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9-15-08 8:30pm - St. Tammany Parish Shelter Update

The Red Cross has closed the shelter located at the Coquille Sports Complex at 13505 Hwy 1085 in Covington, near Hwy 1077. The shelter located at Grace Memorial Baptist Church on Pearl Acres Road in Slidell, remains open for residents who cannot reach their houses. Please bring bedding and personal care items if planning to spend the night.

9-12-08 5:30pm - St Tammany Road Closure Update

The following areas in St. Tammany have water on the roads at this time due to the effects of Hurricane Ike:
Madisonville – the town remains closed at this time, except for residents and emergency vehicles.

Mandeville – the lakefront is flooded up to Jefferson Street, and the historic Lewisburg area has water in the streets.

Covington – some streets in Flowers Estates have water, including South Azalea and Zinnia.

Lacombe – Lemieux Blvd, Bremmerman Rd., Hwy 434 south of 190 (Lake Rd.), St. Louis St., Barringer Rd., Bell Park Rd., Lapont Dr., Boe Dr., Clesi Dr. and roads south of Clesi, including Lacombe Harbor Ln, Pine Bay Ln., and Cypress Bayou Ln.

Slidell – Bayou Paquet Rd., S. Genevieve Ln., Gwin Rd., Bayou Liberty Rd., West Ln., Myrtle Ln.,Marina Dr. by Eden Isles, all of roads in Eden Isles have water but are passable at this time, and Oak Harbor Blvd.

East Slidell – Hwy 433 (Old Spanish Trail) by Salt Bayou and south, Treasure Isle Road, Hwy 90 from 1st St. out to the state line, Apple Pie Ridge Rd., Old River Rd., Avery Isles area, the Indian Village Rd. area, including Red Mill Dr. and Blue Ridge Dr.

9-12-08 5:15pm - St. Tammany Parish Update - Coastal Residents Need to Be Aware of Tide
CLECO has just reported that electrical outages are down to 775 at this time, almost half of which are in Old Mandeville off Jackson. Repairs are underway in that area.

After Lake Pontchartrain peaks later tonight, the water will slowly begin to drain. We will have low tide tonight, however, and the water is expected to rise again at we approach high tide around noon on Saturday. Residents in the coastal areas need to be aware of these expected tidal fluctuations and plan accordingly.

The Red Cross has opened the following shelters in St. Tammany Parish: the Coquille Sports Complex, which will be open at 12:30pm. The Sports Complex is located at 13505 Hwy 1085 in Covington, near Hwy 1077. The second shelter is located at Grace Memorial Baptist Church on Pearl Acres Road in Slidell, and opened at 3:30 pm. This is a temporary shelter, for residents who cannot reach their houses. Please bring bedding and personal care items if planning to spend the night. At this time, St. Tammany is working on opening more shelters in other areas as needed.

9-12-08 4pm Friday - St. Tammany Food Stamp Location Closed Saturday
The Castine Center will be closed on Saturday, September 13, 2008 for Disaster Food Stamp applications. The location will reopen Sunday morning at 8AM.

“Sightseers are a threat to property. They will not be tolerated,” said Parish President Kevin Davis. “Law enforcement will stop sightseers and take the fullest punitive action allowed by law.”

Water is continuing to rise in the lower areas of St. Tammany Parish. Three feet of water is reported on Highway 11 at the entrance to the Eden Isles subdivision. Lake Pontchartrain is not expected to level off until around 9:00 PM tonight, with a slow drain expected to begin after midnight. At 4:00 PM, parish employees will do a full reconnaissance of coastal St. Tammany.

Civic Center
Bayouside Parking Lot (near Library – back corner) 346 Civic Center Blvd. 850-4657 or 860-4572
Coteau Park next to Fire Station 2325 Coteau Road Houma 868-4355 (Fire Station)
Shriever Fire Station (Hwy 24 North) 1529 West Park Houma 446-8498
Gibson East Fire Station 5218 Bayou Black Drive Houma 575-2831
Friendswood Church Village East Houma
Mechanicville Gym Senator St. (East Houma)

9-12-08 2:30pm - St. Tammany Road Closures
The following major roads in St. Tammany Parish have been closed:

Mandeville
the lakefront south of Claiborne
In Lacombe
Harbor Road off Oaklawn, south of Clesi
Thompson
Sue Dr., Patterson
Grand Lake
Lemieux
¼ mile past the Tammany Trace
Lake Road up to Bell Park Road.
The Rigolets area has water over roads, including everything in the Indian Village and Avery Estates area.
In the Slidell area:
Carr Dr.
Salt Bayou Rd.
Bayou Paquet Rd.
Rat's Nest Road
Transmitter Road
Marina Dr. in Eden Isles
Northshore Circle
Lakeview Drive.
In the Madisonville area:
La 22 between the Madisonville Bridge and Fairview State Park
Hwy 1077 (Lake Rd.) south of Hwy 22
Old Pontchatoula Hwy.

9-12-08 2pm- TERREBONNE PARISH, UNIFIED COMMAND STRUCTUTRE - MANDATORY EVACUTATIONS DUE TO HURRICANE IKE

Mandatory evacuation orders have been revised for the following areas:

-A mandatory evacuation is in effect for all of bayou Dularge from Cenac Towing south.
-A mandatory evacuation is in effect for all of Highway 56 south from Woodlawn Ranch Road (Chauvin area).
-A mandatory evacuation is in effect for all of Highway 57 south from Woodlawn Ranch Road (Ashland, Dulac areas).
-A mandatory evacuation is in effect for all of Highway 55 south from intersection of Klondyke/Bourg Larose Highway (Montegut area).
-All of Pointe Aux Chenes along Highway 665 up to its intersection with Highway 55.
Water is rising in all areas of the lower sections of the Parish and many roadways are already overrun and in some locations, too deep to drive a vehicle. There are numerous levee overtopping and breaches which continue to cause flooding. Officials expect weather conditions will cause water to continue to rise throughout the rest of the day and night. If residents have not evacuated and require help, please call the Unified Command Center at (985) 873-6357 or the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 876-2500.

The following roads are currently closed in St. Tammany Parish due to water from the effects of Hurricane Ike: in Mandeville, the lakefront south of Claiborne. In Lacombe: Harbor Road off Oaklawn, south of Clesi, Thompson, Sue Dr., Patterson, Grand Lake, Lemieux ¼ mile past the Tammany Trace, Lake Road up to Bell Park Road. The Rigolets area has water over roads, including everything in the Indian Village and Avery Estates area. In the Slidell area: Carr Dr., Salt Bayou Rd., Bayou Paquet Rd., Rat’s Nest Road, Transmitter Road, Marina Dr. in Eden Isles, Northshore Circle and Lakeview Drive. In the Madisonville area: La 22 between the Madisonville Bridge and Fairview State Park, Hwy 1077 (Lake Rd.) south of Hwy 22, Old Pontchatoula Hwy.

9-12-08 11:30am - State of Emergency Declared for St. Tammany Parish Due to Hurricane Ike

PLEASE do not drive down flooded streets. We are getting reports of cars causing wakes that are endangering homes. Do not drive through flooded areas.

We are opening the Coquille Sports Complex as a Red Cross Shelter in western St. Tammany. The Red Cross is working on opening a shelter in eastern St. Tammany shortly. We have reached high tide on the eastern side of the parish, but not the western. In addition, we will all have to watch the lake levels closely as the water begins to drain from Lake Pontchartrain. The winds will shift, moving the water toward the north shore as it also moves east through the Rigolets.

Road Closures: Updated 9/12/08 12:30pm

The following roads are currently closed in St. Tammany Parish due to water from the effects of Hurricane Ike:

In Mandeville: the lakefront south of Claiborne.

In Lacombe: Harbor Road off Oaklawn, south of Clesi, Thompson, Sue Dr., Patterson, Grand Lake, Lemieux ¼ mile past the Tammany Trace, Lake Road up to Bell Park Road.

The Rigolets area has water over roads, including everything in the Indian Village and Avery Estates area.

In the Slidell area: Carr Dr., Salt Bayou Rd., Bayou Paquet Rd., Rat’s Nest Road, Transmitter Road, Marina Dr. in Eden Isles, Northshore Circle and Lakeview Drive.

In the Madisonville area: La 22 between the Madisonville Bridge and Fairview State Park, Hwy 1077 (Lake Rd.) south of Hwy 22, Old Pontchatoula Hwy.

Shelters for Hurricane Ike - 11:30 AM(09-12-2008)

The Red Cross will open the following shelter in St. Tammany Parish: the Coquille Sports Complex, which will be open at 12:30pm. The Sports Complex is located at 13505 Hwy 1085 in Covington, near Hwy 1077. This is a temporary shelter, for residents who cannot reach their houses. Please bring bedding and personal care items if planning to spend the night. At this time, St. Tammany is working on opening more shelters in other areas as needed.

9-12-08 Friday 11:20am - St. Tammany Shelter Opening
Due to the rising water from the effects of Hurricane Ike, the Red Cross will open the following shelter in St. Tammany Parish: the Coquille Sports Complex, which will be open at 12:30pm. The Sports Complex is located at 13505 Hwy 1085 in Covington, near Hwy 1077. This is a temporary shelter, for residents who cannot reach their houses. Please bring bedding and personal care items if planning to spend the night. At this time, St. Tammany is working on opening more shelters in other areas as needed.

9-12-08 - Friday 10:30am St. Tammany Road Closures
The following major roads in St. Tammany Parish have been closed:
LA 22 between the Madisonville Bridge and the Fairview State Park
Highway 190 near Apple Pie Ridge Road
Highway 433 (Bayou Liberty Road) between Caroll Road & St. Genevieve Church (includes Bayou Liberty Bridge)
Highway 1077 South of Madisonville
Do not attempt to drive through flooded streets. If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Daynelle Schenck, St. Tammany Parish
Assistant to the Director of Cultural & Governmental Affairs
(985) 898-5243 E-mail dschenck@stpgov.org - www.stpgov.org

9-12-08 10:00am - TERREBONNE PARISH, UNIFIED COMMAND STRUCTURE

1.Many of the efforts previously directed to deal with the effects of Hurricane Gustav have been redirected to deal with problems Terrebonne Parish is now experiencing with Hurricane Ike.

2.The mandatory evacuation order for residents in the following areas remain in effect:
-Lower Pointe Aux Chenes
-Lower Chauvin south of Boudreaux Canal
-Lower Grand Caillou/Dulac
-Those residents below Falgout Canal on Bayou Dularge
-Montegut/Those residents below the Bourg Larose Highway at Klondyke

3.Presently, two (2) shelters are open for evacuees from Hurricane Ike; those being Houma Jr. High and First United Pentacostal Church at 215 South Hollywood Road for special need evacuees. Approximately 100 people evacuated to Houma Jr. High last night and the total number of people being sheltered at this time is 224. An unofficial shelter is open at the East Park Recreation Center and Red Cross personnel will go to that location today to assist the East Park personnel.

4.Commodities Distribution:
-Because of the high winds, rain and water on the roadways, residents are asked to stay off of the roads and not go to the distribution points for commodities if at all possible. However, if they do go, they will be served. Again, there are only three (3) distribution sites and those are: (1) Houma Civic Center, (2) Montegut Fire Station, and (3) K.C. Hall in Pointe Aux Chenes next to the church.

5.Food stamp benefits:
- The state has suspended all operations at both food stamp locations (Bayou Black Recreation Center and Kirshman’s until further notice). Parish officials have asked the State of Louisiana to reopen these facilities as soon as possible and to add additional sites to meet the large request for benefits.

6.Because of the high winds and rain from Hurricane Ike, the hot meal distribution centers provided by the Red Cross and the Baptist Ministries and the Terrebonne Restaurant Association have been suspended until further notice.

7.The only emergency room presently open in the parish is located at Terrebonne General Medical Center. Terrebonne General Medical Center is fully operational.

8.Debris pickup is on-going and continues today, despite the effects of Hurricane Ike.

9.Sewerage is at 98% capacity.

10. Residents are again reminded that they can begin to expect water discoloration and strong odors with their drinking water.The water is safe and the boil water order was lifted in all areas of the parish with the exception of the following:
- Shrimper’s Row
- La. Highway 57 from 4798 Grand Caillou Road to the end
- From the beginning of La. Highway 55 to the end
- From the beginning of La. Highway 56 to the end
- All of Bayouside Drive
- All of the Pointe Aux Chenes community
- Bourg-Larose Highway
- Old Spanish Trail
11.Utilities - Those residents who are being serviced by the City of Houma Utility Dept. and SLECA, both of whom are operating at 100% at this time, may experience power outages because of the temporary nature of some of the repairs made within the system and the effects of the high winds and water associated with Hurricane Ike. Hopefully, these outages will be corrected as quickly as possible.

- Entergy customers who are not receiving electrical service at this time should not expect service until sometime next week based upon present information.

12.The Levee District continues to monitor all levees within the parish and problems such as breaches, seepage, and overlapping are being addressed as they are reported.

13.Public Safety - Law enforcement officials request that all parish residents stay off of the roadways unless they have an emergency. Residents can expect high winds and rain throughout the day and night which will cause dangerous driving conditions.

- The parish curfew of 10:00 pm to 6:00 am remains in effect until further notice as does the sale of all alcohol.

14.Evacuees-Residents in the low lying areas who did not evacuate and are experiencing problems and need to evacuate, please call the Unified Command Center at (985) 873-6357 or the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 876-2500.

15.Terrebonne Parish schools are still expected to open on Monday, September 15, 2008.

16.Because of problems associated with Hurricane Ike which are compounding the recovery efforts from Hurricane Gustav, a press briefing will take place at 6:00 p.m. today.

Michel Claudet Vernon Bourgeois
Parish President Sheriff, Parish of Terrebonne

9-12-08 Friday 8:30am St. Tammany Parish Government Low Lying Area Flooding
Low Lying Areas of Parish Experiencing Some Rising Water. As of 8:30 this morning, low lying areas in St. Tammany Parish from Indian Village in Slidell to Madisonville are experiencing some rising water due to the effects of Hurricane Ike. If residents wish to leave these areas, please do so now before the water gets too high.

9-12-08 Friday, 7:20am St. Tammany Parish Government
Statement by Parish President Kevin Davis: The water is rising in St. Tammany's coastal areas, from south of Slidell through Madisonville. We have confirmations of water covered roads in Indian Village, Northshore Beach, Palm Lake, Coin du Lestin, Lacombe and Mandeville. We are waiting for a report from Madisonville at this time. We have no reports of home flooding at this time. Emergency Operations personnel are inspecting St. Tammany’s coastal areas at this time. Public Works crews are activated to close streets and assist as necessary. Please do not drive through flooded streets. It is dangerous for you and it may push waves into homes. The National Weather Service says that water will continue to rise through mid-morning and then be slow to drain off. Drainage may not begin until Sunday.

9-11-08 5:30pm Emergency Declared, Voluntary Evacuation ordered for low lying, Schools closed ST. JOHN
HUBBARD DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR IKE All residents are asked to assist with the drainage parish wide by picking up debris and cleaning out ditches, culverts, and catch basins. St. John is expected to experience tropical storm force winds and rain beginning TONIGHT. VOLUNTARY EVACUTATION: recommended for low lying areas and mobile homes. Effective 6pm September 11. SCHOOLS CLOSED: Friday, September 12. CURFEW REINSTATED midnight to 6 am beginning Sept 11th. Bans the sale of guns, ammo, and alcohol. Sandbags: Available at the St. John Airport & Capt. Bourgeois St. (bring your own shovel) FOOD STAMPS REGISTRATION: CLOSED Friday, Sept. 12th. Re-open Saturday, Sept 13th. New Wine Christian Fellowship at 1929 West Airline Hwy in LaPlace. Hours are from 8 am to 8 pm. Registration will be from until September 17th. Residents are required to bring proof of identification, income, and residency. Residents can also go to www.dss.state.la.us or www.sjbparish.com for more information and eligibility requirements. Burning is illegal in St. John Parish per Ordinance: 93-66, Ch. 10 POWER: Outages may be experienced by our residents due to Hurricane Ike. For safety reasons, Entergy Response Crews will not respond while our area is experiencing high winds.Contact: Buddy Boe, b.boe@sjbparish.com 985-652-2222

HURRICANE GUSTAV UPDATE

GARBAGE COLLECTION: has begun. President Hubbard ordered 8 more trucks into the parish to assist with the garbage pick-up.

DEBRIS: Please begin cleaning your property upon your return. Place all debris on the curb of your property. Crews will be picking this debris over the next week or two. ***ST. JOHN DISASTER RECOVERY TEAMS are picking up debris parish wide.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE DEBRIS IN THE DRAINAGE DITCHES AND CANALS. *Debris Management Crews are beginning the debris clean-up effort in full force. Crews will be working from 7am -7pm..residents are asked to begin cleaning their property and place their green debris in one pile at the edge of the road. Please separate green goods from white goods to assist in debris clean up.

COURTHOUSE: HAVE RE-OPENED. All sections (A, B, & C) will re-open.(Pending weather conditions brought on by Hurricane Ike. Criminal court that was set for LaPlace in Division A, on Monday, September 8, 2008 is reset to October 13, 2008 for the same time at the same place.

Post Storm Update – Red Cross and Food Stamps
For information regarding Red Cross assistance, call (866) 438 – 4636.
Starting Tuesday, September 9, 2008, St. Tammany Parish residents can apply for Food Stamps from 9am to 6pm at the Castine Center in Mandeville. In order to apply, residents must have the following: proof of residency, a photo ID, social security card, and social security cards of any dependents they plan on claiming.

St. Tammany Parish - Monday, September 08, 2008

Children’s Museum Groundbreaking Postponed - The groundbreaking for the St. Tammany Children’s Museum, scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, has been postponed due to the storms. A new date has not been scheduled.

Hurricane Gustav Victims Qualify for IRS Disaster Relief - IR-2008-100, Sept. 3, 2008

Updated Sept. 4 to add St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes. The IRS is postponing until Jan. 5, 2009 deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. The postponement applies to return filing, tax payment and other time-sensitive acts otherwise due between Sept. 1, 2008 and Jan. 5, 2009. This includes:

Individual estimated tax payments due Sept. 15, 2008.
Corporate extended 1120 tax returns due Sept. 15, 2008.
Individual extended 1040 tax returns due Oct. 15, 2008.
“As residents of Louisiana return to their homes following Hurricane Gustav, taxes are one thing they won’t need to worry about,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. “This relief gives them extra time to get their lives in order before having to deal with their tax matters.”

In addition, the IRS will waive the failure to deposit penalties for employment and excise deposits due on or after Sept. 1, 2008 and on or before Sept. 16, 2008 as long as the deposits are made by Sept. 16, 2008.

Other provisions are listed in the Grant of Relief section below.

Taxpayers who reside in or have a business located in the following parishes qualify for the relief announced today: Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Sabine, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Vernon, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

IRS computer systems automatically identify taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and apply automatic filing and payment relief. Affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area must call the IRS disaster hotline at 1-866-562-5227 to request tax relief.

If an affected taxpayer receives a penalty notice from the IRS, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate any interest and any late filing or late payment penalties that would otherwise apply. Penalties or interest will be abated only for taxpayers who have an original or extended filing or payment due date between Sept. 1, 2008 and Jan. 5, 2009.

Covered Disaster Area

The Louisiana parishes listed above constitute a covered disaster area for purposes of Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(d)(2) and are entitled to the relief detailed below.

Affected Taxpayers

Taxpayers considered to be affected taxpayers eligible for the postponement of time to file returns, pay taxes and perform other time-sensitive acts are those taxpayers listed in Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(d)(1), and include individuals who live, and businesses whose principal place of business is located, in the covered disaster area. Taxpayers not in the covered disaster area, but whose books, records, or tax professionals’ offices are in the covered disaster area, are also entitled to relief. In addition, all relief workers affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization assisting in the relief activities in the covered disaster area are eligible for relief.

Grant of Relief

Under section 7508A, the IRS gives affected taxpayers until Jan. 5, 2009 to file most tax returns (including individual, corporate, and estate and trust income tax returns; partnership returns, S corporation returns, and trust returns; estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax returns; and employment and certain excise tax returns) or to make tax payments, including estimated tax payments, that have either an original or extended due date occurring on or after Sept. 1, 2008 and on or before Jan. 5, 2009.

The IRS also gives affected taxpayers until Jan. 5, 2009 to perform other time-sensitive actions described in Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(c)(1) and Rev. Proc. 2007-56, 2007-34 I.R.B. 388 (August 20, 2007) that are due to be performed on or after Sept. 1, 2008 and on or before Jan. 5, 2009. This relief also includes the filing of Form 5500 series returns in the manner described in section 8 of Rev. Proc. 2007-56. The relief described in section 17 of Rev. Proc. 2007-56, pertaining to like-kind exchanges of property, also applies to certain taxpayers who are not otherwise affected taxpayers and may include acts required to be performed before or after the period above.

The postponement of time to file and pay does not apply to information returns in the W-2, 1098 or 1099 series, or to Forms 1042-S or 8027. Penalties for failure to timely file information returns can be waived under existing procedures for reasonable cause. Likewise, the postponement does not apply to employment and excise tax deposits. The IRS, however, will abate penalties for failure to make timely employment and excise deposits due on or after Sept. 1, 2008 and on or before Sept. 16, 2008 provided the taxpayer made these deposits by Sept. 16, 2008.

Casualty Losses

Affected taxpayers in a presidentially declared disaster area have the option of claiming disaster-related casualty losses on their federal income tax return for either this year or last year. Claiming the loss on an original or amended return for last year will get the taxpayer an earlier refund, but waiting to claim the loss on this year’s return could result in a greater tax saving, depending on other income factors.

Individuals may deduct personal property losses that are not covered by insurance or other reimbursements but they must first subtract $100 for each casualty event and then subtract 10 percent of their adjusted gross income from their total casualty losses for the year. For details on figuring a casualty loss deduction, see IRS Publication 547, Casualties, Disasters and Thefts.

Affected taxpayers claiming the disaster loss on last year’s return should put the Disaster Designation “Louisiana/Hurricane Gustav” at the top of the form so that the IRS can expedite the processing of the refund.

Free Return Copies and Transcripts

The IRS will waive the usual fees and expedite requests for copies of previously filed tax returns for affected taxpayers. Taxpayers should put the assigned Disaster Designation in red ink at the top of Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, or Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, as appropriate, and submit it to the IRS.

Affected taxpayers who are contacted by the IRS on a collection or examination matter should explain how the disaster impacts them so that the IRS can provide appropriate consideration to their case.

Taxpayers may download forms and publications from this Web site or order them by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). The IRS toll-free number for general tax questions is 1-800-829-1040.

St. Tammany Parish Flood Map Open House - Monday, September 08, 2008

Open House To Be Rescheduled - Contact: Suzanne Parsons-Stymiest @ (985) 898-5243
Due to Hurricane Gustav recovery and the possibility of Hurricane Ike, the St. Tammany Parish FEMA Flood Map Open House scheduled for this Thursday, September 11 has been cancelled. The open house will be rescheduled for a future date.

Office of the Tangipahoa Parish President, Gordon Burgess - Monday, September 8, 2008 9:00 am

A Point of Distribution for FEMA commodities will be open today from 8:30am to 2:30 pm at Harvest World Outreach Center on Yokum Road in Hammond. Traffic will enter from the I-12 Service Road from Range Road. Commodities will be distributed as trucks arrive. We ask that only residents with a real need utilize this site.

September 7, 2008 - Capital One Bank today announced that all but 10 of its locations in Louisiana Have Reopened

The locations below have reopened and are following regular business operations and schedules: Southwest Louisiana (including Lafayette, Acadiana, Lake Charles and surrounding areas), Central Louisiana (including Rapides and Avoyelles parishes), Northeast Louisiana, Northwest Louisiana, All Texas locations.

Greater New Orleans Region - 54 banking locations in the region, only the following location is scheduled to remain closed: Edgard in the River Parishes

Baton Rouge Region - 29 banking locations in the region, only the following four locations are scheduled to remain closed: Baker, Government, Shenandoah, Staring Lane

Terrebonne, Lafourche and Assumption parishes - 17 banking locations in the region, only the following five locations are scheduled to remain closed: Chackbay, Chauvin, West Second, Eastside, Golden Meadow

Once the locations that remained closed are deemed safe and operational, they will reopen. Capital One Bank’s decisions regarding closing and reopening of branches are based on the safety of bank associates and customers, electrical power availability, weather and road conditions, and staffing considerations.

Capital One has 175 locations and 320 ATMs in Louisiana and 166 branches and 276 ATMs in Texas. Customers also have the option of using Capital One ATMs and the Capital One’s Online Banking service at www.capitalonebank.com.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School will resume school as planned Monday, September 8, 2008.- September 7, 2008 (4:15 pm)

A broken water pipe threatened to close school but the problem was fixed and school will open tomorrow as planned. - Contact: Mrs. Hicks, CEO/Principal 504-427-7417

Office of the Tangipahoa Parish President, Gordon Burgess - Sunday September 7, 2008 3:30 PM

A Point of Distribution for FEMA commodities will open today at 4pm at House on the Rock Church in Tangi-Lena Shopping Center at 727 West Oak Street in Amite. Commodities will be distributed as trucks arrive. We ask that only residents with a real need utilize this site.

St. James Parish - September 7, 2008

The St. James Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness along with the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office is announcing effective 6:00 a.m. on Monday, September 8, 2008 the alcohol ban and curfew will be lifted.

Office of the Tangipahoa Parish President, Gordon Burgess - Sunday September 7, 2008 1:30 PM

A Point of Distribution for FEMA commodities will open today at 2pm at Harvest World Outreach Center on 43052 Yokum Road in Hammond. Traffic will enter from the I-12 Service Road off of Range Road. Commodities will be distributed as trucks arrive. We ask that only residents with a real need utilize this site.

St. James Parish - Hurricane Gustav - September 7, 2008

The St. James Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness along with the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office wants to remind residents of the Right of Entry Collection Center that has been set-up by the Corps of Engineers for the Blue Roof Program at the North Vacherie Volunteer Fire Department on Hwy. 18. It will be open from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. today.

St. James Parish – September 6, 2008

The St. James Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness along with the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office has set-up two point of distribution sites (PODS) to distribute MREs, ice and water. Romeville Elementary in Convent will be the location on the east bank. Welcome Park in St. James will be the location on the west bank. Additionally, residents wishing to apply for the Blue Roof Program, a Right of Entry Collection Center has been set-up by the Corps of Engineers at the North Vacherie Volunteer Fire Department on Hwy. 18 beginning immediately until 8:00 p.m. tonight.

Office of the Tangipahoa Parish President, Gordon Burgess - Saturday September 6, 2008 10:00 am

Tangipahoa Parish Emergency HOTLINE 985 748 3211

1.Tangipahoa Parish has two commodity distribution sites (one in Hammond and one in Amite). The parish has not received the commodity shipments at this time. As soon as they are received an announcement will be made regarding the locations and the operating hours of the sites.

2. The Department of Social Services has informed Tangipahoa Parish that filing applications for Disaster Food Stamps will begin on Tuesday September, 9 at the African American Heritage Center in Hammond and the Amite Community Center in Amite. Centers will be open from 7am to 7pm.

3.The following boil advisory has been issued by Tangipahoa Parish Environmental Health:
THESE WATER SYSTEMS CAN NOT BE CONTACTED BY DHH:
Global Wildlife Center - Folsom
Louisiana Technical Collage - Hammond
Magnificat of the Holy Spirit - Lee’s Landing Road, Ponchatoula

THESE WATER SYSTEMS LOST PRESSURE AND ARE ON A BOIL ADVISORY UNTIL A NEGATIVE SAMPLE RECEIVED BY DHH
Brady Place - sampled 9/6/08, pending results
Charlie Rose Mobile Home Park - sampled 9/5/08, pending results
Kentwood Rest Area
Oakwood Estates - sampled 9/6/08, pending results
Pinehill Subdivision
Village of Tangipahoa
Manchac
Viola Mobile Park - sampled 9/5/08, pending results
Blue Crystal Mobile Home Park - sampled 9/5/08, pending results
Skinneys Rest - sampled 9/5/08, pending results
Interstate Mobile Home Park - sampled 9/5/08, pending results
East Tickfaw Waterworks
Baywood Estates - sampled 9/5/08, pending results
Intersection Connection Mobile Home Park - sampled 9/5/08, pending results
Hudspeth Mobile Home Park - sampled 9/5/08, pending results

Saturday September 6 - WST Electric Update
WST is pleased to report that as of this evening, every member who’s meter can accept power will have power throughout our service area. Our outage number, 866-672-9773, will remain staffed to address individual problems as they arise.

Charter School Reopening
Principal Bridget Ramsey announces that the New Orleans Charter Science and Math High School requests Staff to report on Monday, Sept. 8 and Students to report on Tuesday, Sept. 9 For updates, visit http://www.noscihigh.com

Headmaster Sean Wilson says the International School will reopen Monday, Sept. 8 for staff and students. For more info, visit http://www.isl-edu.org

Church of the King - September 5, 2008
In partnership with the New Orleans Dream Center, has opened a relief center to help provide immediate assistance to the hurting in our community. The center is located at 1137 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans and will be open Monday through Friday from 10am – 4pm, Saturday from 10am – 3pm, and on Sunday from Noon - 4pm. Water, drinks, personal hygiene products and MRE’s are available. For more information, assistance 504-621-5544 or visit neworleansdreamcenter.org

St. James Parish - September 5, 2008
The St. James Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness along with the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office has issued a burn ban until September 11, 2008. Ice will be available at Welcome Park in St. James beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 6th. The shelter located at Lutcher High School has been closed as of 3:00 p.m. today, Friday, September 5th. As a reminder curfew will be in effect from 10:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. until further notice.

CITY OF DONALDSONVILLE - 9/5/08
MAYOR LEROY SULLIVAN, SR. & CITY COUNCIL

• According to Mr. Norbert Redmond with Peoples Water Service Company, there is no truth of water problems in Donaldsonville.

• The City of Donaldsonville was advised that the Donaldsonville area is getting 20 National Guardsmen to help assist at the distribution center (The Lemann Center). As of 9:00 a.m. tarp, water and food were being distributed at the Lemann Center.

• Ice will be delivered to the Lemann Center some time today.

• Entergy has brought in a large group of help and work is being done at this time in the Donaldsonville area. 100 lineman and servicemen will be working in our area. Constituents are asked to cooperate in keeping the streets available for them to get in and out of the various areas. They are asking that the constituents don’t stop them to ask questions while they are working; this will only delay their work.

• The main power unit is up and they are now in the process of repairing the transmission lines coming into Donaldsonville on the north side of Donaldsonville. We have 110 poles that are down.

• Entergy is working to get the hospital and nursing home on line and also, the gas stations and grocery stores. We may start to see some light soon in some areas of Donaldsonville.

• Donaldsonville has a 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew.

• Wal-Mart will open at 12:00 p.m. today. Their hours will be Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

• The Catholic Charities will come to the Lemann Center on Monday, September 8, 2008 through Thursday September 11, 2008, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. with supplies such as: food, water, snacks, hygiene products, cleaning supplies and possibly some meals.

• The local pastors and ministers are asked to come out and give spiritual guidance, counseling and support to our constituents.

• The Mayor and City Council are working hard to accommodate the constituents of our city and are asking for your patience during this difficult time for our city.

City Park Reopens Monday

While a full assessment of damages is incomplete, park officials believe Hurricane Gustav caused between $500,000 and $1,000,000 in damages, primarily as a result of downed trees, debris, and lost revenue. Staff, volunteers, and hired contractors are currently in the process of clearing debris and righting approximately 200 recently planted trees. Staff is also assessing building and utility damage throughout the park. Playground areas have been cleared and are awaiting youngsters.

The park will officially reopen on Monday, September 8. The Parkview Café in the Casino Building will reopen Monday morning along with the park’s administrative offices. The Botanical Garden will reopen on Tuesday. We anticipate that tennis, Storyland, the Amusement Park, Pan American Stadium, Tad Gormley Stadium and THE NORTH GOLF COURSE(!) will be open for operations and football games by next weekend. For the latest information on park reopenings, visit www.neworleanscitypark.com and www.cityparkgolf.com

IRS OFFICES IN LOUISIANA TO REOPEN SEPTEMBER 8TH

NEW ORLEANS - Several Internal Revenue Service offices in Louisiana will reopen on Monday, September 8th, after having been closed due to the effects of Hurricane Gustav.

The following offices provide limited taxpayer assistance on a first-come, first-served basis and are normally open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday:

ALEXANDRIA 3508 Government Street
Alexandria, LA. 71302
LAFAYETTE 4021-A Ambassador Caffery Parkway
Lafayette, La. 70503
LAKE CHARLES 921 Moss St.
Lake Charles, LA 70601
NEW ORLEANS 1555 Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA 70112

Taxpayers who need assistance with federal tax issues may also contact the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-1040 or visit the IRS on the Web at www.irs.gov.

WINN-DIXIE REOPENS FINAL 8 STORES - All Louisiana stores now open
As of 9 a.m. CDT on Friday, Sept. 5, Winn-Dixie has reopened all of its 54 stores in Louisiana that had previously closed in anticipation of Hurricane Gustav. The company also has reopened all of its stores in Mississippi and coastal Alabama that had closed because of the storm.

BANK RE-OPENINGS: Capital One and Chase Capital One branches open

Orleans and St. Bernard Parish (all open Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
French Quarter
St. Charles
Eastover
Mid-City
University Drive-up
Civic Center Drive-Up

For Capital One associates who work in downtown New Orleans, the 313 Carondelet St. and Place St. Charles buildings will be open Friday.

Jefferson Parish (all open Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Airline
Causeway
Elmwood
West Esplanade
Kenner
Severn
Manhattan
Gretna
Causeway
Chateau

Northshore (all open regular hours)
All branches open regular hours except for Lacombe and Northshore Square, which are expected to reopen next week. The Mandeville branch will offer drive-up service only on Friday.

River Parishes (all open regular hours)
Boutte
Destrehan
Luling
West Airline

Chase branches open

NEW ORLEANS
Covington
Slidell
Medical Center Slidell
Highway 22
Flower Estates
Pontchartrain
Roosevelt
Severn
Harahan
Kenner
Terrytown
Place St. Charles
Gentilly Woods
St. Charles Ave.
Veterans Memorial
Elmwood
Bonnabel
Royal Bienville
Prytania
Lake Forest
Parc Fontaine
Hammond

St. James Parish Public Schools to Re-open Wed., September 10

Lutcher, LA – The St. James Parish Public School System will re-open for students beginning Wednesday, September 10.

All 12-month employees and the food service department staff, including Cafeteria Managers and technicians are to report on Monday, September 8. Teachers will report on September 9.

The media will be notified of any changes to the current advisory if and as soon as the information is made available.

Power Returns to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center

Power has been restored to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center in Thibodaux. All 3 Lafourche Hospitals now have power. Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital and Lady of the Sea General Hospital had power restored yesterday evening.

Stores are now open at Clearview Mall

RETAIL
Target
Bed Bath & Beyond
AT&T Cellphone Store
Dollar Tree

RESTAURANTS:
PJ's Coffee of New Orleans
Cello's Pizza & Italian Food
Semolina
Zea Rotisserie

Lafourche: Four Distribution Points Set Up for Friday

The Lafourche Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness will re-open the four distribution points used yesterday which includes the following sites:

• Thibodaux High School football stadium parking lot (on Tiger Drive in Thibodaux)
• Raceland Recreation Center (241 Recreation Drive in Raceland)
• Holy Savior Catholic Church (in Lockport)
• Galliano Wal-Mart (on Hwy 3235 in Galliano)

All four distribution points will be open from 8:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M. The purpose for these times is to ensure people do not have to be on the road during curfew hours. Lafourche Parish has a parish-wide curfew in effect from 8:00 P.M. until 6:00 A.M. each day until further notice.

Lafourche Parish OEP will make every effort to coordinate incoming supply trucks to keep all four sites stocked with commodities including water, ice, M.R.E.’s and blue tarps.

Winn-Dixie & Sanderson Farms Team Up to Offer Free Ice to Storm Victims

The Winn-Dixie store in Laplace
will distribute free ice to St. John the Baptist Parish. A tractor-trailer truck loaded with 40,000 pounds of ice will be conveniently positioned in the parking lot of the store, where each person or family can receive one free 60-pound box of ice, while supplies last.

Friday, Sept. 5 beginning at 8 a.m. (while supplies last) Winn-Dixie #1583 1830 W. Airline Highway in Laplace

The Red Cross has 8000 lunches (not MRE’s ) ready to feed the Donaldsonville community. Please announce that these lunches are available at the Lemann Center at 1100 Clay St.

Thanks, Mayor Leroy Sullivan

Office of the Tangipahoa Parish President, Gordon Burgess - Thursday September 4, 2008 at 6:00pm.

At the request of Tangipahoa Parish President Gordon Burgess, Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Mike Strain has announced that dairy farmers without electrical service in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes may access up to 100 gallons of diesel per day for running their generators. Dairy farmers must present their permit number at 47076 N. Morrison Blvd in Hammond. (985) 543-4057. Tangipahoa Parish Emergency HOTLINE (985) 748-3211.

Jeff McKneely, Tangipahoa Parish Information Officer

LOUISIANA SPCA – GUSTAV UPDATE

The Louisiana SPCA is currently handling animal emergency and animal rescue calls ONLY. To report an animal emergency or an animal needing rescue please contact the Louisiana SPCA at 504-368-5191 ext. 100 or contact the Louisiana SPCA by email at info@la-spca.org.

Because our shelter is located in Algiers, which is still impacted by power outages, the Louisiana SPCA is currently not open to the public but we will resume our regular operations as soon as possible.

The LA/SPCA is also alerting New Orleans residents that several unauthorized animal groups have entered New Orleans to go onto citizens’ properties to remove animals, presenting themselves as animal rescuers. Please be aware that the Louisiana SPCA is the only organization in Orleans Parish authorized to respond to animal rescue calls and to respond to animal emergencies. If you see anyone entering your or your neighbor’s property that is not with the Louisiana SPCA and are attempting to remove an animal from its property it should be immediately reported to the police.

Please check the LA/SPCA website at www.la-spca.org for continual updates.

WINN-DIXIE & SANDERSON FARMS TEAM UP TO OFFER FREE ICE TO STORM VICTIMS

Grocery Store Distributes Truckload of Ice to Residents Affected by Hurricane Gustav

WHO: Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. and Sanderson Farms.

WHAT: Winn-Dixie and Sanderson Farms are offering assistance to those affected by Hurricane Gustav in

St. John the Baptist Parish by offering free ice at the Winn-Dixie store in Laplace.

A tractor-trailer truck loaded with 40,000 pounds of ice will be conveniently positioned in the parking lot of the store, where each person or family can receive one free 60-pound box of ice, while supplies last.

WHEN & Friday, Sept. 5 beginning at 8 a.m. (while supplies last)

WHERE: Winn-Dixie #1583 1830 W. Airline Highway in Laplace

.

DELGADO AND LTC REGION 1 REOPEN MONDAY, SEPT. 8

New Orleans, La., September 4, 2008 – Dr. Ron Wright, chancellor, has announced that all Delgado Community College locations, including all campuses, learning centers and sites will reopen Monday, September 8.

All Louisiana Technical College (LTC) Region 1 campuses and centers will also reopen Monday, September 8.

All classes, including online classes as well as all college business operations resume at 8 a.m. on Monday, September 8.

There was no substantial damage at any Delgado or LTC Region 1 facilities and electrical power has been restored for all locations.

Blood Center Needs All Eligible Donors to Give Blood

In the wake of Hurricane Gustav, The Blood Center is asking the community to donate blood. Due to severe weather conditions, The Blood Center was forced to cancel blood drives and close donor centers, causing a serious drop in the community blood supply.

“Extreme weather brings with it a serious threat to our local blood supply,” said Blood Center President & CEO Billy Weales. “Collections were set back for a full six days, which caused a drop in our inventory levels. We need donors of all blood types to donate now in order to help restore the blood supply to safe levels to ensure that we can supply the hospitals in our area.”

Currently, The Blood Center is operating on special extended hours its donor centers in Metairie, Hammond, Slidell and Mandeville. Donors can go to these centers Friday September 5th through Sunday, September 7th, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Blood Centers plans to resume normal operations beginning Monday, September 8th.

· Metairie Donor Center: 3400 16th St., (504) 887-2833

Hammond Donor Center: 42268 Veterans Ave., (985) 542-0263

Slidell Donor Center: 1337 Gause Blvd., (985) 641-4400

Mandeville Donor Center: 1814 N. Causeway, (985) 626-4937

In order to maintain a healthy and stable community blood supply, The Blood Center must collect between 300 to 350 pints of blood everyday. Donating blood is safe, simple and easy, and just one pint can help to save up to three lives. Up to 60% of the population is eligible to donate blood, but only 5% actually do. Donors must be in good health, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be at least 17 years of age to donate blood. The entire donation process takes less than an hour.

The Blood Center is a non-profit community service organization serving over 30 hospitals and outpatient facilities throughout Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi. For more information, please call The Blood Center at (800) 86-BLOOD or visit www.thebloodcenter.org.

Lafourche Parish OEP: 4th Distribution Site Added in Lockport

Lafourche Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness has announced the opening of another Distribution Site in Lafourche Parish at the Holy Savior Catholic Church parking lot in Lockport. This site will have ice, water, blue tarps and M.R.E.’s. This is the fourth site set up by Lafourche Parish today including these sites:

• Thibodaux High School football stadium parking lot (on Tiger Drive in Thibodaux)
• Raceland Recreation Center (241 Recreation Drive in Raceland)
• Galliano Wal-Mart (on Hwy 3235 in Galliano)

As of 2:30 P.M., the Thibodaux site had ice, water and blue tarps with M.R.E.’s on the way. The Raceland site had M.R.E.’s and ice left. The Galliano site had M.R.E.’s, ice and blue tarps. Lafourche Parish OEP is directing supply trucks as they arrive to evenly distribute supplies and try to keep these sites as stocked as possible.

For further information please contact Brennan Matherne at (985) 537-7603.

Menu Express Restaurant Delivery service open

Menu Express Restaurant Delivery service is open for business on the Northshore. We will bring freshly cooked meals to your home or office. Please help us spread the word.

Call 985-875-7700 or order online at www.menuexpressdelivery.com.

Businesses that have reopened in St. Bernard Parish

-Chevron in Arabi at the corner of Perrin and Judge Perez. This is the store only no gas.

-Murphy Gas Station in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Judge Perez

-Home Depot on Judge Perez

-Main's Chalmette Market

-Walgreen's at the corner of Judge Perez and Paris Road

-Waffle House on Paris Road

-Hoffer's Discount Store at the intersection of Paris Road and Judge Perez. Hoffer's is not selling gas at this time.

There are also 3 gas stations open on Crowder Blvd. in New Orleans East.

JEDCO opens temporary emergency center to continue serving Jefferson Parish businesses during Gustav recovery

(Sept. 4, 2008 – Metairie, LA) – To continue to meet the needs of business owners in Jefferson Parish following Hurricane Gustav, the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) has opened a temporary emergency center.

The JEDCO temporary remote location is at the Marriott Lakeside, 3838 N. Causeway, Metairie. Prominent signage in the lobby will direct Jefferson Parish businesses to the temporary facility inside the hotel.

Although the regular JEDCO offices are closed due to power outage, the phone number remains the same: 504-833-1881. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice.

All regular services for businesses are available, in addition to services specifically initiated to help businesses as they recover from Hurricane Gustav circumstances.

“We have been assisting businesses on a continual basis throughout this emergency – for everything from evacuation to re-entry placarding – and now, to re-opening,” said Executive Director Lucien Gunter. “We are committed to being the voice of the business community in helping Jefferson Parish get back in operation.”

Among the continuing, normal services that will be handled by JEDCO at the temporary location are financing and site selection. In light of the special needs during the Gustav recovery period, JEDCO will also be the clearing house for up-to-date business information, filling an important need of business owners. The organization will also help by coordinating and advocating for resolution of the concerns and needs of the business community in the parish.

In addition, JEDCO will conduct business site assessments, in order to proactively identify any Jefferson Parish businesses needing assistance, Gunter said.

DOTD reminds citizens of 511 Traveler Information System

BATON ROUGE -- As citizens return to their homes in Louisiana, the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) reminds residents they can get the latest updates on road conditions by using the 511 Traveler Information System.

Travelers can access up-to-date information about weather-related road conditions, construction activities and other critical incidents by dialing 511 from their telephone. The voice-activated 511 Traveler Information System is available to most wireless and landline telephone users. Drivers calling from outside of the state can access Louisiana's 511 Traveler Information Service by calling 888-ROAD-511 (888-762-3511). Travelers can also access this information by visiting the 511 Traveler Information System Web site at www.511la.org.

DOTD keeps the system's construction and weather-related information updated as reports come in from local agencies, parishes and law enforcement officials.

St. Bernard Parish Government employees

All St. Bernard Parish Government employees must report to work by 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 8, 2008. If you have a special problem with returning to work, you MUST call your supervisor by 4:30 p.m. today, Thursday, Sept. 4.

All First Responders Invited to Chevys on Veterans for Free Lunch and Dinner

Greater New Orleans, LA – September 4, 2008 - Chevys Fresh Mex restaurant in Metairie, Louisiana will serve our metro area's First Responders complimentary lunch and dinner from 12 noon to 6 PM today, Thursday, September 4, located at 3330 Veterans Blvd. across from Lakeside Mall.

“This is just a small token of our appreciation to the outstanding efforts of these men and women who lead the city and state through an incredibly smooth Hurricane Gustav operation,” said Chevys President Elie Khoury.

Chevys will be open to the general public tomorrow – Friday, September 5 for lunch and dinner.

House of Blues New Orleans to reopen Saturday

House of Blues New Orleans will reopen following Hurricane Gustav on Saturday, September 6. House of Blues presents Sustenance CD Release Party with special guests Destined to Fall plus Centerpunch also plus Light Up District at 9pm. An evening of rocking good times and air conditioning!

House of Blues Box Office will open on September 6 at 1pm. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations or call HOB Box Office at (504) 310-4999.

For more information, please call House of Blues at (504) 310-4999 or email Mark Roberts at MRoberts@hob.com.

Returning Evacuee Call 2-1-1 Statewide

What is 2-1-1? 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community during crisis or any time. 2-1-1 responds immediately and directs callers to services most appropriate for their needs.

For example, 2-1-1 can offer access to:

Coordinated Disaster Information

Food, Clothing

Shelters

Special Needs Housing

Volunteer Management

Evacuation Routes

Transportation Assistance

Crisis Counseling

Prescription Assistance

Missing Persons

Post Disaster Child Care

Rebuilding Assistance

And much more

How Does 2-1-1 Work in Louisiana? Call 2-1-1 from any landline and cellular phone in Louisiana. Staffed 24/7 with trained specialists to guide you to vital resources. Provides multilingual services and information for the hearing impaired. Maintains a computerized database of over 15,000 resources and services statewide. It is the largest comprehensive Information and Referral system in Louisiana, serving 64 parishes.

Parish Sets Up 3 Distribution Sites in Lafourche

Lafourche Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness has announced the opening of three distribution sites for parish residents. Those sites are as follows:

• Thibodaux High School football stadium parking lot (on Tiger Drive in Thibodaux)
• Raceland Recreation Center (241 Recreation Drive in Raceland)
• Galliano Wal-Mart (on Hwy 3235 in Galliano)

As of noon, the Thibodaux High School site had ice ONLY. The Raceland Recreation Center has M.R.E.’s, Ice and blue tarps. The Galliano Wal-Mart had ice ONLY, but blue tarps would be arriving shortly.

For further information please contact Brennan Matherne at (985) 537-7603.

WHITNEY BANK OFFICES IN NEW ORLEANS REGION OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The following Whitney National Bank offices in and around the New Orleans area are open for business:

Main Office at 228 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans’ CBD opens at Noon on 9/4/08
New Orleans Area ( 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.):
Carrollton Branch at 1324 S. Carrollton Avenue in New Orleans (Drive up only)
Harahan Branch at 6318 Jefferson Highway in Harahan (Drive up only)
Veterans Branch at 4845 Veterans Hwy. in Metairie (Drive up only)
Lakeside Branch at 3060 N. Causeway Blvd. in Metairie (Drive up only)
Gretna Branch at 2100 Belle Chasse Hwy. (Drive up only)
Kenner Branch at 1922 Williams Blvd. in Kenner (Drive up only)

Northshore Locations (normal business hours):
Mandeville Branch at 3201 Highway 190 in Mandeville
Highway 190 Branch -- 2201 N. Highway 190 in Covington
Covington Branch -- 103 East 21st Avenue in Covington
East Gause Branch -- 1936 East Gause Boulevard in Slidell
Slidell Branch at 1338 Gause Boulevard in Slidell

Tangipahoa Parish Update: Tarps, Schools, Boil Water Advisory & more

1. Tangipahoa Parish will begin distributing “Blue Tarps” as soon as they are made available by the state.

Tangipahoa Parish Rural residents should contact the parish at 985 748 3211

Municipal residents should call:

Amite 985 748 8761

Hammond 985 277 5678

Independence 985 878 4145

Kentwood 985 229 3451

Ponchatoula 985 386 6484

Roseland 985 748 9063

Tangipahoa 985 229 8300

Tickfaw 985 542 9249 or 985 345 4677

Tarps will be distributed only to those residents with need as a result of storm damage.

2. Parish wide curfew is CANCELLED.

3. Parish Government offices will reopen on Monday September 8th .

4. Tangipahoa Parish School Superintendent Mark Kolwe announced Wednesday that all Tangipahoa Parish public schools will resume classes Monday, Sept. 8.

5. A precautionary boil advisory remains in effect in Tangipahoa Parish

EXCEPT FOR:

Westview Water Works

Eastern Heights

City of Amite

Episcopal Center

Florida Parish Detention

City of Hammond

Tangipahoa Water District (except for Manchac)

Joey’s Oyster House #2

French Settlement Water Works - Velma

French Settlement Water Works- Bankston

Town of Kentwood

City of Ponchatoula

Town of Roseland

Rosaryville

Village of Tickfaw

Hammond Heights

Yogi Bear

Colonial Inn

Garbage Drop-off Site in Gretna Closed

The garage drop off site at Wall Boulevard in Gretna is closed under further notice. Citizens may use the nearby garbage drop of site at 6250 Lapalco Boulevard in Marrero.

DEQ says fish and vegetation may be affected by Gustav

BATON ROUGE -- The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality expects to see scattered fish kills across Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. Most of these fish kills will be associated with low dissolved oxygen in the water. Low dissolved oxygen results from the organic matter washed into the streams, lakes and bays from storm debris and runoff. As the organic matter in the water is assimilated the oxygen levels will return to levels that will support aquatic life.

In addition, the storm surge has pushed salt water further inland than normally found. This is anticipated to impact the aquatic vegetation that is intolerant to a salty environment. These conditions are expected to stabilize and diminish fairly rapidly.

A similar fish kill and vegetation disturbance effect was seen following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

DEQ will be conducting aerial and ground reconnaissance, and will be documenting and reporting these conditions.

Open Winn-Dixie Stores in New Orleans and Baton Rouge Areas

The following Winn-Dixie stores are open under full power (selling all items including dairy, meats and fresh produce):

NEW ORLEANS AREA

Store # Street Address City

1353 851 Brownswitch Road Slidell

1404 8601 Jefferson Highway River Ridge

1411 5901 Airline Highway Metairie

1412 2104 Williams Blvd. Kenner

1426 3008 Holiday Drive New Orleans

1431 1070 Westbank Expressway Westwego

1440 4627 WS Expressway Marrero

1446 619 N. Causeway Blvd. Mandeville

1448 1001 U.S. 190 Covington

1449 804 W. Oak St. Amite

1452 400 Georgia Ave. Bogalusa

1463 1803 Louisiana Highway 3125 Gramercy

1477 1701 Sycamore Road Picayune, Miss.

1483 801 U.S. 11 S. Picayune, Miss.

1501 731 Washington St. Franklinton

1502 2985 Gause Blvd. Slidell

1504 3030 Ponchartrain Drive Slidell

1537 2302 W. Thomas St. Hammond

1540 145 Berryland Shopping Center Ponchatoula

1583 1830 W. Airline Highway Laplace

1588 12519 Airline Highway Destrehan

BATON ROUGE AREA (all stores have reopened)

Store # Street Address City

1453 6800 Greenwell Springs Baton Rouge

1454 5555 Burbank Drive Baton Rouge

1461 8601 Siegen Lane Baton Rouge

1467 13555 Old Hammond Highway Baton Rouge

1559 204 Northwest Blvd. Franklin

1572 420 Hospital Rd. New Roads

1576 10974 Joor Rd. Baton Rouge

1577 13002 Coursey Blvd. Baton Rouge

1581 5005 Church St. Zachary

1590 17682 Airline Highway Prairieville

1591 28145 Walker S. Road Walker

Business open in St Tammany Parish

GROCERY STORES

Covington—

Acquistapace’s

125 E. 21st (7am-10pm)

Rouse’s

Claiborne Hill (7am-10pm)

50 Park Place (7am-5pm)

Wal-Mart

880 N. Hwy 190 (8am-4pm)

Folsom—

Main’s Market

82205 Hwy 25 7am-9pm

Lacombe—

Lishman’s

Hwy 190 (8am-9pm)

Madisonville—

Piggly Wiggly

207 Covington St. (7am-9pm)

Mandeville—

Rouse’s

4350 Hwy 22 (7am-8pm)

Saia’s

2225 Florida St. (8am-8pm)

Winn Dixie

619 N. Causeway (10am-6pm)

Fresh Market

1880 N. Causeway (11am-6pm)

Slidell—

Winn Dixie

851 Brownswitch (7am-7pm)

3030 Pontchartrain (8am-8pm)

2985 Gause (6am-10pm)

Lishman’s

39522 Hwy 190E (8am-9pm)

Sav A Lot

192 Gause W. (9am-7pm)

Wal-Mart

167 Northshore Blvd. (8am-5pm)

39142 Natchez (opening Monday 9/8)

PHARMACIES

Walgreens:

Covington—

1203 Business 190 (8am-5pm)

73626 Highway 25 (8am-5pm)

71041 Highway 21 (8am-7pm)

Mandeville—

4330 Highway 22 (8am-6pm)

2880 Highway 190 (7am-7pm)

2050 Florida Street (8am-6pm)

Slidell—

1260 Front St (open 24 hours)

4142 Pontchartrain Drive (8am-5pm)

100 N Military Rd (8am-5pm)

CVS:

Covington—

627 West 21st Avenue (7am-6pm)

Mandeville—

2915 Highway 190 (open 24 hours)

Slidell—

1305 Gause (8am-8pm)

BANKS:

Whitney National Bank (**Normal Hours)

(ALL St. Tammany branches are open w/ regular hours effective today)

RESTAURANTS:

Slidell –

The Wine Market

Baskin Robbins, Slidell
Copeland’s on Gause (2pm-10pm)

Carreta’s Grill on Lindbergh Dr.

Outback Steakhouse, E. I-10 Svc Road

Eddie D’s Restaurant & Catering, Hwy 190 East

GAS STATIONS:

Covington—

Confirmed:

9736 Circle K

9735 Circle K

Estates Shell, I-12 and LA 21

Claiborne Hill 1001 N Hwy 190 Business

Tyler Shell 1001 S Tyler

Main Street 2701 Collins Blvd

Reported:

Shell, Hwy. 190 near Claiborne Hill

Race Trac, Hwy 190 & I-12

Exxon, I-12 & Hwy. 190

Gas & Go Deli, 20260 HWY 36

Mandeville—

Confirmed: Jemworks 3 500 N Causeway

59 Shell I 12 and Hwy 59

Reported:

Texaco on 59

Slidell—

Confirmed:

Murphy Oil

Sam's

2301 Gause

1610 Gause

853 Gause

3296 Pontchartrain

1833 Old Spanish Trail

183 Northshore

750 Brownswitch

Reported:

Sam's Club #6220, 181 Northshore Blvd

Speedy G 1, 1703 West Gause

Exxon, Old Spanish Trail

Exxon, Hwy. 11

Julilee Express, 1418 Gause Blvd

Points of Distribution by Parish

Today, points of distribution (POD) locations were released. The PODs will offer ice, water, food, and tarps.

ACADIA

Rayne Fire Department.316 S. Adams Ave, Ryane, LA

ASCENSION

Lamar Dixon Center 9039 St. Landry Rd Gonzales, LA

ASSUMPTION

Lucky Hit Shopping Ctr 260 Highway 70 Spur
Plattenville, LA 70393

AVOYELLES

City Hall 312 N. Main St., Marksville, LA

E. BATON ROUGE

Walmart 14507 Plank Road, Baker, LA 70717

E. BATON ROUGE

Walmart 10606 N. Mall Drive, Baton Rouge, LA

EVANGELINE

Stage Dept. Store 627 West Lincoln Rd, Ville Platte, LA

IBERIA

City Hall 1010 Main St., Jeanerette, LA City hall

IBERIA

Winn-Dixie 1104 E Main St
New Iberia, LA 70560

IBERVILLE

Iberville Parish Multi-Purpose Ctr. 61755 Bayou Rd. Plaquemine

JEFFERSON

Alerio Center, 2000 Segnetto Blvd, Westwego, LA

LAFAYETTE

Blackham Coliseum 2330 Johnston St
Lafayette, LA 70503

LAFOURCHE

Rec Center 242 Recreation Drive, Raceland, LA

LIVINGSTON

Continental Kennel Club 28900 S. Frost Rd, Livingston, La

POINTE COUPEE

Old Poydras Gymnasium 500 W Main St New Roads, LA

ST CHARLES

West Bridge Park 13825 River Rd Luling, LA

ST HELENA

St. Helena Middle School 1590 Highway 1042 Greensburg 70441

ST LANDRY

Donald Gardner Stadium 1524 South Market St Opelousas, la

UPPER ST MARTAIN

Butte Larose Fire Department 1721 Herman Dupuis Rd
Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 (Butte La Rose)

LOWER ST MARTAIN

Stephensville Fire Department 1227 Stephensville rd Morgan City, LA

ST MARY

Municipal Auditorium - 725 Myrtle Rd - Morgan City 70380

ST MARY

Patterson High School 2525 Highway 182 W
Patterson, LA 70392

TERREBONNE

Civic Center 346 Civic Center Dr. - Houma, LA

Clearview Mall Openings

The follows stores at Clearview Mall will open at 10:00a.m. today:
Bed Bath & Beyond
Dollar Tree
Wow Cafe & Wingery
Opening at Noon today:
AT&T Cellphone store
PJ's Coffee of New Orleans

Opening Friday, Sept. 5:
Target
Social Security Administration

Please call me at 504/289-4377 with any questions.

Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank

The following branches of Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank are currently open for business today. Additionally, Fidelity will carry out extended hours on Saturday at all open locations from 9 am – 4 pm.

Algiers – 3511 General DeGaulle

Baton Rouge – 5643 Corporate Boulevard

Covington – 2300 Highway 190 North

Gretna – 1888 Belle Chasse Highway

Hammond – 500 CM Fagan & 14455 University Avenue

Kenner – 3720 Williams Boulevard

Main – 321 St. Charles Avenue

Mandeville – 2550 Florida Street

Ponchatoula – 1639 Highway 51 North

River Ridge – 9099 Jefferson Highway

Slidell – 1901 Gause Boulevard

Uptown – 1201 South Carrollton Avenue

Veterans – 3829 Veterans Boulevard

Fidelity Homestead’s New Orleans East, Veterans Drive-Thru and Lakeview branches will reopen promptly as staff and conditions are feasible. Visit www.fidelityhomestead.com or call 1-800-220-2497 for further updates.

Freret Hardware Open

5109 Freret St (between Jefferson and Napoleon)
504-899-0351
Our regular hours are M-F 0800-1630
Sat 0900-1630

Capital One Bank Announces Additional Banking Location Re-Openings

New Orleans (September 4, 2008) -- Capital One Bank today announced the reopening of 35 additional locations that that had been closed because of Hurricane Gustav. They include:

In the Greater New Orleans Region:

Airline in Metairie
Causeway in Metairie
Elmwood
Gretna
Westwego
West Esplanade in Metairie
French Quarter
Boutte (opening at 10 a.m.)
Luling (opening at 10 a.m.)
Northside in Gonzales
Highway 59 in Mandeville
Military Road in Slidell
Boston Street in Folsom
Folsom
Highway 21 in Covington (opening at noon)
Gause in Slidell
Pearl River

In the South Central Louisiana Region:

Industriplex in Baton Rouge
Burnside in Gonzales
College Drive in Baton Rouge
Tom Drive in Baton Rouge
Bluebonnet in Baton Rouge
Pierre Part (8 a.m.-noon, lobby only)
Napoleonville (8 a.m.-noon, lobby only)
Lafourche Plaza in Thibodaux(noon-4 p.m., drive-up only)
Rienzi in Thibodaux (noon-4 p.m., lobby only)

Additional branches in all regions are expected to reopen soon.

Here’s a recap of previously announced Capital One Bank location reopenings in areas impacted by Hurricane Gustav:

Greater New Orleans Region:

Franklinton
Columbia Street in Bogalusa
Highway 190.

South-Central Louisiana:

Range Avenue in Denham Springs
Plantation in Denham Springs
Livingston
Walker
O’Neal in Baton Rouge
Delmont in Baton Rouge.

Disaster Assistance information, courtesy of James Carter, New Orleans Councilmember, District C

DISASTER ASSISTANCE: The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that President Bush has declared the following parishes eligible for federal disaster aid: Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Sabine, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St.Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Vernon, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana.

How to Apply for Assistance:

Residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.

The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.

Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:

Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)

Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)

Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)

Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)

Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $1.5 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)

Loans up to $1.5 million for small businesses that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $1.5 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)

Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)

Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans benefits and social security matters.

Those of you who evacuated and have incurred expenses as a result, should keep all receipts for reimbursement by FEMA.

FEMA

http://www.fema.gov

1-800-621-FEMA

1-800-462-7585 (hearing and speech impaired)

Louisiana Department of State Civil Service Testing Center Damaged, Testing Canceled

BATON ROUGE -- The Baton Rouge Testing and Information Office in the Agriculture and Forestry Building on Florida Blvd. has sustained severe water damage from Hurricane Gustav. The office is closed until further notice.

There will be no Civil Service state testing for at least the next week. Please monitor the Department of State Civil Service Web site at civilservice.la.gov for future testing details.

For the latest information on Hurricane Gustav, you can visit emergency.louisiana.gov or call the state's emergency hotline at 1-866-288-2484 to listen to a recorded message with the most up-to-date information.

St. James Parish ice distribution points

The St. James Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness along with the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office is announcing that ice distribution points are at the Grand Point Grand in Grand Point for the East Bank. The location for the West Bank has changed to the West Bank Reception Hall in Vacherie. There will be only one bag per adult, on a first come first serve basis. Lutcher High School will open as a shelter today at 12:00 noon for residents needing shelter. The collection sites in Gramercy and Vacherie will open today until collection bins are filled. A curfew is in effect from 6:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m. until further notice. An alcohol ban is also currently in effect.

Minnie's Catfish Corner Open

Minnie's Catfish Corner will be open all week at it's regular time @ 11AM. We have an abbreviated menu which includes the best catfish in New Orleans! We hope that you return to New Orleans safely and hope that your property and love ones are well. We will conitnue to provide you with the best service as possible in these difficult times

Thanks

3735 Ulloa St, on the corner of Tulane Ave. and S. Cortez

The following McDonald's restaurants are open

Slidell - 1625 Gause Blvd
Slidell - Highway 11
Waveland, MS
Picayune, MS - Hwy 11 & 43 N
Franklinton, LA - 702 Washington Street

THE ST. BERNARD PARISH PRESIDENT AND THE FIRE CHIEF OF ST. BERNARD PARISH GIVE A JOINT UPDATE

President Taffaro and Chief Stone address the residents of St. Bernard Parish in a 10pm update.

When asked what is the biggest issue for St. Bernard Parish right now, President Taffaro stated, that it is “the lack of power. With that, everything else will fall into place.”

Entergy has announced that they have over 100 crews in St. Bernard Parish right now. They are assessing the damage and drawing up a plan to be efficient and safe for the residents of St. Bernard Parish.

A spokesperson for Entergy has told President Taffaro that they will give him a timeline for the work to be done in order to reconnect the residents of St. Bernard parish.

Garbage pickup will resume on Thursday. The schedule that was in place before the evacuation, will be followed again starting tomorrow.

Debris pick up will be on Monday. Please try to pick up any storm related debris before the pickup day. Please try to clean out catch basins on or near your property to ensure the maximum amount of drainage for rain water.

Sewer vacuum and hailing trucks have begun servicing sewer lift stations until the power is turned on. Lift stations have been prepared for power and generated powered lift stations are scheduled to be turned on Thursday.

Water continues to be safe. We have lowered water pressure at the present time in order to address a generator problem at the water plant.

Sheriff Jack Stephens has modified the curfew to dusk to dawn, and will have all businesses close during evening hours. The sheriff’s office is also encouraging caution on the streets. The lack of power has prevented any streetlights from working at this time. Residents may enter the parish at any time, but are directed to proceed to their residence immediately.

Doris Voitier, School Superintendent plans to reopen schools on Monday, again depending on Entergy’s progress.

Chief Stone addressed the issue of generators and candle usage during the power outage.

Carbon Dioxide is a huge threat when using a generator, stated Chief Stone. A generator should never be used in a building our any area that is not well ventilated. The caution should be extended when choosing which site to place a generator also. Please do not allow the generator or the cables to be in, or run through any puddles. Also, larger generators pose a risk of backfeeding. The downed lines in the area could be affected by backfeeding, which would make the lines “charged”, and very dangerous.

FEMA is now offering individual assistance to those residents that either call 1-800-621-3362 (1-800-621-FEMA) or go to the FEMA website which is fema.gov.

The Salvation Offering Meals, Hydration and Spiritual Support Across South Louisiana

New Orleans, La. (September 3, 2008) – The Salvation Army has begun serving hot meals, snacks, and cold water to residents in Orleans, Jefferson, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St, Mary, and St. Martin Parishes. Over 8,000 meals were served to residents of New Orleans and south Louisiana on Wednesday by The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army currently has 14 Mobile feeding units serving meals in New Orleans, La. and areas south. The following is a list of the mobile feeding sites and their current locations. This list is subject to change. Disaster Relief information may also be found on the internet at www.SalvationArmyNOLA.org.

If you have any questions, please call Mark Jones at (404) 397-5106 or (601) 214-1545.

CANTEEN DISPOSITIONS FOR 09-4-08

New Orleans, Louisiana
Canteen: Location: Services:
Superdome Lunch, Dinner, Water, Prayer

Charleston, WVa. Convention Center Lunch, Dinner, Water, Prayer

Princeton, WVa. Lakeside Shop. Ctr. Lunch, Dinner, Water, Prayer
Causeway and Veterans

Beckley, WVa Williams Blvd North of I-10 Lunch, Dinner, Water, Prayer
(TJ Maxx Shopping Center)

Annapolis, Mary. Williams Blvd North of I-10 Lunch, Dinner, Water, Prayer
(TJ Maxx Shopping Center)

New Orleans, La St. Bernard Parish Lunch, Dinner, Water, Prayer
Judge Perez@Paris

Birmingham, Ala Palmer Park Hydration: Water, Cold Drinks
Carollton@Claiborne

Selma, Ala Warren Easton High Hydration: Water, Cold Drinks
3019 Canal Street

Mobile, Ala O. Perry Walker High Sch. Hydration: Water, Cold Drinks
2832 General Meyer

Gadsden, Ala Municipal Auditorium Hydration: Water, Cold Drinks
801 N. Rampart

New Orleans DRU Gentilly Mall Hydration: Water, Cold Drinks
(FedEx) Chef Menteur& Press Drive

Canteens are also available in Baton Rouge, Houma, Morgan City, Franklin, and Grand Isle.

FULL LAFOURCHE PARISH UPDATE

Here is a summary of the latest and most important information in Lafourche Parish:

RE-ENTRY INFO: Lafourche Parish residents are being allowed back into the Parish. A parish-wide curfew is NOW in effect from 8:00 P.M. until 6:00 A.M. each day until further notice. Residents returning to Lafourche are encouraged to bring supplies with them and to be as self-sufficient as possible upon return. We have limited resources for residents expecting to stay in the Parish. When traveling along roadways, please remember to treat every non-functioning traffic light as a four-way stop. Also, watch for leaning or downed utility poles, hanging power lines and tree limbs. Distribution points are scheduled to be set up again Thursday to hand out water, ice and M.R.E.’s. We will be receiving shipments of blue tarps in the coming days, but we do not have an estimated time of arrival.

SHELTER INFO: Lafourche Parish has opened two shelters as Refuges of Last Resort for residents who are coming back to find their homes uninhabitable and have no where else to go. Those two site locations are the Larose Civic Center and Thibodaux High School. The American Red Cross is in the area and is assisting at our shelters. Anyone needing information on shelters open outside of Lafourche Parish should call 1-800-RED-CROSS (or 1-800-733-2767).

ELECTRICITY: Power is still out throughout all of Lafourche Parish. Entergy is working to restore power as quickly as possible with crews from all over the country. Entergy officials estimate that some areas of the parish could have power restored very shortly, but others could take as long as 4 to 6 weeks.

WATER/GAS: Lafourche Parish Water District #1 is still advising residents to boil their water for one full minute before use only as a precaution. South Coast Gas, which provides natural gas services to many Lafourche residents, is reporting that there are NO problems with their service.

PHONE SERVICE: Latelco customers do not have telephone service at this time, but technicians are working to bring up telephone services as soon as possible. In the AT&T service area, if you are without your individual telephone service, you should call 1-800-861-0499. Wireless phone reception seems to now be working on most providers’ networks.

(more)
911 SERVICE: 911 Service is operational in the areas that have telephone service. In the Latelco service area, 911 calls can only be made from a wireless phone. All 911 calls made from a telephone in the Latelco area are being rerouted to Lafourche Parish Fire Protection District #3. PLEASE DO NOT DIAL 911 FOR NON-EMERGENCY CALLS.

DEBRIS: Laforuche Parish Government is asking residents to keep trash and debris separated as much as possible. Furthermore, debris should be placed at the curb, divided into separate piles including: metal; clean wood and tree debris; white goods/household appliances; batteries, chemicals and other potentially hazardous items. Loose debris should be boxed, bundled and containerized as much as possible. Please keep debris out of roadside ditches to avoid blocking drainage. DO NOT BURN DEBRIS PILES. There is a Burn Ban in Lafourche Parish until further notice.

FEMA ASSISTANCE: Any resident seeking information about financial assistance from FEMA due to evacuations or damages that have made your home uninhabitable, please call the FEMA Hotline at
1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362).

For all other questions, please contact the Lafourche Parish Emergency Operations Center at (985) 537-7603 or toll free at 1-800-794-3160.

Department of Social Services: Online Database Enhances Operation Reconnect

BATON ROUGE --The Louisiana Department of Social Services (DSS) today introduced an online database to help friends and family locate loved ones with critical transportation needs who were electronically registered, evacuated and sheltered in advance of Hurricane Gustav.

As part of the Operation Reconnect hot line launched Tuesday, Sept. 2, the Internet-based locator is available at the following Web address: http://operationreconnect.dss.state.la.us/PersonLocator.

DSS Undersecretary Eddie Ashworth said, "By entering the name of an evacuated citizen, the online index will immediately display a list of individuals with that name who are registered at our in-state shelters."

Ashworth noted that only individuals who were evacuated via state-assisted transportation will show up as registered in the evacuee-tracking system.

The Operation Reconnect hot line number is 1-800-957-1601. Family members who call the hot line will be asked to provide the name of their loved one and operators will search the DSS database of evacuees, as well as the Red Cross Safe and Well list, which includes in-state and out-of-state evacuees who registered with Safe and Well.

Ashworth noted the Red Cross list will include only those shelter residents who allow their names to be released. Callers trying to find loved ones with critical medical needs will be directed to the Red Cross for assistance.

"DSS will keep a record of every call and will work until all families are reunited," Ashworth said.

Residents who evacuated in advance of Hurricane Gustav currently are in shelters in Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

For the latest on Hurricane Gustav, you can visit emergency.louisiana.gov or call the state's emergency hotline at 1-866-288-2484 to listen to a recorded message with the most up-to-date information.

Lafourche Parish 911 Service Details

911 Service is operational in the areas that have telephone service both landline and wireless.

In the Latelco service area, where central offices are isolated, 911 can only receive calls from wireless phones.

For residents in the Latelco telephone service, area if they dial 911 from their landline phone these calls have been re-routed to Lafourche Parish Fire Protection District # 3.

For residents in these areas as well as residents calling from wireless phones please be able to give exact location information and call back numbers to the dispatchers.

PLEASE DO NOT DIAL 911 FOR NON EMERGENCY CALLS, FOR NON EMERGENCY CALLS PLEASE LOOK IN YOUR TELEPHONE DIRECTORY FOR NON EMERGENCY NUMBERS FOR POLICE, FIRE AND AMBULANCE SERVICE PROVIDERS IN YOUR AREA. 911 SHOULD BE USED FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY WHEN LIFE OR PROPERTY IS ENDANGER.

Latelco is working to bring up telephone services as soon as possible.

Update on Water Systems under Boil Advisory

BATON ROUGE --Hurricane Gustav has caused widespread power outages and damage to drinking water systems throughout Louisiana. Parish-wide boil advisories are in effect for the following parishes:

Lafourche
St. James
Terrebonne

If you live in an area under boil advisory or you have lost water pressure at your tap, or if the water pressure is extremely low, State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry, MD, recommends that homeowners disinfect their water by any one of the following methods prior to consumption (including drinking, cooking, brushing teeth or preparing food):

Boil water for one full minute in a clean container. The one minute boil time begins after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a bottle or pouring it from one container to another.)

If the water is clear, mix 1/8 teaspoon of unscented, liquid chlorine laundry bleach with one gallon of water and let it stand for at least 30 minutes prior to consumption. If the water is cloudy or colored, use 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water. Be sure to mix thoroughly. If the treated water has too strong a chlorine taste, it can be made more palatable by allowing the water to stand exposed to the air for a few hours or by pouring it from one clean container to another several times.

Boiling is the most effective method of disinfection of water, particularly for people who are severely immunocompromised (infected with HIV/AIDS, cancer and transplant patients taking immunosuppressive drugs, or people born with a weakened immune system) and for infants and elderly who wish to take extra precautions.

People obtaining water from a public water system under a boil advisory (a system providing water to 15 homes and businesses or more) must continue to disinfect their drinking water by one of the above listed methods until a public notice is issued by the Department of Health and Hospitals that the water has been tested and is safe to drink. It may take as long as two or three weeks before a water system is declared safe.

People who have been affected by loss of water service may expect some irregularities with their water while efforts are being made to ensure that the water is safe. It is expected that water may have an unusual chlorine odor as well as possible sediments appearing in the water while these special precautions are taking place. Flushing household taps for a few minutes should fix this problem.

Contact: OPH Safe Drinking Water Program, 225-342-7499.

All state government offices closed Thursday

BATON ROUGE -- Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis has announced the closure of all state government offices on Thursday, September 4, 2008, due to Hurricane Gustav.
Essential personnel, including employees that are required to work due to Hurricane Gustav, should report to work as directed by their supervisors.
All agency heads are responsible for determining those essential personnel who should remain on duty.
If additional closures are to be announced, updates will be issued periodically. State employees should monitor media regarding office closures as well as announcements of when offices are scheduled to reopen. Those announcements will be made by the Commissioner of Administration. In addition, employees should be aware of the 800 number and the local phone number, which will be updated with information regarding office closures. The numbers to call: 1-800-360-9660 or 225-342-0498.

Entergy Outages by Parish

ACADIA (LA) 3621

ALLEN (LA) 0

ASCENSION (LA) 33443

ASSUMPTION (LA) 10406

AVOYELLES (LA) 1670

BEAUREGARD (LA) 0

BIENVILLE (LA) 596

BOSSIER (LA) 0

CALCASIEU (LA) 86

CALDWELL (LA) 1121

CAMERON (LA) 0

CATAHOULA (LA) 0

CLAIBORNE (LA) 113

CONCORDIA (LA) 1350

E. BATON ROUGE (LA) 146185

E. CARROLL (LA) 4

E. FELICIANA (LA) 4358

FRANKLIN (LA) 468

GRANT (LA) 663

IBERIA (LA) 4777

IBERVILLE (LA) 8067

JACKSON (LA) 3115

JEFFERSON (LA) 100373

JEFFERSON DAVIS (LA) 506

LA SALLE (LA) 5487

LAFAYETTE (LA) 6016

LAFOURCHE (LA) 40517

LINCOLN (LA) 184

LIVINGSTON (LA) 16723

MADISON (LA) 1

MOREHOUSE (LA) 1508

NATCHITOCHES (LA) 109

ORLEANS (LA) 87258

OUACHITA (LA) 6103

PLAQUEMINES (LA) 6083

POINTE COUPEE (LA) 4822

RED RIVER (LA) 8

RICHLAND (LA) 82

SABINE (LA) 83

ST. BERNARD (LA) 13344

ST. CHARLES (LA) 11407

ST. HELENA (LA) 1490

ST. JAMES (LA) 9443

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST (LA) 19299

ST. LANDRY (LA) 8301

ST. MARTIN (LA) 3990

ST. TAMMANY (LA) 1753

TANGIPAHOA (LA) 40725

TENSAS (LA) 294

TERREBONNE (LA) 26226

UNION (LA) 227

VERMILION (LA) 3625

VERNON (LA) 0

W. BATON ROUGE (LA) 9864

W. CARROLL (LA) 7

W. FELICIANA (LA) 1680

WASHINGTON (LA) 1493

WEBSTER (LA) 454

WINN (LA) 2539

Education Officials Update Status of School Closures

BATON ROUGE -- 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.)

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 classes before Monday, September 8. In some cases, particularly where the eye of the storm passed along the Gulf Coast, it will likely be later than that date, and perhaps as much as two weeks before classes can resume. 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 tornadoes in the aftermath of the storm, school districts outside of its path may have to postpone classes beyond the projected re-opening date of Thursday, September 4.

Operations of almost all schools have been halted since Friday, August 29, when the state began bracing for Hurricane Gustav.

"As we anticipated, school districts in Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, Assumption and other parishes in the south are reporting severe power outages and notable damage to school buildings. 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," Pastorek said.

"Because of great planning and post storm collaboration, these local officials are bringing schools back remarkably quickly. 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 affected 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 tuned 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.

Louisiana to make initial assessments of levees and wetlands in the wake of Hurricane Gustav

Information for the following parishes/areas was reported:
Orleans: No levee damage reported
St. Bernard: No levee damage reported to the New Orleans Area Hurricane Protection System. Flooding was reported in towns outside of the levee system including Yskloskey, Shell Beach, Delacroix and Hopedale.
Plaquemines: Levee overtopping on the east bank of Plaquemines at Caernarvon near the towns of Scarsdale and White Ditch has been contained by parish and area levee officials and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The overtopping occurred Monday afternoon. An additional levee breach was discovered Tuesday south of the town of Myrtle Grove on the west side of the Mississip! pi River. It was reported that the flooding was isolated to open fields and farm land. Both levees are parish levees and were not constructed by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers.
Jefferson: Some minor street flooding was reported in the town of Lafitte. No damage to West Bank hurricane protection levees that are part of the New Orleans Area Hurricane Protection System. Damage to the beach levee on Grand Isle was reported. Sand washed from the beach on to La. Hwy. 1. Damage to camps and buildings was reported but it "did not appear as extensive as after Katrina."
Lafourche: No levee overtopping or breaches for the South Lafourche levee system were discovered. Parish levee officials will continue inspections until further notice.
Terrebonne: Some overtopping of parish levees and flooding was reported in Pointe Aux Chenes, Montegut, Dulac and Chauvin. The eye of Gustav made landfall at Cocodrie, the southernmost town in Terrebonne Parish, Monday. Paris! h officials will continue inspections until further notice.
More information on levee and coastal conditions will be available as it is obtained.
For the latest on Hurricane Gustav, you can visit emergency.louisiana.gov or call the state's emergency hotline at 1-866-288-2484 to listen to a recorded message with the most up-to-date information.

LOUSIANA SPCA DENOUNCES ALLEGED THEFT OF NEW ORLEANS ANIMALS BY UNAUHORIZED ANIMAL GROUPS THAT HAVE ENTERED THE CITY

NEW ORLEANS, LA (9/03/08) – The Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA) has learned that several animal groups have allegedly entered New Orleans without authority to go onto citizens’ properties to remove animals. “If this is occurring this is essentially theft of New Orleans’ animals,” says LA/SPCA director Ana Zorrilla. Only the LA/SPCA and groups authorized by the LA/SPCA are allowed to go into the city.

The LA/SPCA is the only organization authorized to be in Orleans Parish and is currently handling Animal Control in the same manner as prior to Hurricane Gustav. As of 9:00 a.m. today the LA/SPCA began ground rescue operations “ We have developed a structured response and are working in conjunction with New Orleans Office of Emergency Preparedness, and the New Orleans Police Department” said Zorrilla. Zorrilla said only groups working with and authorized by the LA/SPCA are allowed to participate in ground rescue operations.

“Any other animal group not working with the LA/SPCA and not authorized to enter the city and found taking any animals from residents’ homes and yards are stealing,” says Zorrilla.“

“The LA/SPCA will not allow any of our residents to have their pets stolen,” says Zorrilla. In months following Hurricane Katrina the LA/SPCA received countless reports of residents having their pets stolen after they had returned home. “We do not want our residents to go through this intrusion and essentially criminal activity from these unauthorized and overly zealous groups that have taken it upon themselves to remove residents' animals from the city.”

“Such actions are not helping local pet owners, but are causing them and their animals great emotional stress. Removal of an animal from its home or property is equal to stealing animals. We will not tolerate this activity from any organization that comes in our city without authority to do so,” said Zorrilla.

Zorrilla said groups could use their resources to help those areas that truly need them, and should do so through the system established by the Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) which functions under the auspices of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF).

Social Security Offices Closed in Louisiana on Thursday due to Hurricane Gustav

Lafourche Parish Curfew

Lafourche Parish has a parish-wide curfew in effect for 10 P.M. to 6 A.M. each day until further notice.

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.

Nighthawk Diner Open

The Nighthawk Diner (Food and Spirits) is open at the corner of Dauphine and Franklin in the Marigny

Pete Maravich Assembly Center is NOT a Distribution Point for Emergency Supplies

BATON ROUGE -- There is incorrect information circulating regarding points of distribution for emergency supplies in Baton Rouge leading some residents to the LSU Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC) looking for tarps, ice, water, and food. The PMAC is NOT a distribution center for emergency supplies, and is serving only as a Special Needs Shelter.

The National Guard Point of Distribution (POD) locations in Baton Rouge are as follows:

WAL-MART PARKING LOT 14507 PLANK ROAD BAKER, LA

WAL-MART 10606 NORTH MALL DRIVE BATON ROUGE, LA

For the latest on Hurricane Gustav, you can visit emergency.louisiana.gov or call the state's emergency hotline at 1-866-288-2484 to listen to a recorded message with the most up-to-date information.

Tangipahoa Parish Update

1 Tangipahoa Parish will begin distributing “Blue Tarps” as soon as they are made available by the state.

Tangipahoa Parish Rural residents should contact the parish at 985 748 3211

Municipal residents should call:

Amite 985 748 8761

Hammond 985 277 5678

Independence 985 878 4154

Kentwood 985 229 3451

Ponchatoula 985 386 6484

Roseland 985 748 9063

Tangipahoa 985 229 8300

Tickfaw 985 542 9249 or 985 345 4677

Tarps will be delivered by workers only to those residents with storm damage.

2 All Tangipahoa Parish Government Offices will remain closed except for:

The Tangipahoa Parish Judges Offices will be open with the following Divisions:

DIVISION “B” ---- CRIMINAL DUTY COURT BEGINNING AT 9:00 A.M.

DIVISION “C” ---- DRUG COURT BEGINNING AT 8:00 A.M.

DIVISION “H” ---- JURY TRIAL WILL RESUME AT 9:00 A.M.

3 A parish-wide curfew is in effect from 8pm to 6am.

4 The Tangipahoa Parish Landfill has re-opened. Waste Management has resumed normal operations for household garbage.

5 Tangipahoa Parish School Superintendent Mark Kolwe announced Wednesday that all Tangipahoa Parish public schools will resume classes Monday, Sept. 8.

6 As residents return to their homes, the following shelters have either closed or are in the process of closing: Amite High School, Hammond Westside, Hammond Jr. High, Kentwood High School, Natalbany Elementary, Nesom Middle School, and Sumner High School

7 A precautionary boil advisory remains in effect in Tangipahoa Parish

EXCEPT FOR:

Westview Water Works

Eastern Heights

City of Amite

Episcopal Center

Florida Parish Detention

City of Hammond

Tangipahoa Water District (except for Manchac)

Joey’s Oyster House #2

French Settlement Water Works - Velma

French Settlement Water Works- Bankston

Town of Kentwood

City of Ponchatoula

Town of Roseland

Rosaryville

Village of Tickfaw

Hammond Heights

Yogi Bear

Colonial Inn

Ice in St James Parish

The St. James Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness along with the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office is announcing that ice is available at Taylor’s Express in Gramercy, Grand Point Grand in Grand Point and The Jubilee in Vacherie. There will be only one bag per adult, on a first come first serve basis. A curfew is in effect from 6:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m. until further notice. An alcohol ban is also currently in effect. There is a limited amount of stores open with gasoline.

After Hurricane Gustav, local blood supply critically low

United Blood Services, the community blood provider for South Louisiana, is issuing an appeal to area blood donors. Hurricane Gustav forced over 32 blood drives to cancel --- projected to collect 900 or more pints of blood. As a result United Blood Services is facing a critical shortage on all blood types. The public is urged to donate to help replenish the blood supply for their community at this crucial time. You can donate at United Blood Services in Slidell located at 2395 East Gause Blvd. across from Ochsner Clinic starting Thursday, 10:00am-6:30pm. Donor center hours for hurricane recovery: Tuesday- Thursday 10am-6;30pm, United Blood Services will hold a special Community Blood Supply Replenishment Day on Thursday, 9/4 from 10:00 am – 6:30 pm at the donor center.

“All 28 parishes served by United Blood Services--- were affected by Hurricane Gustav,” said Amanda Landers, Donor Recruitment Director, of United Blood Services. “Our focus has now turned to replenishing our local blood supply. The drive cancellations have had tremendous affect on our local blood supply. With the public’s help, we will be able to meet the needs of local hospital patients.” United Blood Services is the blood provider for 62 south Louisiana hospitals covering 28 parishes.

Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 must have signed permission from a parent or guardian. Each donor receives a thorough pre-donation interview, including a careful review of medical history and a check of temperature, pulse, blood pressure and blood iron level. After the blood is collected, it is typed and tested. The blood is then made available to local hospital patients---all within three days of collection.

September 6 Congressional Primaries Postponed

From the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office: The Sept. 6th closed congressional primaries have been postponed. A makeup date will be announced in a few days.

FEMA ASSESSING KATRINA/RITA TEMPORARY HOUSING UNITS

BATON ROUGE -- 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 Louisiana Call Center 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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

Notice to LaFourche Parish Telephone company officials

The FCC is asking you to call Allan Manuel, 202 391 5331 and give a status update. Again LaFourche Parish Telephone company officials -- the FCC is asking you to call Allan Manuel, 202 391 5331 and give a status update.

Weekend activities for St. Tammany Parish Public Schools are canceled

St Tammany Parish Business Openings

We are getting reports that restaurants and our official business partners: Wal Mart, Winn Dixie, Rouse’s, area banks, Home Depot, and Walgreens are opening on both sides of St. Tammany Parish.

Also, Coastal Waste will begin picking up household waste in the city of Covington tomorrow, September 4, 2008. These pickups will be for household waste ONLY; no limbs or storm debris will be picked up.

Adullam Christian Fellowship to offer free meals in Arabi

Pastor Randy Millet of Adullam Christian Fellowship has announced he will offer free meals St. Bernard Parish residents at his church on St. Bernard Highway in Arabi.

Dinner will be served on Wednesday, Sept. 3 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Starting Thursday, Sept. 5, free meals will be served at the following times:

Breakfast: from 7 to 9 a.m.

Lunch: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dinner: 5 to 7 p.m.

Residents should come with St. Bernard Parish identification and come as close to 5 p.m. for dinner as possible because Sheriff Jack Stephens wants all residents off the roads by dark for curfew.

C & G Pharmacy in River Ridge is now open

C & G Pharmacy in River Ridge is now open and filling prescriptions. C&G Pharmacy 9311 Jefferson Hwy Store Hours: 9 AM to 4 PM

UPDATE: East Jefferson General Hospital

Metairie, LA - East Jefferson General Hospital 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.

The EJGH Wellness Center will open Thursday, September 4, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; on Saturday, September 6, regular operating h