Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal will assess damage and meet with local officials in Belle Chasse, Covington, and St. Bernard Parish.
Gas Stations
The State of Louisiana is collecting the locations of gas stations that are confirmed to have both power and fuel, which will be posted on emergency.louisiana.gov. The public is encouraged to help by going to the website and submitting information on open gas stations as well.
Power Outages
Throughout Louisiana, as of 9:30 am on Thursday, approximately there were almost 2 million customers with power outages out of nearly 3 million customers in Louisiana.
School Closures
Baton Rouge, Louisiana - Today the Louisiana Department of Education issued a report on the status of school districts across the state. (PLEASE NOTE: The report is subject to change. The local school district may make adjustments.) In summary, those school districts located in parishes hit hardest by Hurricane Gustav, primarily in the south central, southeast and central part of the state are indicating they will not be prepared to resume school before Monday. In some cases, particularly where the eye of the storm passed along the Gulf Coast, it will likely be beyond that date, and perhaps as much as a week or two before classes can commence. The western, southwestern and northern parts of the state were spared the immediate effects of Gustav. However, as a result of very heavy rains and tornados sustained in the aftermath of the storm on Tuesday and today, additional school communities outside the path of the storm may have to postpone classes beyond Thursday.
Operations of almost all schools have been halted since Friday, August 29 when the state braced for as Hurricane Gustav.
"As we anticipated, school districts in Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, Assu! mption a nd other parishes in the south are reporting notable damage to school buildings and severe power outages. We are continuing to work with districts as they assess the damages and make adjustments to accommodate students and families in their school communities," said State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek. "Many local superintendents and education officials and working very hard under difficult circumstances to reopen schools for students as fast as possible. Because of great planning and post storm collaboration, these local officials are bringing schools back remarkably fast. The good news is that there are some areas in the state that are ready to resume classes Thursday, and even those who have been substantially impacted seem well prepared and are working to serve their communities. However, there are some locations that have been too heavily devastated and continue to be pelted with rains and tornadoes, and it is just too early to tell when schools in several parishes can reopen. We encourage families to stay tune to their local media for updates."
For information on school district closures, please visit the Department of Education website at www.louisianaschools.net or refer to the attached list of updated closures.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is mobilizing Federal Asset Assessment Teams (FAAT) to identify damages to travel trailers, mobile homes and park models in parishes impacted by Hurricane Gustav. Residents who already know if their temporary housing unit sustained damages should call the maintenance number previously provided to them by their trailer contractor.
"Our teams in the field are working as quickly as possible to assist these families with their housing needs," said Jim Stark, acting associate deputy administrator for FEMA's Gulf Coast Recovery Office.
FEMA applicants can call the FEMA trailer maintenance number at 1-888-294-2822 for further information and assistance. Operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The LouisianaCallCenter will address only Hurricanes Katrina and Rita applicants that are currently living in FEMA travel trailers, park model units, and mobile homes.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Community Coffee
Community Coffee Company is perking up after Hurricane Gustav.
Their manufacturing facility in Port Allen was not affected by the storm, and we will resume operations as soon as power is restored to the area. The following CC’s Community Coffee House™ locations are open with limited hours:
All Lafayette locations except the CC’s® at 340 Kaliste Saloom
3930 Burbank Drive – Baton Rouge, LA
Our Lady of the LakeRegionalMedicalCenter – Baton Rouge, LA
Other coffeehouse locations will reopen as electricity is restored to the area.
In appreciation, the CC’s locations are providing free coffee of the day to police officers, fire fighters, EMTs, and utility workers involved in the relief effort. First responders will simply need to show proper identification to receive a tall cup of Community® Private Reserve® coffee of the day.
EJ Hospital
EastJeffersonGeneralHospital remains opens, and has done so throughout Hurricane Gustav. Emergency Department and Emergency Medical Services remains open. For information on physician offices and schedules, call HealthFinder at 504-456-5000. Calls will be answered between 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
The following are updates on EJGH services:
Outpatient Services and Elective Procedures will resume Monday, September 8.
Flood Waters
Hurricane Gustav's floodwaters may seem harmless to those cleaning up, but hazards can be lurking in the muddy water. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is urging everyone to stay safe and stay out of the floodwaters.
Debris hidden below the water can cause injuries. Charged power lines in floodwaters can electrocute. Some high waters have swift currents that can pull people under.
Floodwaters may look inviting to children, so parents should prevent kids from playing in or around flooded areas. It doesn't take long for a child to drown. In most cases, young drowning victims had been out of sight less than five minutes and were in the care of a parents or relative at the time. Drowning is possible in as little as two inches of water if a caregiver is distracted.
Wildlife and insects also pose a serious danger in floodwaters. Poisonous snakes, alligators, ants and leeches can cause serious injury and extreme pain.
Floodwaters can also be contaminated with sewage, bacteria or chemicals. Do not drink floodwater, and do not use it to brush your teeth or clean dishes
First Lady
Today, First Lady Supriya Jindal will tour National Guard Distribution Points in Baker, Baton Rouge and Plaquemine.
Road Home The state of Louisiana has postponed the Road Home outreach event originally scheduled for Friday September 5 in New Orleans until residents that evacuated due to Hurricane Gustav have time to return to the city and power is restore.
Outreach events are designed to help applicants move through the Road Home program and meet a November 1 deadline for those who have not made their benefit option selections to do so.
Due to Hurricane Gustav, all Road Home offices are closed until Monday, as is the Road Home call center.
Social Security
The following Social Security offices in Louisiana will be closed on Thursday, September 4:
Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge North
Hammond
Houma
Kenner
Morgan City
New Iberia
New Orleans Clearview
New Orleans Downtown
New Orleans Westbank
Opelousas
Plaquemine
In addition, the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review Hearing Offices in Metairie, New Orleans, Houma, and Baton Rouge will be closed.
Many of the services provided by Social Security are offered electronically through the internet site at www.socialsecurity.gov or by calling toll-free to 1-800-772-1213.
