State government offices to remain closed in Cameron parish Monday
Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis announced today that because of flooding caused by Hurricane Ike, state government offices will be closed on Monday, September 15, in Cameron Parish.

Louisiana Chief Medical Officer Continues to Update Number of Gustav Fatalities
Louisiana Chief Medical Officer Louis Cataldie, M.D., continues to update fatalities related to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. One more death as a result of Hurricane Gustave was confirmed today, bringing the total to 44. There are also confirmed four deaths as a result of Hurricane Ike: Two accidental deaths of Terrebonne Parish residents and two Jefferson Davis Parish residents who died of natural causes.

Secretary Ann Williamson Sends Letter to USDA Amending Gustav Disaster Food Stamp Program to Accommodate Some August Payrolls
Today, Secretary Ann Williamson sent a letter to USDA to amend the Gustav Disaster Food Stamp program to have the program run from August 30th to September 28th instead of its original period from August 29th to September 27th in order to ensure eligibility for those who receive three or five paychecks in the month of August instead of their usual two or four, due to a rare occurrence in the calendar.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance available for victims of Hurricane Ike
People whose jobs have been lost or interrupted because of the disaster in the 14 parishes eligible for individual disaster assistance as a result of Hurricane Ike also are eligible to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), the Louisiana Workforce Commission announced today.

LDWF Continues Search and Rescue Efforts
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) received several search and rescue (SAR) calls through the night and dispatched SAR teams to those locations at first light this morning. SAR crews rescued an additional 17 people last evening from the north end of Grand Caillou Rd. in Houma to bring the total to 135 people rescued yesterday from Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson, Vermilion and Terrebonne parishes. 

Calcasieu Parish Officials Lift 24-Hour Curfew, Institute Modified Curfew
Local officials have announced that the 24-hour, parish-wide curfew has been lifted. A modified curfew, beginning at 8:00pm – 6:00am, has been issued for all residents. This modified curfew will remain in place until further notice. No vehicular and pedestrian traffic should be on the roadways once the curfew begins, except essential emergency vehicles.

DSS Reopens Disaster Food Stamp Site in Lafourche Parish Ahead of Schedule to Meet Public Need
In an effort to meet the needs of families in Lafourche Parish following hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the Department of Social Services has worked tirelessly to reopen the Disaster Food Stamp application site at Peltier Park in Thibodaux.

Parish Updates

• St. John Parish: Blue Tarp Registration Continues, Waters Beginning to Recede, Nearly All Schools to Open Monday
• Lafourche Parish: Lockport Boat Launch Closed
• Calcasieu Parish: Officials: Help Keep Ditches Clear
  Calcasieu Parish: Modified Curfew Begins

Louisiana State Police News Update
Louisiana State Police, Troop B Continuing Recovery Efforts
Troopers assigned to Louisiana State Police, Troop B continue to assist local and parish officials with traffic management and community protection. Troopers have been working double shifts since Friday, August 29th, and are currently assisting the City of New Orleans Police Department with “Looting Patrols” in the 3rd and 7th districts.

Louisiana National Guard News Update
Rescues continue in small town of Hackberry, LA
While more than 7,000 Soldiers and Airmen of the Louisiana National Guard are assisting in hurricane recovery operations, one small town in southwest Louisiana, is seeing more than its fair share of search and rescue operations. Yesterday, joint efforts by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Calcasieu Sheriff's Department, 225th Engineer Brigade and 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team worked together to save lives and move out those stranded due to Hurricane Ike

Louisiana State Police News Update
Louisiana Interstates Are Open
The Louisiana State Police reports that all Interstate highways throughout the state are open. Troopers are patrolling interstates and state highways to determine if they are safe for motorists to travel.

FEMA Amends Disaster Declaration to Include Additional Parishes
As per Governor Jindal’s request, the Federal Emergency Management Agency amended the major disaster declaration to include additional parishes for Hurricane Ike recovery efforts. Jefferson, Lafourche, Plaquemines and Terrebonne parishes are now included in the disaster declaration.