The Department of Health and Hospitals has developed the website Louisiana Spirit, a recovery hotline for emotional assistance. For information on what help it can provide, click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 5, 2008 If you have sustained damage to your property due to Hurricane Gustav and find yourself in need of professional construction assistance, the Acadian Home Builders Association would like to urge you to take precautions to protect your home and your family. Please keep the following in mind: • Several trades are licensed by the state including residential builders, plumbers, electricians, etc. Ask for documentation and verify a license by checking with the LA State Licensing Board for that trade. • Get written proof of workman’s compensation and general liability insurance. Check the expiration date on the certificate and even call the agent to verify that the insurance is in force. • Get at least three bids from local reputable contractors – in writing and signed by the contractor. Remember, if the price is too good to be true, it probably is. • Ask for references and check them. Inquire, “Was the work completed on time and to satisfaction?” • Get a signed contract on all work to be performed, this should include scope of work, price, addresses, phone numbers and signatures of all parties • Ask about warranties/guarantees. Get any warranties in writing and signed. Be sure that contact information, such as phone numbers, address, etc. is included. • Ask for payment terms. DO NOT PAY CASH. Give no more than 10% for an initial payment and be sure that all work is completed before making final payment. • Obtain paid invoices and/or lien waivers for labor and materials for work performed. • Be sure that all proper permits, if required, are purchased. You may want to contact the local code authority in your area to check. A reputable contractor will not hesitate to provide you with this information. Should you have questions or need more help contact the Acadian Home Builders Association at 337-981-3053.  

Donate at United Blood Services, 1503 Bertrand Drive in Lafayette. All blood types are currently at critical level. With the increase number of patients in our local hospitals, we are seeing an increase in blood usage. Donations can not seem to keep up with the demand. United Blood Services is located at 1503 Bertrand Drive, corner of Dulles and Bertrand. Hours: Mon, Tues and Thurs: 8am-5:30pm, Wed: 8am-6:30pm, Fri: 8:00am-4:30pm, Sat: 8am-12pm. Call 337-235-LIFE for more information.  

Cajun Area Agency on Aging has a toll free # 800-738-2256. THE CAA assists seniors and adults with disabilities in locating services. They find and ensure that services are received. 

The web site provides a wealth of information including fuel stations that are open selling fuel, etc. Any individual viewing the site can click at the bottom and add open fuel stations that they know about to the list. The web site also has a multitude of other information on it. It also provides curfew information for parishes, as well as road closures, credentialing, volunteering information, shelter information, requests for federal aid, etc. Click here to view.

The Louisiana Rebuilds homepage has updates and resources related to Hurricane Gustav. To see what information is available,  click here.

The Community Foundation of Acadiana has developed The Gustav South Louisiana Recovery Fund, which will help meet the immediate and long-term needs of the region impacted by Gustav. Donors can make a donation online at www.cfacadiana.org or by calling a toll-free number 1-866-627-3440. In an effort to remain responsive during the hours of the storm, the Community Foundation of Acadiana has partnered with a foundation based in Kansas City, Greater Horizons, to administer the Community Foundation of Acadiana’s Gustav South Louisiana Recovery Fund. All money given will support hurricane relief efforts. 

Operation Reconnect starts at noon today (Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008) to reconnect families with loved ones who evacuated to shelters. For more information, please call 800-957-1601. 

This fund is designated to Gustav disaster response and recovery. United Way of Acadiana has activated the fund to provide citizens, both locally and nationally, an opportunity to give to needs after the storm. Financial donations to the fund can be made by calling 337-706-1229, delivery to United Way of Acadiana offices at 215 E. Pinhook Road, or by mail to P.O. Box 52033, Lafayette, LA 70505 or at any Acadiana area United Way office. Please make check donations payable to the United Way of Acadiana Disaster Response Fund. You can designate a parish in the Memo field, if you like. Donations are tax deductible.  

United Way of Acadiana Volunteer Center has erected a Volunteer Command Center to coordinate volunteer information and efficiently match volunteer skills to specific efforts in the Acadiana area. Area nonprofit organizations in need of volunteers are also urged to call 706-1207 and report recovery needs. Volunteers are urged to call the United Way of Acadiana Volunteer Center and exercise caution by staying off roadways until further notice by local law enforcement. 

Multiple ways to inform/get info on relatives evacuating due to Gustov. FEMA has the National Emergency Family Registry Locator at www.fema.gov. The American Red Cross has developed the "Safe and Well List" for evacuees to register themselves and let their loved ones know they are ok. Family members can also search the database to find loved ones. For more info or to register, click here.

Red Cross Helpline: Call 1-866-GET-INFO (1-866-438-4636). The Disaster Action Team (DAT) is organized by our chapter to ensure trained Red Cross volunteers can respond immediately to Single Family and Local Disasters shortly after a disaster occurs. DATs provide immediate, identifiable emergency services to those affected by disaster. For information and to volunteer your services Click here.

Sometimes after a natural disaster, there are some businesses who attempt to take advantage of the situation by over-pricing necessities. The State Attorney General has developed a website for citizens to report price gouging. You can call 1-800-351-4889, or visit the website by clicking here.

If you want to help in the recovery efforts following the damaging effects of Gustav, there's a website to help organize efforts called volunteerlouisiana.gov. For more details, click here

Louisiana leaders have joined with aidmatrixnetwork.org to help direct donations to needed areas around the state. Find out more you can call 211 on your phone or click here