation.
Mr. President, these actions are essential to ensure unity of effort
and a fully coordinated federal, state and local response to this
extraordinary natural disaster. I look forward to your favorable
response to my request and welcome any comments or suggestions you
might have. Thank you again for your efforts on behalf of Louisiana.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
Governor
State of Louisiana (back to top)
September 3, 2005
For Disaster information updates
Louisiana has 780,735 customers remaining without power as reported by
the Louisiana
Public Service Commission (11:00AM 9/1/05). Electricity service in
Louisiana areas not
impacted by flooding is slowly being restored.
At 11 a.m., Sept.1, Entergy’s transmission system had 98 lines and 98
substations out of
service. The company is working to restore service for pumping,
sanitation, and housing
facilities in the Central Business District of New Orleans as well as
the west bank of
Jefferson Parish. Aerial damage assessments should be substantially
completed by the end of
the day; however, access to flooded facilities is limited and
preventing detailed assessments.
Restoration of the transmission system in this area is progressing well
except in the areas
impacted by flood waters, which includes over thirty substations in the
New Orleans area.
Salt water flooding in this area is expected to impact substation
restoration due to damaged
equipment.
Entergy now has 9,000 line and vegetation workers restoring
service. Entergy is in contact
with other utilities and contract workers to bring in additional
workers and pre-position as
many out-of-state utility crews as possible to quickly move in to help
restore service. The
company website reports that flooding, fuel supply and other barriers
will make restoration
more difficult.
Louisiana Outages by Major Utility (9/1/05 11:00 AM)
Electric Utility Customers w/o Power % customers w/o power
Entergy Louisiana Inc 391,118 60%
Entergy Gulf States Inc 51,277 15%
Cleco Power LLC 79,672 31%
Entergy New Orleans Inc 200,751 93%
Dixie Electric Membership Corp 24,005 28%
Washington-St Tammany E C, Inc 20,000 48%
South Louisiana Elec Coop Assn 13,912 73% (back to top)
September 1, 2005 Governor Blanco Announces Executive Order
Baton Rouge, LA— Governor Blanco today announced the following
Executive Order:
Executive Order NO. KBB 2005- 31- provides that pursuant to the
Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act,
R.S. 29:721, et seq., grants emergency powers to the governor, where,
she has in consultation with school superintendents, utilized public
school buses for transportation of Hurricane Katrina evacuees. As you
are aware most public school districts will not begin school until
Tuesday, September 6th 2005.
The Image at right shows the flooding of the Mississippi delta on
August 31, 2005 (back to top)
August 31, 2005 Commissioner of Administration Announces
the
Reopening of Additional State Offices
Commissioner of Administration Jerry Luke LeBlanc announced the
Thursday reopening of Louisiana State offices in 4 parishes which had
been closed as a result of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. State
workers in East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, St. Helena and St. James
will return to work tomorrow, September 1st. Offices in an additional 4
parishes will reopen on Tuesday, September 6th. Those offices scheduled
for Tuesday openings are in the parishes of Ascension, St. Helena, St.
James and Terrebonne.
Due to the severity of the damages caused by Katrina, offices in 11
parishes will remain closed until further notice. Those state offices
closed until further notice are in the parishes of Jefferson,
Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Tangipahoa, Washington,
St. Barnard, St Charles, and St. Tammany.
Commissioner LeBlanc has urged supervisors of state workers to BE
SENSITIVE TO THE PARTICULAR NEEDS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES in view of the
difficulties some will face in returning to work in the aftermath of
Katrina. Commissioner LeBlanc again reminded state workers to
monitor local media and to call a work status hotline at 1-800-
360-9660 for daily updates as offices are reopened when conditions
allow.
State workers should also be aware that they may be called individually
by their supervisors to return to work in certain situations. (back to top)
August
31, 2005
Lousiana and Mississippi, the two states hardest hit by Katrina, have
not issused Situtation Reports. I have been informed that
Louisiana will not be issuing any independent reports, but will issue
joint reports with FEMA, at some point in time. The following
report was produced by FEMA from news reports:
National Situation Update: Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
New Orleans 80 Pct Flooded; Dike Breach Letting In Lake Water -
Officials
New Orleans is 80 pct flooded, with water still rushing into the
city after Hurricane Katrina due to a 200 foot breach in a dike
protecting the city from Lake Pontchartrain, city officials said.
New Orleans, most of which is below sea level, is surrounded on
three sides by bodies of water, with Lake Pontchartrain in the north,
Lake Borgne in the east and the Mississippi River in the south.
Most of the flooding was being caused by a breach in the levee
holding back Lake Pontchartrain, officials said, and US military
engineers were searching for ways to plug the hole, including dropping
shipping containers filled with sand from airplanes.
'The breach in the 17th Street canal is about 200 feet wide,' New
Orleans Police Lieutenant Julie Wilson told reporters. 'The water is
going to keep coming in until it reaches the level of the lake. I don't
know what they are going to do.'
'The devastation is greater than our worst fears,' said Louisiana
state Governor Kathleen Blanco. 'It is just totally overwhelming. It is
a tragedy of great proportions.'
'There's no electricity and won't be any for quite a while,' the
governor told reporters in Baton Rouge, the Louisiana capital. 'There's
no water. And there's no food to be had.
'The communications network is completely gone,' Blanco said. 'We
think there may be only one major way into the city right now.'
Governor Blanco said rescuers have saved hundreds of people, but
'many lives' have been lost. 'We know that many lives have been lost,'
she said, but there was no way for authorities to put together any kind
of reliable death or casualty toll.
Telephone communications with New Orleans were cut off and around
700,000 people were without power.
The Superdome, which is holding at least 10,000 evacuees, was
surrounded by water on Tuesday. Evacuees sat tight in the massive
sports arena, which itself bore Katrina's scars after having much of
its outer dome ripped off on Monday. (Media
Sources) (back to top)
August 30, 2005
Governor Blanco Announces Day of Prayer
"As we face the devastation wrought by Katrina, as we search for those
in need, as we comfort those in pain and as we begin the long task of
rebuilding, we turn to God for strength, hope and comfort.
"I have declared August 31, 2005, a Day of Prayer in the State of
Louisiana.
"I am asking that all of Louisiana take some time Wednesday to pray.
Pray for the victims and the rescuers. Please pray that God give us all
the physical and spiritual strength to work through this crisis and
rebuild.
"Please pray for patience for those anxiously waiting to hear from
family members or to get word about their homes. Pray for the safety of
our hard-working rescuers and those they are bringing to safety.
"I know, by praying together on Wednesday, that we can pull together
and draw strength we need; strength, that only God can give us.
"In my prayers, I will also thank God for the strong and resilient
people of this state and how they are working to meet this challenge."
BATON ROUGE – Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
is<> urging Louisiana
citizens who are housed in shelters to stay at their locations until
weather and road conditions can be evaluated.
Evacuees will NOT be allowed to return to some portions of southeast
Louisiana, including Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard
parishes, due to extremely dangerous conditions. Officials warn that
until emergency officials are able to evaluate these areas, citizens
are in danger of injuring themselves and others. State police will not
allow vehicles to travel any roadways into New Orleans and points
south.
Shelters are the safest
locations during this catastrophic time. Many citizens could return to
their homes only to find that their homes destroyed. (back to top)
August 27, 2005
Baton Rouge – Special triage telephone lines will be opened at 12:00
p.m. in each region to accept the calls of citizens seeking special
needs sheltering. Citizens with special needs seeking shelter must call
telephone number in their area BEFORE attempting to access a shelter.
These numbers are listed below.
<>Alexandria: 800-841-5778,
Shreveport: 800-841-5776,
Baton Rouge:
800-349-1372
Monroe: 866-280-7287, Houma/Thibodaux: 800-228-9409,
Slidell/Hammond: 866-280-7724,
<>Lafayette: 800-901-3210, Lake Charles:
866-280-2711
Emergency Shelter Information Points: Tourist Welcome Center, US 65 & 84, 1401
Carter St. (US 84), Vidalia, LA Tourist Welcome Center, TA Truck Stop, Tallulah
Exit (Hwy 65 & I 20) Paragon Casino, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville LA Sammy's Truck Stop, I-49, Exit 53, 3601 LA 115W,
Bunkie, LA Med Express Office, 7525 US 71, Alexandria, LA
An additional number has been opened for residents
in the New Orleans area. It is being answered by staff from the New
Orleans Health Department. This number is 504-658-2500. Residents in
the area who anticipate the need for Special Needs Shelter services
must call this number.
Special Needs Shelters are not designed for the
general public or for nursing home patients. Nursing homes in Louisiana
are required to have emergency evacuation plans in place that ensure
the health and safety of their residents. In most instances, these
plans allow for homes in affected areas to transport their patients to
nursing homes in areas safe from the storm.
Health officials note that if individuals have
health problems that require medical expertise and must evacuate, it is
best for them to go with family members or caretakers north and west to
areas that are out of harm’s way. These shelters will provide medical
support services only. Because of limited staffing, those going to a
Special Needs Shelter must have a caretaker to assist with ongoing
support and they should bring all necessary supplies including sheets,
blankets and pillows. (back to top)
September 2, 2005 - 5:01 P.M. CDT President Remarks
on Hurricane Recovery Efforts--
Kenner, Louisiana
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport,
<>THE PRESIDENT: The Governor and the Mayor of New Orleans,
Senator
Landrieu, Senator Vitter and Congressman Jefferson, Congressman Jindal
and General Blum and I have just completed a tour of some devastated
country. I started in Alabama, and worked our way down through
Mississippi, and ended up here in one of America's great cities, and
saw first-hand the devastation that this city has gone through. I know
the people of this part of the world are suffering, and I want them to
know that there's a flow of progress. We're making progress. I want to
thank the Governor for her hard work, and I want to thank the Mayor.
I know that some of the folks in the outlying parishes here in
Louisiana are wondering whether or not people are paying attention to
them. We are. St. Charles, St. Bernard, Plaquemine Parish, I understand
the devastation that you've gone through as well. So does the Governor
--
GOVERNOR BLANCO: St. Tammany.
THE PRESIDENT: St. Tammany. So does the Governor, and so are the
senators. This is a devastating storm. This is a storm that's going to
require immediate action now. I'm pleased to report, thanks to the good
work of the adjutant general from Louisiana, and troops that have been
called in, that the convention center is secure. One of the objectives
that we had today was to move in and secure that convention center, and
make sure the good folks there got food and water.
The caravans -- the bus caravans are continuing on, as is the
airlift. The people of this part of the world have got to understand --
and by the way, we just came from the 17th Street levee. A lot of folks
are working hard to repair that levee. They've been working around the
clock, 24 hours a day. People from the federal government and the state
government and the local government are working to breach that -- to
fill that breach. The Mayor has been telling me, not only by telephone,
but here in person, how important it is that we get that breach filled
and get that pump station up and running. And we went there to inspect
the progress being done, and the people of New Orleans have got to
understand there's a lot of people working hard, and they're making
good progress.
You know, I'm going to fly out of her in a minute, but I want you to
know that I'm not going to forget what I've seen. I understand the
devastation requires more than one day's attention. It's going to
require the attention of this country for a long period of time. This
is a -- one of the worst natural disasters we have faced, with national
consequences. And therefore, there will be a national response. And I
look forward to continuing to work with the governor and the mayor and
the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to do our
duty to help the good folks of this part of the world get back on their
feet.
Here's what I believe. I believe that the great city of New Orleans
will rise again and be a greater city of New Orleans. (Applause.) I
believe the town where I used to come from, Houston, Texas, to enjoy
myself -- occasionally too much -- (laughter) -- will be that very same
town, that it will be a better place to come to. That's what I believe.
I believe the great state of Louisiana will get its feet back and
become a vital contributor to the country.
I believe the people of Mississippi will recover. I understand we
got a lot of work to do. And I understand it seems dark right now, but
by working together and pulling together and capturing that great
spirit of our country, a great city will rise again, a great state will
be vibrant.
If you want to help, if you're listening to this broadcast,
contribute cash to the Salvation Army and the Red Cross. There will be
other opportunities to give, and we hope you do give. But right now, we
need cash to the Salvation Army and the Red Cross. They're on the front
lines providing help to the people who need help.
May God bless the people of this part of the world, and may God
continue to bless our country. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Louisiana: Traffic
Information Line: 1-800-256-7036 
Advisory
Situation Reports from The HSUS Disaster Center
