PRESS RELEASES | September 10, 2008
Department of Social Services News Update
DSS, USDA Extend Applications For Disaster Food Stamps
The Louisiana Department of Social Services (DSS) will continue accepting applications for Disaster Food Stamps through Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. DSS Secretary Ann Silverberg Williamson announced the seven-day extension today after it was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Disaster Food Stamp program was previously scheduled to close on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Division of Administration News Update
State Offices In Cameron, Calcasieu Parishes Closed Thursday
Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis announced today that because of evacuations associated with Hurricane Ike, state government offices will be closed on Thursday, September 11, in the following parishes: Cameron & Calcasieu.
Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration News Update
Office Of Coastal Protection And Restoration Officials Working With Levee Districts, Corps In Advance Of Ike's Landfall
The Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration (OCPR) is coordinating with levee districts across Southeast Louisiana as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to close floodgates and direct the necessary resources to reinforce storm protection systems in advance of the approach of Hurricane Ike to the western Gulf of Mexico.
Division of Administration News Update
UPDATED: Breakdown of Certain Costs to State Government for Hurricane Gustav
Yesterday, the Governor stated that, so far, an estimated cost to state government related to Hurricane Gustav is around $210 million, and he cautioned that the number is just a preliminary estimate and is expected to rise.
Lafourche Parish Declares State of Emergency for Hurricane Ike
Due to flooding conditions expected due to Hurricane Ike, Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph has declared a State of Emergency for the Parish of Lafourche, effective at 5:15 P.M., Wednesday, September 10, 2008.
Thibodaux H.S. & Central Lafourche H.S. Shelters Closed, Larose Civic Center Remains Open
The Lafourche Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness has closed two of the three Red Cross shelters in Lafourche Parish.
Evacuated Youth Return to Bridge City Center for Youth
The Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) today returned 100 youth evacuated from Bridge City Center for Youth to the Jefferson Parish facility, from Jetson Center for Youth in Baker. OJJ evacuated the BCCY residents to Jetson for safety on Aug. 30, ahead of Hurricane Gustav’s landfall. Eleven youth brought to Bridge City from St. Bernard and Plaquemines Parishes’ detention centers before the storm were also returned from Jetson today.
Louisiana Workforce Commission News Update
La. Workforce Commission Awarded More Than $22 Million To Fund Hurricane-Recovery Jobs, Vital Needs
The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) announced today that it has been awarded a grant of up to $22.2 million to fund approximately 4,000 temporary jobs for cleanup and restoration efforts in the recovery from Hurricane Gustav. This work may be coordinated through public and private agencies and organizations engaged in such projects.
9/10/08 Update on Water Systems under Boil Advisory
Hurricane Gustav has caused widespread power outages and damage to drinking water systems throughout Louisiana.
Department of Health and Hospitals News Update
Louisiana Chief Medical Officer Continues to Update Number of Gustav Fatalities
Louisiana Chief Medical Officer Louis Cataldie, M.D. releases memo regarding fatalities related to Hurricane Gustav.
UL System Campus Efforts for Hurricane Gustav
The eight University of Louisiana System campuses worked together before, during, and after Hurricane Gustav to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff, as well as help general evacuees and special needs patients.
State Police Continues Efforts During Hurricane Recovery
The Louisiana State Police continues an active and coordinated role of providing public safety services to the public during the recovery period following the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav.
Return of Unused MREs
Per the request of Governor Bobby Jindal, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is asking anyone who has unused Meals Ready to Eat (MRE’s) to return them to their local Office of Emergency Preparedness, Food Bank or other non-profit agencies such as the American Red Cross.
DSS Extends Hours of Disaster Food Stamp Sites, Requests Extension of Process
Department of Social Services Secretary Ann Silverberg Williamson announced today that the hours of the Disaster Food Stamp application sites will be extended. All sites will remain open until 8 p.m. as needed and the highest volume sites in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Jefferson, Lafayette and Sorrento will open at 6 a.m. in order to help process as many applicants as possible.
Business Assistance Centers Opening for Gustav Victims
The LED and the SBA today announced the opening of two Business Assistance Centers (BACs) to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by Hurricane Gustav. Two centers will open Wednesday, September 10 in Metairie and Baton Rouge. Three additional centers will be opening in Thibodaux, Lafayette (Carencro) and Alexandria.
Parish Updates
Last Of Critical Transportation Need Pets Set For Return
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) announced today that the last of the critical transportation needs (CTN) pets that were evacuated by the LDAF and Louisiana State Animal Rescue Team (SART) partnership are being returned to Terrebonne parish on Wednesday, September 10.
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