Jindal authorizes Guard mobilization as needed for T.S. Karen

Declaring a state of emergency, Governor Bobby Jindal Thursday afternoon authorized the mobilization of 650 Guardsmen to state active duty to respond to Tropical Storm Karen as needed.

Additionally, Maj. Gen. Glenn H. Curtis, adjutant general of the LANG, has directed the recall of up to 520 Louisiana National Guard technicians from furlough to support this emergency. The LANG has more than 7,000 Soldiers and Airmen ready  if needed during this emergency.

Tthe LANG is preparing to mobilize search and rescue assets, communications teams, security forces, and deploy National Guard Liaisons to parish emergency operations centers in the storm warning areas. Commodities distribution personnel are being mobilized, while emergency commodities, such as water and MREs, are presently staged in warehouses ready to be utilized and distributed as required for emergency relief operations following the potential impact of the storm.

The LANG is in direct coordination with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), as well as other state and local agencies, to anticipate any possible emergency requirements and support that the storm may generate.

As the storm develops over the next 24 hours, the LANG will continue its planning and preparations while staging personnel and resources as necessary.

Louisiana State Police  urged citizens across Louisiana to remain informed and prepare for the possible impact of Tropical Storm Karen which has formed in the Gulf of Mexico.

It was located near the Yucatan Peninsula at that time. A hurricane watch has been posted from Grand Isle, LA to Indian Pass, FL. A tropical storm watch is posted from Morgan City, LA to Grand Isle, LA. The National Hurricane Center has given the system a 70 percent chance of development within the next 48 hours. 

Karen could strengthen into a lower end Category 1 hurricane, but weaken back to tropical storm levels prior to landfall. 

For information on road closures and evacuations, citizens can sign up for free Nixle alerts by visiting www.nixle.com and selecting Louisiana State Police as your agency. In addition, the new Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and other important information can be found at www.getagameplan.org.