[StBernard] Distribution of Southeast Louisiana emergency evacuation maps begins

[Westley Annis]

Distribution of Southeast Louisiana emergency evacuation maps begins 


NEW ORLEANS - Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco announced today that citizens
of southeast Louisiana can now pick up their own copy of the state's 2006
emergency evacuation map at dozens of locations throughout the area. 

"Last year, 1.3 million residents followed this map and safely evacuated
before Hurricane Katrina made landfall," Gov. Blanco said. "That success was
due to the cooperation of our citizens and a well-developed plan that
worked. I encourage all residents to pick up their map now and be prepared
for hurricane season. It's important that everyone stays on the ready should
another hurricane head this way."

The 2006 version of the plan contains some updated safety and contact
information. But the evacuation map and contraflow plan have remained the
same. People who have the 2005 version can still use the map portion for
planning purposes. 

Blanco said that to use the map properly, every family should develop its
own personal evacuation plan. 

"Residents should decide where to go, educate themselves thoroughly about
the plan and then write down a personal evacuation plan. Make a list of all
your travel needs now and post it where you can easily find it," Gov. Blanco
added.

Louisiana State Police, the Department of Transportation and Development
(DOTD), the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency
Preparedness (GOHSEP), and the American Red Cross urge residents to take the
following steps:

1. Get a copy of the plan and read it carefully. The plan is available at
dozens of locations, including Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowe's libraries and
post offices. 

2. Come up with your own personal evacuation plan BEFORE the need for an
evacuation arises. Residents should know where they are going and how to get
there. 

3. If a storm is approaching, leave as early as you can. The sooner you
leave, the safer you will be.

Gov. Blanco kicked off the map distribution today at the State Police Troop
B building in Kenner. An evacuation map for southwest Louisiana residents
will be distributed in the coming week/before Hurricane season. 

In addition to the printed map, residents can access the map on the
following Web sites: State Police at www.lsp.org <http://www.lsp.org> ;
Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, at
www.ohsep.louisiana.gov <http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov> ; Department of
Transportation and Development at www.dotd.louis! iana.gov/maps
<http://www.dotd.louisiana.gov/maps> ; and the American Red Cross,
www.batonrouge.redcross.org <http://www.batonrouge.redcross.org> ,
www.arcno.org <http://www.arcno.org>  or www.preparelouisiana.redcross.org
<http://www.preparelouisiana.redcross.org> .

DOTD's Customer Service Center representatives can answer questions about
the evacuation map. The center is open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday,
and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Please call (225) 379-1232 or
1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683) with questions.

Additional Media Contact: 
Lt. Lawrence McLeary
Public Information Officer
Louisiana State Police
225.925.6202 (office)

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The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation Louisiana's Fund for Louisiana's
People www.louisianahelp.org <http://www.louisianahelp.org>  1-877-HELPLA1
(877-435-7521)