[StBernard] UPDATE: TASK FORCE PELICAN]

[Westley Annis]

Press Releases


Date: 9/30/2005


Contact: Denise Bottcher or Roderick Hawkins at 225-342-9037


UPDATE: TASK FORCE PELICAN

Friday - September 30, 2005

Overview

.	This is Day 31 since Hurricane Katrina made landfall and Day 6 since Hurricane Rita made landfall.  

.	Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco will visit Hurricane damaged parts of Vermillion and Iberia parishes and will attend a Hurricane Katrina memorial mass in New Orleans. 
o	Media availability will follow each stop.  
o	Pool coverage will be made available through WAFB Television.

o	9:30 am- Visit to Erath, LA to view flooding and meet with local officials
	Erath City Hall, 115 W Edward Street

o	10:45 am- Visit to Delcambre, LA to view flooding and meet with Mayor Carol Broussard and other local officials.
	Delcambre City Hall , 107 N Railroad Street 

o	1:00 pm- Governor Blanco will attend a Memorial Mass and Tribute Ceremony honoring the victims and survivors of Hurricane Katrina 
	Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Loyola University
	6363 St. Charles Avenue

.	State Housing Update
o	Louisiana provides an updated list of properties to FEMA on a daily basis for assessment for temporary housing.  The first completed list of state properties was submitted on September 7. 

o	The list has been prioritized and submitted identifying available state property in Katrina parishes and is being prioritized to identify available state property in the Rita parishes as well.   


o	The list we provided identified approximately 53,000 acres of state land, 1600 RV sites, 6,000 group sites and 230 cabins.

o	According to the State Office of Facility Planning of the 97 state sites on the list, 15 sites have some action taken but no decision has been made, 14 sites have been reviewed and accepted and 18 have been reviewed and rejected.


.	Parish Outreach
o	The State continues to work directly with both affected parishes and the potential host parishes in identifying housing needs and additional transitional housing sites which are being immediately provided to FEMA.   

o	Yesterday staff from the Governor's housing team visited Washington, St. Tammany and St. Bernard parishes.  

o	Team members visited Orleans and Jefferson parish earlier in the week.   

.	Look for church land and a helping hand  
o	Governor Blanco has requested FEMA develop a new faith based program to identify additional sites for transitional housing.  

o	The Governor has requested that faith based organizations offer available church property for temporary housing and adopting the families to be placed on their church sites.  

o	As Blanco stated, "Church communities are excellent locations for our evacuated citizens to live and worship and heal."

o	Churches interested in participating in the program as asked to call 1-866-310-7617 or 342-1824.  Information provided will be forwarded to FEMA for assessment of the property. 


.	Transitional Communities  
o	The Governor's housing team is also working to ensure transitional communities are established that include wrap-around services.  Continuing meetings are occurring to connect services to citizens for the Groom Road group housing site which is scheduled to open next week, according to FEMA.    

.	Shelter Populations*
Source: FEMA & Department of Social Services

o	As of Tuesday, there were approximately 30,000 Louisiana citizens in out-of -state shelters throughout the US.  

o	As of today, there were approximately 46,400 Louisiana citizens in in-shelters throughout Louisiana. 
*These numbers are in constant flux as citizens displaced due to Rita and Katrina attempt to return to their homes. 

.	Ports & Airports*
Source: Louisiana Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness

o	New Orleans International Airport is open to cargo flights and limited passenger flights.

o	Lake Charles Regional Airport plans to resume operation on October 8, 2005. 

o	Ports: 
	Port of New Orleans: access available; U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime has made ships available to house displaced port-related workers. 

	Port of Lake Charles: wind/flood damage; no electrical power. NOAA has moved a survey boat to survey the ship channel. 

	Port of Iberia: extensive flooding from Rita. Office has one foot of water and no power. 

	Abbeville Harbor and Terminal District: access road under water but is passable; port operating at 50 percent capacity. No power or communications. Leland Bowman locks are open; Freshwater Bayou locks closed.


Overview (continued)


.	Main Road/ Bridge Closures
Source: Louisiana Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness

.	I-10 Twin Span 
.	Causeway Bridge ( except for emergency vehicles)
.	US 90 at Pearl Bridge
.	LA 23 Belle Southbound in Plaquemines Parish
.	LA 433 at Bayou Liberty Bridge
.	Belle Chasse Tunnel

.	Road Closures by Parish
Source: Louisiana Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness

o	Acadia Parish : LA 91 @ the pontoon bridge
o	Assumption Parish: LA 182 from the Amelia Bridge to LA 662
o	Calcasieu Parish: I-10 at the Calcasieu River Bridge, I-210 near Nelson Rd., LA 14 east of LA 397, LA 27, Holly Hill Road and subdivision, I-210 at Lake Street West-bound on and East-bound off ramps, LA 385, Lincoln Road in South Lake Charles, Prein Road to Nelson Road near the Contraband Bayou Bridge, Sale Road from Prien Lake to Lake Street
o	Cameron Parish: LA 27 from I-10 to LA 14, :A 82 from Deep Bayou Road to Teal Street, LA 27 South of Sweet Lake at Gift Town Bridge
o	Iberia Parish: LA 682 west LA 675 (east of LA 89)
o	Jefferson Parish: US 61 north- and south-bound at LA 3046
o	Lafourche Parish: The LA 1 bridge crossing over the Company Canal in Lockport
o	Orleans Parish: I-10 east and west-bound at Metairie Rd./ City Park Ave.
o	St. Bernard Parish: LA 39 (W. Judge Perez) n/b & s/b at Orleans Parish Line Claiborne Ave. & W. Judge Perez from Central St. to Packenham Dr.
o	St. John the Baptist Parish: US 51 n/b & s/b at m/p 8.0 (Ruddock Exit)
o	St. Martin Parish: LA 92 between LA 31 and LA 347
o	St. Mary Parish: LA 317 south of the Intercoastal Waterway, LA 319 south of LA 83
o	St. Tammany Parish: I-10 w/b @Oak Harbor, LA 433 (Bayou Liberty)
o	Tangipahoa Parish: I-55 off ramps to Manchac
o	Terrebonne Parish: LA 665 (Point-Aux-Chenes Rd) at LA 55, LA 56 is closed south of Nonc Eds St. (Chase Bank), LA 57 south of Coast Guard road (LA 3011), LA 58
o	Vermillion Parish: LA 333 is closed from LA 82 to Intracoastal City, LA 82 from LA 27 to LA 3147, LA 82 from the Intracoastal water way bridge to the Cameron Parish




Overview (continued)

.	Power & Communication Utilities*
Source: Louisiana Public Service Commission

o	Local, state and federal agencies are working with utility providers to restore power and communications.  
o	As of 9:00 am today, approximately:   
	353,136 Louisianianas are without power

.	160,324 outages are Rita-related

.	192,812 outages are Katrina-related

	455,000 Louisianians are without telephone service
	24,000 Louisianians are without natural gas utilities

.	Oil & Gas Infrastructure
Source: Louisiana Department of Natural Resources

o	To date, Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) is operating at 100%.

o	To date, 6 of 12 major refineries in south Louisiana are operating at near capacity. 
	These refineries include: ExxonMobil (Baton Rouge), Placid Refining Company (Port Allen), Motiva (Convent), Motiva (Norco), Marathon Ashland Petroleum (Garyville), Valero (Norco) 

o	To date, 6 of 12 major refineries in south Louisiana are currently shut-down. 
	These refineries include: Chalmette Refining (Chalmette) Murphy Oil (Chalmette), ConocoPhillips (Alliance), Valero (Krotz Springs), CITGO (Lake Charles), and ConocoPhillips (Lake Charles).  

o	6 of 6 natural gas processing plants in Louisiana are currently shut down.
	3 plants are waiting on power.  These plants are: ExxonMobil  (Garden City), Marathon ( Burns Point), and ExxonMobil  (Grand Isle).  
	3 are assessing and/ or reparing damages.  These plants are: Dynegy (Yscloskey), Dynegy (Venice) and Enterprise Products (Toca).

o	Several pipelines shut down their systems as a result of Hurricane Rita. 

.	Hospitals*
Source: Louisiana Hospital Association
     
All hospitals are operational, except some hospitals in mandatory evacuation areas.

o	Throughout the various stages of recovery, primary emergency room services are being provided by the following hospitals in the affected regions:

Lake Charles Area
West Calcasieu- Cameron Hospital & CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital of Lake Charles

Greater New Orleans Area
East Jefferson General Hospital; West Jefferson Medical Center; Ochsner Clinic Foundation; Kenner Regional Medical Center; Lakeside Memorial Hospital; and
Temporary Field House Hospital at the Convention Center

Overview (continued)

.	Hospitals (continued)*
Source: Louisiana Hospital Association

Lafayette Area
ALL emergency care services in the Lafayette area are operational.  

o	Other hospital updates:
.	Lake Charles Memorial Hospital plans to come back up Saturday or Sunday - with ER, ICU services and approximately 15-20 beds.  
.	The Gauthier campus of LCMH will re-open on Sun with approximately 15 beds.  They do not have ER services, but will provide walk in services.
.	Kenner Regional opens today with 20 beds and their ER is functional.  
.	Touro Infirmary re-opened their ER yesterday at 7am with a Strike team.  They currently have limited ER capability. 
.	Lakeside Hospital in Metairie is scheduled to open this Friday with ER services, 20 beds and limited inpatient/medical surgery capabilities.  
	
.	Schools Affected By Rita 
Source: Local School Districts

o	Calcasieu Parish School Board 
.	Urgent Message for News Media
ONLY news that is obtained from the www.cpsb.org website or as a written communication from Superintendent of Schools Jude Theriot, Chief Financial Officer Karl Bruchhaus, Administrative Coordinator of Technology Sheryl Abshire, or Public Information Officer Charlene Chiasson is to be aired or published. It is important that the information be read or printed directly from the communiqué in order to avoid misinformation concerning school system operations.

.	For Parents and Students
With the information that we currently have, we plan to complete the school year with a modified school-year and/or school day schedule. We are not encouraging students to enroll in other school districts, nor are we discouraging it. Of course, it is the choice of all parents to make the decisions that they feel is best for their child.

.	Re-opening of Schools
Schools are unable to be opened until all utilities are restored and all schools are certified to be safe. Please continue to visit the website at www.cpsb.org for updates. Adequate advance notice will be given before employees and students are expected back in school.

o	Iberia Parish re-opened yesterday.  

o	Cameron Parish reports schools are closed until further notice.

o	Lafourche Parish reports they plan to re-open schools Monday, October 3, 2005.

o	St. Landry Parish re-opened schools yesterday.  

o	Terrebonne Parish reports that 11 schools will be closed through at least October 4th.  

o	Vermilion Parish schools are closed until further notice.  
Overview (continued)

.	Schools Affected by Katrina
Source: Local School Districts

o	Plaquemines Parish reports it will reopen schools in Belle Chase on October 17, 2005 to all students of Plaquemines Parish.

o	Orleans Parish schools are closed until further notice.
.	School officials also announced that employees will continue to receive health care benefits through the month of October at no cost to the employee.

o	Washington Parish schools have re-opened.

o	Bogalousa City Schools are scheduled to re-open Monday, October 3, 2005.

o	St. Tammany Parish schools are scheduled to re-open Monday, October 3, 2005.

o	The St. Bernard Parish School System is closed until further notice.

o	Jefferson Parish Public Schools are scheduled to re-open Monday, October 3, 2005.  


.	Mandatory Evacuation Orders- Rita*
Source: Louisiana Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness

     Mandatory Evacuation Orders are still in effect for 10 Southwest Louisiana Parishes. 
o	Parish residents are advised NOT to return to these areas until advised otherwise.
o	These parishes include:
	ALL of Calcasieu Parish
	ALL of Cameron Parish
	ALL of Jefferson Davis Parish 
	PARTS of Vermilion Parish (low lying areas south of LA 14)
	PARTS of St. Mary Parish (below the Intercoastal Waterway)
	PARTS of Acadia Parish (South of LA 92)
	PARTS of Iberia Parish (below US Highway 90)
	PARTS of Iberville Parish (mobile homes only)
	PARTS of Jefferson Parish (Lafite, Crown Port, Barrataria & Grand Isle)
	PARTS of Lafourche Parish (South of Leon Theriot flood gates)

.	As of 9:00 am today, 57 parishes have declared States of Emergency due to effects of Hurricane Rita.  
o	These parishes include: Acadia , Franklin , Rapides, Allen, Grant, Red River , Ascension, Iberia , Richland , Avoyelles, Iberville, Sabine, Beauregard, Jackson , St James, Bienville, Jefferson , St. Landry, Bossier, Jefferson Davis, St. Martin , Caddo, Lafayette , St. Mary, Calcasieu , Lafourche, Tangipahoa, Caldwell , LaSalle, Tensas , Cameron, Livingston , Terrebonne, Catahoula, Madison , Union , Claiborne, Morehouse, Vermillion, Concordia, Natchitoches , Vernon , Desoto, Orleans , West Baton Rouge , East Baton Rouge , Ouachita, West Carroll, East Carroll, Plaquemines, West Feliciana , Evangeline, Pointe Coupee, Winn, Lincoln, Assumption and Washington.  






Overview (continued)

.	Mandatory Evacuation Orders- Katrina
Source: Louisiana Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness

Mandatory Evacuation Orders are still in effect for 4 Southeast Louisiana Parishes.
o	A curfew is in effect from 6 pm- 6 am for areas where residents are being allowed to return.
o	Residents are urged to monitor the local media for guidance from their local officials for information about returning home.  
o	These parishes include:
	PARTS of Orleans Parish (low lying areas)
	PARTS of Jefferson Parish (low lying areas)
	PARTS of Plaquemines Parish (low lying areas)
	PARTS of St. Bernard Parish (low lying areas)

64 parishes have declared States of Emergency due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina.  

.	Fatalities*
Source: Department of Health & Hospitals & Louisiana State Police

o	To date, the number of Katrina- related fatalities is 932. 

o	To date, there are no confirmed Rita-related fatalities.


National Guard 

.	As of Tuesday, there were nearly 17,000 National Guard soldiers on the ground under the command of Governor Blanco.

.	National Guard troops are working diligently to respond to the needs of citizens affected by Hurricane Katrina and those affected by Hurricane Rita.  

o	Rita
.	To date, approximately 4,000 National Guard troops have been dedicated to Task Force Rita.  
.	In the aftermath of Rita, the National Guard 
.	Rescued approximately 2,000 citizens 
.	Delivered the following to citizens in need:
o	More than 1,400,000 MREs
o	More than 1,600,000 bottles of water 
o	More than 415,000 bags of ice 

o	Katrina
.	In the aftermath of Katrina, the National Guard 
.	Rescued more than 4,200 citizens
.	Delivered the following to citizens in need:
o	More than 5,000,000 meals 
o	More than 6,000,000 liters of water 
o	More than 12,000,000 pounds of ice 




Department of Social Services*

.	From Sept. 2 - Sept. 29, the Office of Family Support has issued nearly $114 million in Disaster Food Stamp Program benefits to nearly 315,000 households as a result of Hurricane Katrina. 

.	OFS began issuing Disaster Food Stamp benefits to the victims of Hurricane Rita on Sept. 27. During the first 7-hour period, $2 million in benefits were awarded to 5,523 households. Beginning Sept. 30, OFS will be able to issue benefits to residents of 9 Texas counties who were impacted by Hurricane Rita and have evacuated to shelters in Louisiana. 

.	Displaced citizens may use Disaster Food Stamp Benefits in any state in the nation. For more information about the program and other social services needs, DSS is offers a toll-free hotline at 1 (888) LA HELP U.

.	About 46,400 displaced citizens were located in 349 Louisiana shelters. Another 446 patients and 82 caregivers are located in 5 special needs shelters. However, the number is in constant flux as citizens displaced due to both Rita and Katrina attempt to return to their homes. 

.	Shelters housing more than 25 displaced citizens and not currently registered with the parish Office of Emergency Preparedness should call (866) 310-7617 or in Baton Rouge, 925-1938. 


Department of Transportation & Development*

.	DOTD/FHWA team continued to make damage inspections and assessment of area bridges which sustained flooding or other damage during Rita. 

.	I-10 eastbound through New Orleans from the Jefferson Parish/Orleans Parish line is open. 

.	The Lake Charles Regional Airport plans to resume operation on Oct. 8. 

.	Port of Lake Charles: 
o	The Calcasieu channel is closed to deep sea traffic at least until the end of this week. 
o	The port expects to be fully operational within the next few days. 

.	Signal and sign crews are working in the affected areas to repair damaged signals and signs. 

.	The DOTD Customer Call Center has taken 8,792 calls since Aug. 31.



Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries*

.	Enforcement Division Search and Rescue (SAR) Missions
o	Rita
	LDWF has responded to 215 rescue requests 

	A LDWF task force will remain in Abbeville with a second dispatch point in Lake Charles to support SAR efforts in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes. 

	LDWF personnel are also staged in Westwego to respond to needs in the southeastern parishes. 

	Total persons rescued through SAR - still to be compiled.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries(continued)*

o	Katrina
	LDWF estimates more than 21,000 lives were saved through LDWF coordinated search and rescue operations in the aftermath of Katrina

o	The overall rescue effort was a cooperative air and water approach involving: U.S. Coast Guard, La. National Guard, 82nd Airborne, local Sheriff's Offices, Parish OEP's and civilian volunteers, as well as LDWF enforcement division, fisheries division and wildlife division personnel.

.	Additional hunting season closures and opening date postponements in due to Rita:

o	Deer and rabbit hunting is hereby closed effective October 1, 2005 in all of Cameron Parish except that portion north of LA Highway 14, that portion of Vermilion Parish south of LA Highway 14, that portion of Jefferson Davis Parish south of LA Highway 14, and that portion of Calcasieu Parish south of LA Highway 14 and Interstate 10.  
	This season closure will remain in effect until more detailed surveys of the impact to these two species and their habitats can be conducted and a review of the findings is evaluated.

o	Deer, rabbit, and squirrel hunting is hereby closed effective October 1, 2005 in portions of Ascension, Livingston, St. John, and St. James parishes north and west of US Highway 51 from US 61 to Frenier Road, north of Frenier Road to Lake Pontchartrain, west of Lake Pontchartrain to Pass Manchac, south of Pass Manchac to Lake Maurepas, south of Lake Maurepas to the Blind River, south of Blind River to the Amite River Diversion Canal, south of Amite River Diversion Canal to LA Highway 22, south of LA Highway 22 to LA Highway 70 in Sorrento, east of LA Highway 70 to LA Highway 3125, north of LA Highway 3125 to LA Highway 641, north and west of LA Highway 641 to US Highway 61, north of US Highway 61 to US Highway 51.  
	The decision to close hunting in this area is based upon the flooding that has continued in this area since Hurricane Rita, utilizing the water levels documented from past flooding activity.  Water is slowly receding in this area and this season closure will remain in effect until the area reopens on October 8, 2005.

o	Deer and rabbit hunting is hereby closed effective October 1, 2005 in those portions of Terrebonne, Lafourche, and Jefferson parishes south of the Intracoastal Waterway.  
	The decision to close these seasons is based upon the flooding that has occurred since Hurricane Rita.  These areas should be reopened for hunting shortly, as soon as water levels return to normal and the stress to these populations due to flooding is removed.  A special announcement pertaining to this opening will be made.  

o	The first Youth Lottery Deer Hunt on Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area scheduled for October 8-9, 2005 is cancelled.

o	Additionally, the U.S. Army has closed all hunting seasons on the weekend of October 1 and 2, 2005 at Fort Polk and Peason Ridge wildlife management areas. 
	Those WMAs encompass acreage in Vernon, Sabine and Natchitoches parishes. 
	Hunters utilizing those WMAs are advised to contact the Fort Polk Game Warden Office at 337-531-5715 for information on when these areas will be opened after October 2.

o	Prior to today's closure, deer and rabbit season had been closed by LDWF on Sept. 16 in Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes due to Hurricane Katrina damage to wildlife habitat. Those seasons will remained closed in those parishes until further notice.

o	For more information on 2005-06 hunting season changes and updates, visit the LDWF web site at www.wlf.louisiana.gov.
Department of Environmental Quality*

.	EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson and Region Six Administrator Richard Greene visited with DEQ Secretary Mike McDaniel on Thursday then addressed employees and the media. Johnson said he was pleased to see how the two agencies have worked together.

.	DEQ air monitoring in St. Bernard shows no elevated levels. 

.	Sediment sampling in St. Bernard parish continues today. 

.	Water sampling in Lake Pontchartrain continues today.

.	DEQ/EPA will continue to pickup household hazardous waste in areas impacted by Katrina. The two agencies will also continue to work with local officials throughout the region to set up staging areas for household hazardous waste.

.	DEQ/EPA will conduct air sampling at selected sites where hurricane-related debris is being burned 

.	EPA/DEQ will have teams in southwest Louisiana conducting assessment of the area. So far 125 facilities have been inspected in Vermilion and St. Mary parish. 

.	Lake Charles has 29 major wastewater treatment plants and only 2 are not running. All should be working by the beginning of next week. 

.	DEQ will participate in a press briefing with other state agencies to discuss water sampling in Lake Pontchartrain, along with a fish tissue sampling plan, at 11 a.m. at the OEP.


Department of Labor*

.	DOL will be holding a military veterans-only job fair from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Oct. 13 at the American Legion Nicholson Post #38 office, 151 South Wooddale Boulevard,  in Baton Rouge.

.	DOL has extended the time that Hurricane Rita-related claims for Disaster Unemployment Assistance can be filed.
o	The deadline is November 30, 2005. 

.	DOL announced that Individuals living or working in the parishes of Acadia, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Mary, Allen, Lafourche and Terrebonne are now eligible to file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.                                                              
                                                                            
.	DOL has paid 181,071 Katrina-related claims for benefits this month, 15 times more than normally paid in a month. The four-week total of Katrina-related claims for Unemployment Insurance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance nearly matches the 193,119 new claims processed during all of 2004.   









Department of Health and Hospitals*

.	State health officials have issued an update to conditions of water systems in Louisiana that were seriously impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Boil orders have been lifted for some parish water systems. The boil orders, which were issued after a loss of pressure occurred in those systems, have been lifted since testing showed the water does not contain unsafe levels of bacteria and is safe to drink and use. 

.	Boil orders still remain in effect for other water systems that experienced pressure loss during the hurricane. Customers of these water systems are reminded not to drink, make ice from, brush teeth, prepare or rinse food with tap water unless it has been properly disinfected until further notice.

.	Today, 1169 water systems have been cleared by the state health department and 422 systems remain under a boil advisory. For a complete listing of these systems, visit www.dhhemergencynews.com.

.	The US Air Force will conduct the aerial applications to assist mosquito control activities normally conducted by parish and local mosquito control districts.

.	Aerial application of routinely used pesticides, primarily Naled, began in Acadia parish on Thursday, and will likely continue through Friday, Sept. 30. Also scheduled for spraying on Friday, is Calcasieu parish. The spraying will occur during the last 2-3 hours of daylight. 

.	DHH has updated the number of deceased victims that have been recovered following Hurricane Katrina. At this time, state officials, working in conjunction with coroners from local parishes have confirmed 923 recovered bodies.

.	The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are working together to ensure the quality of seafood in the Hurricane Katrina-effected area, including Lake Pontchartrain, is satisfactory and safe for consumption.

.	Data obtained on the quality of flood waters discharged to Lake Pontchartrain and from the estuary surrounding the lake show no levels of toxic chemicals above concern that would warrant fish consumption advisories at this time.

.	Plans for comprehensive seafood tissue sampling are being developed to ensure the safety of seafood caught in the effected areas. These plans will be implemented within two weeks.


Division of Administration*

.	DOA announced the discretionary reopening of state offices 
o	This allows state agency heads to exercise their discretion in reopening state offices which had been closed before Hurricane Rita made landfall.

.	State agency heads in all parishes may reopen state offices as circumstances allow and call employees in those areas back to work in accordance with Civil Service rules

.	Commissioner LeBlanc also called for supervisors of state workers to be sensitive to the needs of their employees He also urged state employees to monitor their local media for updates and to stay informed by periodically calling the state office work status hotline numbers. 

.	The work status hotline numbers are: 1-800-360-9660 and 225-342-0498.
Department of Corrections*

.	The Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office has requested the assistance of 10 Probation and Parole officers for security patrols.  This is in addition to assistance already being provided by P&P officers.
o	4 officers at Moss Regional Hospital in Lake Charles
o	6 officers in the town of Jennings with patrols and other security measures
o	5 officers assisting the Jefferson Davis Sheriff's Office with patrols
o	10 officers assisting the Vermilion Sheriff's Office with patrols

.	Female inmates from Terrebonne Parish will be returned to their institution today.  Male inmates from Terrebonne Parish will return over the weekend.  (These inmates were being housed in state institutions and were evacuated because of flooding concerns from Hurricane Rita.)

.	The Department is monitoring progress at other local facilities.

.	Electricity is expected to be restored at Allen Correctional Center today.  Allen's Culinary Arts Program is continues to prepare meals for Allen Parish's Meals on Wheels program, which feeds approximately 150 people.

.	C. Paul Phelps Correctional Center in Dequincy is operating on emergency generator power.  Best estimates put power restoration there at 10 days (from now).

.	FEMA representatives are quite impressed with Phelps' distribution process.  Correctional Officers and inmates are handing out ice, water and MRE's to local residents.

.	Washington Correctional Institute in Angie, LA is still operating as a FEMA distribution site as well.  WCI started its FEMA operations September 4th.


###


The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF), Louisiana's fund for Louisiana's people, has been established by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco in order to support long-term family restoration and recovery and help provide assistance to our citizens in need through a network of Louisiana charities and non-profit agencies.

877.HELPLA1 (877.435-7521)
www.louisianahelp.org