Aug 27, 2008
Governor Jindal Issues Letter Requesting Pre-Landfall Federal Disaster Declaration

BATON ROUGE – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal issued the following letter to the federal government requesting a pre-landfall federal disaster declaration in preparation for Hurricane Gustav, which could potentially make landfall in Louisiana by early next week.

August 27, 2008

The President
The White House
Washington, D.C.

Through: Regional Director
               FEMA Region VI
               800 North Loop
               Denton, TX

Dear Mr. President:

Under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. Sections 5121-5206 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR Section 206.36, Subparts B and C, I request that you declare a major disaster declaration for the state of Louisiana as a result of Hurricane Gustav effective August 27, 2008.  According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Gustav is projected to strike the eastern coastal parishes of Louisiana.  The state began emergency protective measures on August 27, 2008, and is continuing.

In response to the situation, I have taken appropriate action under state law and have declared a state-wide state of emergency on August 27, 2008.  Furthermore, I have directed the execution of the State Emergency Plan on that day in support of the state-wide emergency declaration in accordance with Section 401 of the Stafford Act.  A copy of the declaration of the state of emergency is attached.

I anticipate that the effects of the storm will overwhelm the capability of state resources and it is necessary that critical pre-positioning and other readiness requirements be provided through federal assistance. I request that federal resources be activated to assist with the evaluation of the incident and sheltering operations.

Pursuant to 44 CFR § 206.35, I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and affected local governments, and that supplementary federal assistance is necessary to save lives and to protect property, public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster.  I am specifically requesting Public Assistance Category B Emergency Protective Measures to include Direct Federal Assistance statewide to address risk and host parish actions.

The following information is furnished on the nature and amount of state and local resources that have been or will be used to alleviate the conditions of this emergency:

• Department of Transportation is activating the state’s bus contract which will provide 700 buses to evacuate the population from at risk areas.
  
• Louisiana State Police is managing contra-flow evacuation routes.
  
• Department of Transportation has executed the truck contract to provide for evacuation of pets in the city of New Orleans.
  
• Department of Corrections will begin relocating prisoners from at risk areas on Friday, August 29, 2008.
  
• Department of Agriculture and Forestry is prepared to activate pet shelters.
  
• Department of Health and Hospitals has executed its emergency evacuation plan and is requesting ambulances.
  
• Louisiana National Guard has activated 3000 troops to perform prior scripted missions which include the transportation of logistics, security, assistance with contra-flow and search and rescue.
  
• The Department of Social Services is prepared to execute its shelter plan.
  
• The city of New Orleans has made preparations to execute its city evacuation plan, which includes an additional 130 buses at approximately H-65 hours.
  
• The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has activated its Emergency Operations Center at a Level 3.

The following information is furnished on efforts and resources of other Federal agencies, which have been or will be used in response to this incident:

• FEMA Warm Cell is currently located at the JFO in Baton Rouge and is assisting the state in preparation of Hurricane Gustav.

I certify that for this emergency, the state and local governments will assume all applicable non-Federal share of costs required by the Stafford Act.

In accordance with 44 CFR Section 206.208, the state of Louisiana agrees that it will, with respect to direct Federal assistance:

1. Provide without cost to the United States all lands, easements and rights-of-way necessary to accomplish the approved work;
   
2. Hold and save the United States free from damages due to the requested work, and shall indemnify the Federal Government against any claims arising from such work;
   
3. Provide reimbursement to FEMA for the non-Federal share of the cost of such work in accordance with the provisions of the FEMA-State Agreement; and
   
4. Assist the performing Federal agency in all support and local jurisdictional matters.

I have designated Mark Cooper as the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR) and Fred Palmer as the Alternate GAR.  I have designated Mark Riley as the State Coordinating Officer (SCO) and Mark DeBosier as the Alternate SCO for this request.  Messrs. Cooper, Palmer, Riley and DeBosier will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in damage assessments and may provide further information or justification on my behalf.

Sincerely,

Bobby Jindal
Governor