Gov Jindal Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration, Activates Guardsmen

[deminks]

BATON ROUGE – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal held a press conference in Baton Rouge to announce that he has issued a state of emergency and requested a presidential pre-landfall disaster declaration. Additionally, the Governor announced that the National Guard is beginning to activate 3,000 guardsmen, and the state has triggered several preparation measures to prepare for a potential evacuation and the shelter of residents.

Governor Jindal said, “Today, I have officially issued a State of Emergency Declaration. In addition, we are requesting a pre-landfall Presidential declaration from the federal government. I have ordered the National Guard to activate 3,000 Guardsman, and they will report to their unit armories in the morning and prepare for deployment to affected areas, as needed.

“Today, we are also activating contracts for coaches and buses to support evacuation efforts. We are activating contacts for trucks supporting the movement of companion animals, and we are activating transportation staging areas in Jefferson Parish to assist in evacuations as needed. We have also told the Red Cross to be on alert so they are ready to provide loading teams in the transportation staging areas.”

The Governor also gave a look ahead at a possible timeline of events to prepare residents. He said that on Thursday buses will arrive in the state to prepare to evacuate residents, and special need shelters will open. Friday, general population shelters are set to open, animal shelters will open, phased parish evacuation plans will begin, and some hospitals and nursing homes may begin evacuating some patients. On Saturday, contra-flow could begin, if the storm keeps its current track. On Sunday, Wildlife and Fisheries will begin to activate their search and rescue operations and DOTD would lock down moveable bridges in the state. This is strictly a working timeline at this point to prepare residents. This information will be updated as the storm continues to move.

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Government/Gov_Jindal_Requests_Presidential_Disaster_Declaration_Activates_Guardsmen__7376.asp

My fear is that the rethugs will be partying again while the locals struggle to meet the needs. God/fortune be with you all on the Gulf Coast. Be safe.

[sharesunited]

1. Jindal is the disaster.

[hack89]

3. Can't be any worse than Blanco and Nagin

There was plenty of blame to go around for Katrina.

[musette_sf]

2. FVCK YOU PIYUSH!

yeah, yer a big fvckin' hero, Piyush, you Bu$hCo butt-kisser. it's just fvcking amazing how YOU suddenly have 3K Guardsmen available to you, when Blanco couldn't get jack sh!t out of Bu$hCo. rot in hell.

[yourout]

4. Dont forget the buses.