State urges readiness for storms
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METAIRIE — As the New Orleans Saints began prepping for their 2008 campaign with a three-day minicamp, Gov. Bobby Jindal visited the team’s practice facility Friday to urge Louisiana residents to start preparing for the hurricane season that kicks off Sunday.
Jindal, with Saints General Manager and Executive Vice President Mickey Loomis at his side, noted that the past two hurricane seasons have been quiet for Louisiana and said he hopes residents have not forgotten the hard lessons learned from hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
“I don’t want our citizens to wait until that (next) storm has a name,’’ the governor said. “We don’t want people to be falsely complacent. It only has to hit once. It may not happen this year. It may not happen next year, but it could.’’
Jindal and Loomis were joined by the Louisiana Association of United Ways, the American Red Cross, the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and the state Department of Transportation and Development in touting the “Get a Game Plan’’ hurricane preparedness campaign.
“Now is the time to prepare yourself, your families and your pets,’’ said Mark Cooper, director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, adding that hurricane experts predict an active season.
Loomis said the Saints never go into a season or game without preparing, and residents should adopt the same strategy when it comes to hurricane season.
Jindal said now is the time for residents to make sure they have their prescription medications, important documents, bottled water and food, and any special needs addressed.
“It’s never too early to start preparing for this hurricane season,’’ he said. “We know when those storms get named, there will be a rush on the hardware stores and the grocery stores.’’
Asked if he is concerned that the high cost of gas may impact some residents’ decision to evacuate, the governor said the state has contracts with private bus companies to provide transportation for those without transportation or money to get out of the path of a storm.
But he stressed that those buses should not be considered a “first line of defense.’’
For other hurricane preparedness tips and information about the 2008 Louisiana Citizen Awareness & Disaster Evacuation Guide, officials at Friday’s news conference said residents can go online at http://www.getagameplan.org/; http://www.launitedway.org/; or http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov.
Also, residents can obtain assistance during a disaster by dialing 211 from any phone, including cell phones, officials said. Under the Louisiana 211 system, operators use a network of information from government, private and nonprofit groups to collaborate services for people in need. It is a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week service.
Jindal, with Saints General Manager and Executive Vice President Mickey Loomis at his side, noted that the past two hurricane seasons have been quiet for Louisiana and said he hopes residents have not forgotten the hard lessons learned from hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
“I don’t want our citizens to wait until that (next) storm has a name,’’ the governor said. “We don’t want people to be falsely complacent. It only has to hit once. It may not happen this year. It may not happen next year, but it could.’’
Jindal and Loomis were joined by the Louisiana Association of United Ways, the American Red Cross, the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and the state Department of Transportation and Development in touting the “Get a Game Plan’’ hurricane preparedness campaign.
“Now is the time to prepare yourself, your families and your pets,’’ said Mark Cooper, director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, adding that hurricane experts predict an active season.
Loomis said the Saints never go into a season or game without preparing, and residents should adopt the same strategy when it comes to hurricane season.
Jindal said now is the time for residents to make sure they have their prescription medications, important documents, bottled water and food, and any special needs addressed.
“It’s never too early to start preparing for this hurricane season,’’ he said. “We know when those storms get named, there will be a rush on the hardware stores and the grocery stores.’’
Asked if he is concerned that the high cost of gas may impact some residents’ decision to evacuate, the governor said the state has contracts with private bus companies to provide transportation for those without transportation or money to get out of the path of a storm.
But he stressed that those buses should not be considered a “first line of defense.’’
For other hurricane preparedness tips and information about the 2008 Louisiana Citizen Awareness & Disaster Evacuation Guide, officials at Friday’s news conference said residents can go online at http://www.getagameplan.org/; http://www.launitedway.org/; or http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov.
Also, residents can obtain assistance during a disaster by dialing 211 from any phone, including cell phones, officials said. Under the Louisiana 211 system, operators use a network of information from government, private and nonprofit groups to collaborate services for people in need. It is a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week service.
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