August 30, 2008

"Durel Statement Regarding Lafayette Parish Volunteer Evacuation"


LAFAYETTE - Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel's Statement on
Volunteer Evacuation of Lafayette Parish:

On Thursday, August 28, 2008, I declared a state of emergency in
anticipation of the effects of Hurricane Gustav. This declaration allows
all appropriate resources to be dedicated to the planning associated
with issues pertaining to public safety and health.  Since that
declaration, we have been in constant and close consultation with
personnel in the State and Parish Offices of Homeland Security and
Emergency Preparedness, as well as the local unified command group,
including law enforcement, transportation, relief, medical and other
involved personnel, and the area Mayors and elected officials.

I have issued an order for a voluntary evacuation of all of Lafayette
Parish effective at 2:00 o'clock P.M. today.  This includes all
municipalities and the unincorporated areas in the parish.

I emphasize that this evacuation is voluntary, not mandatory.  However,
unless you are prepared to experience a loss of electricity, water and
other comforts in the potential temperatures for many days, you should
evacuate now.  All citizens are strongly encouraged to immediately take
all steps and actions necessary or proper in order to protect and secure
property and pets and to evacuate to a safe location of their choice,
north of Lafayette Parish.  As the situation develops, additional
actions or orders may be necessary.

While this evacuation order is voluntary, and not mandatory, I strongly
encourage careful consideration to this order, especially as it pertains
to elderly persons, persons in mobile homes or travel trailers, persons
with disabilities or special needs, and persons in low lying areas.  As
is the nature of our citizens, we encourage you to look out for your
neighbors (particularly the elderly or those with special needs) as we
are all in this together.

It is also strongly encouraged that the evacuation be accomplished
immedi-ately, or certainly as soon as practicable, since the later that
you attempt to leave, the more difficult the travel might be due to
volumes of traffic on the highways from other parts of the state.  The
I-49 Contraflow will be implemented at 6:00 o'clock A.M. on Sunday
morning, which will restrict travel on all four lanes in a northerly
direction on I-49 starting at the intersection with I-10.  You should
immediately fill your vehicles with gasoline before entering I-49 as
there is no opportunity to obtain fuel once Contraflow is implemented.

In heeding this order for voluntary evacuation, it is encouraged that
medicines, chargers for cellular telephones and important personal
papers be taken with you.  If possible, contact information should be
provided to a relative or friend in a distant location outside of any
parish subject to an evacuation order.

It is encouraged that all persons evacuating Lafayette Parish should
proceed North on I-49 to a secure destination with friends or relatives
or some other lodging arrangement of your choice.  Individuals with no
predetermined destination should proceed to the shelter information
point at Exit 53, Sammy's Truck Stop, where they will be directed to a
public shelter.

God bless us all.