Hurricane Gustav Evacuation Updates

The following message was sent to all SRU Employees by Dr. Ed Richard on Tuesday Morning September 9, 2008:

Staff:

We anticipate having power to all our facilities both at Houma and the Ardoyne Farm by this weekend.  In addition, I have been told that the sewage treatment facilities at both locations are running and that the drinking water is safe to drink.  A number of you have been helping with the cleanup of the facilities as well to further insure that we have functional and safe facilities by Monday.

I am sure that you are wondering when it will be time to come back to work.  A final decision has not been made to date as we are still watching Hurricane Ike.  However, if Ike goes into Texas as projected, then we will probably ask all of you to come back to work on Monday, September 15th.

Once a final decision has been made, I will contact your supervisors and ask them to relay the message to you.  You can also contact your supervisor directly or call me at (985) 804-7206 for updates.

Edward P. Richard, Jr. Ph.D

Research Leader/Location Coordinator

USDA-ARS, SRRC

Sugarcane Research Laboratory

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following message was sent to all SRU Employees by Brenda Aysenne on Tuesday Morning September 2, 2008:

We have been granted Administrative Leave through Friday, September 5th.  Due to unsafe road conditions, power outages, etc. we ask that you remain in contact with your supervisor about returning to work next week.  According to news reports, evacuees will not be able to enter Terrebonne Parish until noon on Friday, and Lafourche Parish residents until further notice.  I have been told that state troopers are stopping traffic along I-55 near Hammond and will not allow you to go through unless you have a special pass to enter. 
 
I hope all of you return safely.
 
If you have any questions, you may call me at 985-414-1343 or at my hotel 205-338-1314 (Room 217).
 
Thanks.
 
Brenda Aysenne

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------