Declaring a State of Emergency

August 5th, 2008 | Posted by admin

Dear Friends,
Governor Jindal talks during a press conference Monday on the state’s preparation for Tropical Strom Edouard.

Declaring a State of Emergency

Yesterday I declared a State of Emergency in preparation of Tropical Storm Edouard making landfall along the western Gulf of Mexico earlier today. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) activated its Emergency Operations Center and has worked diligently with state agencies and departments over the past few days to prepare Louisiana for any possible effects from the storm.

 

The state is better prepared than it has been in the past, and we are ready in case disaster strikes. We have invested in our state’s communications systems, ensuring interoperability throughout our agencies, and have more than 700 bus contracts to help evacuate those without transporation.  We have also worked with parishes and non-profits around the state to identify locations that will be able to shelter more than 78,000 people should the need arise.

 

The quick formation of Tropical Storm Edouard off of Louisiana’s coast underlines the importance for every Louisiana family to take personal responsibility and have a plan in place in case of emergency. As reported in the Lafayette Daily Advertiser, we are cautioning residents of coastal Louisiana not to be complacent. We have created a website, www.GetaGameplan.org, to offer tips and ideas for individual emergency plans, and I would encourage you all to visit the site to ensure you are prepared properly. It is vitally important that every family has a plan in place before a disaster strikes, because once a storm arrives it is too late.

 

Meeting With Nucor

I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina last week to meet with executives of Nucor Corp., the largest steel maker in the nation, and to tour their steel facility there. Nucor is considering building a new steel manufacturing plant along the Mississippi River in St. James Parish, which would have a huge economic impact for our state. As a matter of fact, the new plant could, as written by the Baton Rouge Advocate, be “the largest single private sector investment in the state’s history, up to $4 billion.”

 

I had a very productive meeting with Nucor’s executive staff, and I am looking forward to continue bringing new economic development opportunities to our state. Already this year a Fortune 1,000 company has moved its headquarters to Louisiana, and other nationwide companies have agreed to relocate to Louisiana, showing that the nation and the world are taking notice that this is not the same old Louisiana. We will continue working to bring new jobs and new businesses to our state, offering more opportunities not only for ourselves but for our children and grandchildren as well.

 

Honoring Louisiana’s Veterans

It was a great privilege for me to visit with Louisiana’s veterans at the Southwest Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jennings last week. There I participated in a pinning ceremony, honoring the “Greatest Generation” of Americans who served our country valiantly during World War II. It is so important that we in Louisiana never take our dedicated servicemen and women for granted.

 

As mentioned by KPLC, I also spoke about the expansion of the National WWII Museum in New Orleans that will include a section honoring the more than 280,000 Louisiana citizens- the 4th largest state per capita- who served during WWII. I am extremely proud of the men and women who have dedicated their lives in service of our country and who continue to serve in our armed forces. From Barksdale Air Force Base to Fort Polk to Jackson Barracks in New Orleans, Louisiana is proud to recognize our servicemen and women.

 

Talking with Residents Across the State

We continued our town hall meetings this past week, meeting with residents in Mer Rouge, Farmerville, Dubach, Mamou, and Church Point. Over and over again, we hear how excited you are about the New Louisiana and encourage us to continue our reforms. As Shreveport Times columnist Wiley Hilburn said, we have “picked up scandal-prone Louisiana by the ears like a Catahoula cur dog and shaken it violently, getting good government marks in the process.”

 

I strongly believe that hearing from you is an important part in continuing to move our state forward. Residents should not have to go to Baton Rouge just to talk to the Governor. This Thursday I look forward to visiting Vidalia in Concordia Parish and Moreauville in Avoyelles Parish, and will continue traveling around the state in the coming months. I greatly value the concerns of our citizens, and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me as I travel Louisiana.

 

Thursday, August 7

11:30 a.m. – Vidalia Conference and Convention Center, 112 Front St., Vidalia
2 p.m. – Moreauville Community Center, 343 Tassin St., Moreauville


Sincerely,

 Bobby Jindal

Governor Bobby Jindal

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