Disaster Recovery Centers Temporarily Closed Due to Severe Weather 

Release Date: September 11, 2008
Release Number: 1786-016

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BATON ROUGE, La. -- All Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) throughout the state will remain closed until further notice due to severe weather predictions, state and federal disaster officials announced tonight.

"Safety is our highest priority," said Mike Hall, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's federal coordinating officer. "Once all threat of impact from Hurricane Ike has passed, the DRCs will be up and running to help meet the needs of Louisiana residents."

The eight DRCs, located in Assumption, Ascension, East Feliciana, Lafourche, Livingston, Point Coupee, Terrebonne and West Baton Rouge parishes, will reopen once officials determine it is safe for workers and residents to travel within those areas. The Lafourche Parish DRC, in the old Walmart building on Highway 1 in Mathews, opened for the first time on Thursday before being forced to close.

For the latest information on the recovery from Hurricane Gustav, visit emergency.louisiana.gov or call the state's emergency hotline at 1-866-288-2484 to listen to a recorded message with the most up-to-date information.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Friday, 12-Sep-2008 10:04:49