Gustav briefs for Sept. 6-7, 2008

• By ADVOCATE STAFF REPORT
• Published: Sep 6, 2008 - Page: 14A, 1B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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‘Blue Roof’ tarp program in effect
Operation Blue Roof is under way.

Gov. Bobby Jindal said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has opened its roof-patching program for 13 parishes affected by Hurricane Gustav. Under the program, the corps puts up free blue tarps to cover roof damage as a temporary fix until repairs can be made.

Jindal said there’s demand for 25,000 such tarps. If demand grows in other parishes, he said the corps will be willing to expand the program.

More information is available at 1-888-ROOF-BLU.

Food stamps OK’d for 31 parishes
The federal government has approved disaster food stamps for 31 Louisiana parishes affected by Hurricane Gustav.

Officials say the parishes have an estimated 380,000 households that will be eligible for disaster food benefits.

The parishes already have 150,000 regular food stamp households.

The parishes declared eligible for disaster food stamps are: Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

State inspecting industrial facilities
The Louisiana State Police Hazardous Materials/Explosives Unit and Department of Environmental Quality have worked since Hurricane Gustav to inspect chemical plants, railroads, storage facilities and refineries in the state.

The LSP and DEQ teams have inspected hundreds of facilities, including 52 major industrial sites.

As a result of these inspections, all major railroad operations have resumed within the state.

State Police and DEQ will continue their inspections and respond to any incidents that may arise as these facilities resume their daily operation.

EKL offering limited services
Earl K. Long Medical Center is offering limited services. The following is a list of services being offered:

• The emergency department is open for minor illnesses and injuries only.
• The Oncology Infusion Clinic is open Monday through Friday. To schedule an appointment call 358-3914.
• The retail pharmacy for LSU patients only is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
• On Monday, the Primary Care Clinic will be open.  For an appointment, call 358-1472 or 358-1473.
• Patients needing other services should call Gabrille Morgan at 281-4112 or 212-1323 or (800) 385-1418.
• The medical center will provide intravenous fluids to military personnel, National Guard troops, and first responders who experience dehydration.

Hospital opens disaster services
Baton Rouge General is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to set up a disaster medical assistance team at Baton Rouge General-Mid City to assist with minor emergency care needs. The team is in the parking lot next to the medical center’s Mid City Emergency Department on Peachtree Boulevard between Florida Boulevard and North Boulevard.