[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish readies for possible evac

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish readies for possible evac
by Paul Rioux, The Times-Picayune 
Wednesday August 27, 2008, 2:58 PM
If Gustav continues on its current projected path and builds to Category 3
or greater intensity, St. Bernard Parish would likely call for a mandatory
evacuation of the parish on Saturday, St. Bernard Parish President Craig
Taffaro said this afternoon.

During a news conference in Chalmette to discuss the parish's storm planning
and preparations, Taffaro said he and other officials don't want to alarm
the public, but want to make sure residents are putting together their own
plans should an evacuation be required.

Taffaro said Gustav's path and intensity would be the tipping point in
calling for an evacuation. Although computer models scatter Gustav's
projected path across the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center's
five-day track brings it menacingly close to the southeast Louisiana
coastline by Monday morning.

At Category 2 intensity, "St. Bernard should fare pretty well inside the
levee protection system,'' Taffaro said. "But with a Category 3 we would
have significant challenges in terms of storm surge.''

Taffaro said he is confident the levees in the parish, which have been
strengthened since taking a beating during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, are
stronger and better than they were before Katrina.

Taffaro also urged St. Bernard Parish residents with special needs that will
require help in an evacuation to notify the parish at 504.278.1593. Pickup
will be arranged for special needs residents during evacuation.

Only 60 residents have registered so far, officials said.