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Red Cross Shelter Update

2005-09-01T16:27:00.000-07:00

If someone is seeking shelter, they are asked to call individual parish offices of emergency preparation to get a list of shelters.

The Baton Rouge Office of Emergency Preparation has this list available in the Baton Rouge area.

The following shelters are at capacity:
Baton Rouge River Center (Closed)
S.G. Building Southern University
Istrouma Baptist
Baker Municipal
ErwinvillePlaquemine High School
Lamar Dixon Expo
Denham Springs Junior High School
West Baton Rouge shelters

The following shelters are available:
Denham Springs High School
NorthparkPort Allen Community Center
Med Express Office (Alexandria)
P.E. Gym Lsu (Shreveport)
Pickering High School (Leesville)
Mowad Civic Ctr (Oakdale)
Our Lady Of Prompt Succor Church (White Castle)
Cajundome (Lafayette)
Miracle Place (Baker)
Goodwood Church Of ChristCivic Center (New Roads)
Sam Clark Civic Center (Maleville)

Red Cross Shelters:
Denham Springs Junior High School
Port Allen Community Center
Addis VFW

Independent shelters:
Faith Baptist Church in Baker
Bethany World Prayer Center off Reiger Road
Goodwood Boulevard Church of Christ, Goodwood at Sharp
Istrouma Baptist Church, I-12 at airline

Emergency call centers available:
Cingular store locations in Morgan City, Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Zachary, Hammond, Plaquemine and Lafayette; Mobile and Foley, Ala.; Natchez, Miss.

Red Cross donation drop offs:
6725 Seigen Lane
1051 Airline Drive (Gonzales)
21925 Highway 1 South Gate No. 1 Dow Chemical Plant (Plaquemine)

The phone number for the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness: 925-7500.

Parish OEPs
Ascension OEP 622-8630
Livingston 686-3066
WBR 346-1577
St. Tammany 985-898-2359
Tangipahoa 985-748-9602
West Feliciana 635-6428

Other numbers:
Red Cross: 1-800-Help-Now

To Check On Family And Friends: 1-866-Get-Info,
Donations: 1-800-435-7669
Fema: 1-800-621-3362
Disaster UmemploymentAssistance: 1-800-621-Fema
Boat Donations: 225- 925-2706
Road Closures: 225-925-6626
Finding Missing Persons: 225-922-7708/225-922-7709
In New Orleans In Distress: 225-925-7708/ 225-925-7709/ 225-925-3511/ 225- 925-7412
Hotel Info: 800-99-Gumbo
Displaced Animals Donations: 1-800-928-Lvma
Animal Shelter: 225-578-2255
Operation Share Your Home: 888-827-2525

Evacuees in school-turned-shelters around East Baton Rouge Parish will be relocated to the Baton Rouge River Center downtown. School officials want students to return Thursday. Schools that served as shelters included Istrouma High, Woodlawn High, McKinley High, Kenilworth Middle and Southeast Middle. School buses are moving the evacuees to the River Center.

Shelters available/encourage registration:
- Livonia High School, Livonia
- East Iberville High School, 3285 Hwy. 75, Saint Gabriel
- Scott Civic Center, 1200 Major Parkway, New Roads
- Denham Springs Junior High School, 401 Hatchell Lane, Denham Springs
- Denham Springs High School, 1000 North Range Ave., Denham Springs
- Albany High School, 1 Hornet Lane, Albany
- Dutchtown High School, 13165 Hwy. 73, Prairieville
- Baker Municipal Center, 3325 Groom Road, Baker
- Lamar Dixon Expo, Gonzales
- The Cajundome in Lafayette
- The LSU Maddox Fieldhouse (for special needs patients only)
- The emergency shelter at Plaquemine High School will remain open throughout the week.

Full to capacity: (no longer taking registration)
Scott Civic Center, New Roads
Tara High School, Baton Rouge

The American Red Cross opened numerous shelters today within the Capital Area to provide safe shelter for individuals and families evacuating from risk-prone areas in the path of Hurricane Katrina. Shelters are quickly reaching capacity at select shelters. The American Red Cross encourages individuals to proceed to the following shelters at this time:
Families and individuals are advised to bring along basic emergency and personal items that will be needed in the shelters for several days. Such items include pillows and bedding items, snacks, essential medications and other health-related items, extra clothing, and a toy or activity for children.

Volunteers are needed to assist with disaster relief. To register, call the Chapter at (225) 291-4533. A volunteer registration packet can be obtained through the Red Cross website at http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/082905/www.batonrouge.redcross.org Nurses are in need at this time.

For further information, people may contact the American Red Cross at 1-866-GET-INFO or locally at (225) 291-4533.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of this disaster and disasters across the country by making a financial gift to the Louisiana Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross or the National Disaster Relief Fund, which enables your local chapter to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call (225) 291-4533. Contributions to the American Red Cross may be sent to10201 Mayfair Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/082905/www.batonrouge.redcross.org

Team up with PETCO - HELP lost or homeless Hurricane Katrina animals

2005-09-01T16:13:00.000-07:00

Hurricane Katrina Severely Affects the Gulf Coast
In addition to the destruction of homes and widespread power outages, Hurricane Katrina has resulted in hurt, lost or homeless companion animals. To assist those in need, the PETCO Foundation is sponsoring a national emergency fundraiser.
Within 24 hours of the hurricane's landfall, PETCO stores and PETCO.com began collecting donations to benefit animal welfare disaster relief needs. Please help these animals in need by making a generous donation online or by Rounding Up your purchase in your local PETCO store.
Together we will make a difference.
Help lost or homeless companion animals now! Make a donation here.

TN Helps Displaced College Students

2005-09-01T15:43:00.000-07:00

Tennessee Governor Bredesen announced plans yesterday to open Tennessee’s public colleges and universities to students from Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana schools that have been closed due to storm damage. The University of Tennessee and Board of Regents systems are making arrangements to allow students from these effected institutions to continue their studies in Tennessee. Eligible and interested students should call 800-669-2678 which rings at the University of Memphis admissions office. They will serve as the facilitator for both Board of Regents Schools and the University of Tennessee.

Please pass this number along to anyone who knows of displaced college students. I will continue to pass along more information about Hurricane relief activities and programs by the State of Tennessee as it becomes available.

UnitedHealth Group Opens Crisis Hotline

2005-09-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

(08/30/05) UnitedHealth Group Opens Crisis Hotline in Wake of Hurricane

UnitedHealthcare, in conjunction with LifeEra and Optum, has opened a crisis hotline to help individuals in Gulf Coast states impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina cope with the emotional aftermath of this traumatic event. While these services are routinely available to UnitedHealthcare customers, the hotline set up for Hurricane Katrina is designed to address the needs of all residents affected by the hurricane.

Callers can speak with counselors to help them handle the difficult emotions they may experience such as stress, anxiety and the grieving process. Callers also may receive referrals from a national database of community resources to help them with specific concerns, such as financial and legal issues. Callers who may have suffered physical trauma or symptoms will be transferred to a nurse who will be able to provide health education and decision support regarding the need for medical treatment. Internet resources are available through www.liveandworkwell.com.

The toll-free crisis hotline number is (866) 615-8700. It will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for as long as necessary. Service is free of charge.