LA State Officials Visit Areas Damaged by Severe Weather

BATON ROUGE (October 31, 2009) – Today, Mark Cooper, Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), and Major General Bennett C. Landreneau, Adjutant General for the Louisiana National Guard, conducted an aerial assessment of areas damaged by Thursday’s severe weather. Storms ravaged North and Southwest Louisiana Thursday night. GOHSEP continues to assist parishes affected by the severe weather. GOHSEP dispatched additional support personnel to assist parish emergency preparedness directors. GOHSEP also provided more than 200,000 sandbags. The Louisiana National Guard sent two high water vehicles to the area to assist with rescues. “We continue to assist the residents of North and Southwest Louisiana as they regroup from this week’s severe weather. We will do everything possible to help them recover quickly,” said GOHSEP Director Mark Cooper. "The National Guard is working closely with local and state officials during this emergency situation and we are ready, as always, to assist our citizens and emergency responders in their recovery efforts," said General Landreneau. Friday, Governor Bobby Jindal declared a State of Emergency as a result of the wind and flood damage. GOHSEP’s Crisis Action Team (CAT) continues to monitor the situation. For more information on how to keep you and your family safe, go to www.getagameplan.org