Press Release: STATE AGENCIES CONDUCT EXERCISE TO TEST PREPAREDNESS Baton Rouge, LA (March 31, 2012) - Today, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), in partnership with the Louisiana National Guard (LANG), hosted a training exercise to test disaster response capabilities of several state, local and federal agencies. As the 2012 hurricane season approaches, these agencies are evaluating their ability to respond and test their level of preparedness.

Executive Proclamation: STATE OF EMERGENCY - SEVERE WEATHER AND FLOODING Baton Rouge, LA (March 23, 2012) - Whereas, the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, R.S. 29:721, et seq., confers upon the Governor of the State of Louisiana emergency powers to deal with emergencies and disasters, including those caused by fire, flood, earthquake or other natural or manmade causes, in order to ensure that preparations of this state will be adequate to deal with such emergencies or disasters and to preserve the lives and property of the people of the State of Louisiana...

Press Release: UPDATE: STATE AGENCY RESPONSE TO SEVERE WEATHER Baton Rouge, LA (March 22, 2012) - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness' (GOHSEP's) Crisis Action Team (CAT) continues to monitor the weather system that is making its way through Louisiana. GOHSEP support staff remains in the field to assist local offices of emergency preparedness and coordinate resources as needed.

Press Release: GOHSEP SECURES FUNDING FOR DOPPLER RADAR SYSTEM AT ULM Baton Rouge, LA (March 22, 2012) - Today, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) announced a $3 million dollar investment in hazard mitigation grant funding for a Doppler radar system and 48KW generator for backup power. The Doppler radar system and generator will be located at the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM).

Press Release: STATE AGENCIES RESPOND TO SEVERE WEATHER Parishes Declare State of Emergency
Baton Rouge, LA (March 21, 2012) - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness' (GOHSEP's) Crisis Action Team (CAT) is monitoring the severe weather moving through Louisiana. GOHSEP support staff is in the field to assist local offices of emergency preparedness and coordinate resources as needed. Other state agencies are also either assisting or on standby as the weather moves through the state.

Press Release: LOUISIANA BRACES FOR MORE SEVERE WEATHER Baton Rouge, LA (March 20, 2012) - A week after flash flooding inundated parts of Acadiana, rain with possible flooding, damaging winds, tornadoes and hail could impact the state today through the rest of the week. The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is monitoring the weather situation and in contact with local offices of emergency preparedness.

Press Release: STATE AGENCY FLOOD RESPONSE UPDATE Baton Rouge, LA (March 13, 2012) - Today, Governor Bobby Jindal declared a State of Emergency as a result of flooding in Acadia, Lafayette, St. Landry and St. Martin Parishes. The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is preparing to do preliminary damage assessments (PDA's) for those homes and businesses that received damage...

Executive Proclamation: SEVERE WEATHER AND FLOODING STATE OF EMERGENCY - SEVERE WEATHER AND FLOODING
(March 13, 2012) Whereas, the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, R.S. 29:721, et seq., confers upon the Governor of the State of Louisiana emergency powers to deal with emergencies and disasters, including those caused by fire, flood, earthquake or other natural or manmade causes, in order to ensure that preparations of this state will be adequate to deal with such emergencies or disasters and to preserve the lives and property of the people of the State of Louisiana...

Press Release: FLOODING UPDATE Acadia, St. Landry and St. Martin Parishes Declare State of Emergency
Baton Rouge, LA (March 12, 2012) - This afternoon, Acadia, St. Landry and St. Martin parishes joined Lafayette Parish in declaring a State of Emergency as the result of today's flash flooding...

Press Release: STATE ASSISTS CARENCRO WITH FLASH FLOODING Lafayette Parish Declares State of Emergency
BATON ROUGE, LA - (March 12, 2012) - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), Louisiana National Guard (LANG), Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), Louisiana State Police (LSP) and the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) are assisting the City of Carencro after flash flooding impacted the area...

Press Release: LOUISIANA TO ASSIST VIRGINIA BATON ROUGE, LA - (January 4, 2012) - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is sending four disaster recovery staff members to the State of Virginia to assist in recovery efforts for Hurricane Irene. The GOHSEP employees will process information so impacted areas can receive federal...

Press Release: GOHSEP WINS AWARD IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION BATON ROUGE, LA - (December 21, 2011) - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) was recently honored in an international competition for its work in producing materials and holding a special education and outreach event to teach local governing authorities and eligible private nonprofits how to properly procure contracts...

FEMA SEEKS COMMENT ON "LEVEE-INCLUSIVE" METHOD FOR FLOOD MAPPING AND ANALYSIS EFFORTS As part of on-going efforts to reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), FEMA has been working with stakeholders to revise FEMA's process for mapping flood risk with respect to levees. We have determined that an improved approach will enable FEMA to provide maps that more precisely reflect the flood risk experienced by families...

Press Release: GOHSEP ANNOUNCES MID-YEAR REDUCTIONS BATON ROUGE, LA - (December 16, 2011) - Today, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) announced $203,499.81 in mid-year budget reductions. General fund savings include streamlining services in logistics which will be absorbed by existing National Guard and GOHSEP staff, eliminating technology contracts by targeting...

Notice: ACT 290 NOTIFICATION TO SUB GRANTEES (December 16, 2011) - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is responsible for assuring our sub grantees receiving Homeland Security (HLS), Hazard Mitigation (HM), Public Assistance (PA), and Interoperability Grants are in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. In accordance with Act 290 (House Bill 489) of the 2011 Legislative session, the GOHSEP is required to notify its sub grantees of the following:...

Press Release: STATE ASSISTING AS SALTWATER INTRUSION CAUSES PROBLEMS BATON ROUGE, LA - (November 29, 2011) - Today, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) Chairman Garret Graves and Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) Interim Director Pat Santos announced they are increasing efforts to combat saltwater intrusion in Vermilion Parish. Those efforts include urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to expedite repairs of Leland Bowman Locks and evaluate options for a temporary saltwater barrier, working with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) to provide farmers support for damaged crops, and working with local officials...

Press Release: GOHSEP ANNOUNCES PARISH ALLOCATIONS FOR $389.6 MILLION IN NEW HAZARD MITIGATION FUND BATON ROUGE, LA - (November 18, 2011) - Today, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) announced parish allocations for $389.6 million in additional Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds awarded to Louisiana this week by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The allocations are based on parishes...

Press Release: GOHSEP SCHEDULES PUBLIC ASSISTANCE APPLICANT BRIEFINGS FOR T.S. LEE BATON ROUGE, LA - (November 8, 2011) - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) will host applicant briefings this month for damage sustained during Tropical Storm Lee. On October 28, 2011, a major disaster was declared for Tropical Storm Lee which impacted Louisiana September 1-5, 2011 (FEMA-DR-4041). This declaration allows for...

Press Release: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT FIRST NATIONWIDE TEST OF THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM BATON ROUGE, LA - (November 3, 2011) - Today, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) announced the federal government will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. The test will last up to three and a half minutes. During this period, regularly...

Press Release: GOHSEP TAKES STEPS TO PROTECT GRANT FUNDING FOR EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH BATON ROUGE, LA - (October 27, 2011) - Today, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) reallocated federal homeland security grant funding to new parish grants managers in an effort to keep the money in East Baton Rouge Parish. This move is the result of removing the East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (MOHSEP) as the parish grants manager for refusing...

Press Release: LOUISIANA INTEROPERABILITY HIGHLIGHTED IN STUDY BATON ROUGE, LA - (September 22, 2011) - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting Louisiana in a recent case study. The study, conducted by the Office of Emergency Communication (OEC), says Louisiana "has achieved one of the most sophisticated levels of communications usage in the nation" when it comes to interoperable communications among state and local entities...

Press Release: GOHSEP RECEIVES GRANT FOR EMAC DEVELOPMENT BATON ROUGE, LA - (September 20, 2011) - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) division has been awarded a $50,000 grant. The funding will be used to develop response capabilities when Louisiana is called upon to assist other states during emergencies...

Press Release: STATE CONTINUES TO RESPOND TO TROPICAL STORM LEE BATON ROUGE, LA - (September 4, 2011) - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security (GOHSEP) released the following information today on the state's efforts to continue to respond to the effects of Tropical Storm Lee...

Press Release: GOVERNOR JINDAL: STATE CONTINUES TO RESPOND TO TROPICAL STORM LEE BATON ROUGE, LA - (September 3, 2011) - Governor Jindal's office released the following information today on the state's efforts to continue to respond to the effects of Tropical Storm Lee. "We continue to encourage Louisianians to stay alert and monitor local weather conditions in their area. We have severe weather warnings and tornado warnings in effect for parts of the state and residents everywhere need to use extreme caution, especially if driving in the wind and rain.Tropical Storm Lee is moving slowly, as expected, and we are already seeing flooded roads...

Press Release: PARISH DECLARATIONS FOR TROPICAL STORM LEE BATON ROUGE, LA - (September 3, 2011) - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) will continue to update a list of parish emergency declarations for Tropical Storm Lee. The parish declarations serve to activate the response and recovery of local governments. Therefore, when the emergency is beyond the capabilities of a local government, the parish president can request assistance from the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness...

Press Release: GOV. JINDAL SAYS STATE PREPARED FOR TROPICAL STORM LEE URGES RESIDENTS IN SOUTH LOUISIANA TO PREPARE FOR FLOODING BATON ROUGE, LA - (September 2, 2011) - Governor Bobby Jindal held a press conference to update the public on the state's efforts to monitor and prepare for Tropical Storm Lee, following a Unified Command Group meeting with state officials at the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness...

Press Release: UPDATED: GOHSEP TO HOST PUBLIC ASSISTANCE APPLICANT BRIEFINGS FOR MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR SPRING FLOOD EVENT BATON ROUGE, LA - (September 2, 2011) - On August 18, 2011, a major disaster declaration was declared as a result of the Mississippi River flooding during the period of April 25 to July 7, 2011. This declaration will allow for federal funding under the Public Assistance Program...

Press Release: UPDATED: GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR TROPICAL DISTURBANCE INVEST BATON ROUGE, LA - (September 1, 2011) -Today, Governor Bobby Jindal issued the following executive proclamation declaring a state of emergency as a result of the forecasted conditions of Tropical Disturbance Invest (AL-93)...

Press Release: STATE AGENCIES ON ALERT FOR TROPICAL SYSTEM IN GULF BATON ROUGE, LA - (September 1, 2011) - Governor Bobby Jindal held a Unified Command Group (UCG) meeting today to get an update on the tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico. Governor Jindal emphasized that state agencies are prepared to assist coastal parishes should the system develop further and he also encouraged Louisianians to make sure they have a gameplan as the Gulf Coast braces for the height of hurricane season...

Press Release: GOHSEP TO HOST PUBLIC ASSISTANCE APPLICANT BRIEFINGS FOR MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR SPRING FLOOD EVENT BATON ROUGE, LA - (September 1, 2011) - On August 18, 2011, a major disaster declaration was declared as a result of the Mississippi River flooding during the period of April 25 to July 7, 2011. This declaration will allow for federal funding under the Public Assistance Program for Categories "A & B" (Debris removal and emergency response activities) as well as...

Press Release: MARSH FIRE UPDATE BATON ROUGE, LA (August 31, 2011) - State agencies continue to assist Orleans Parish with the marsh burn in a remote area of New Orleans East...

Press Release: PARISHES RECEIVE ASSISTANCE FOR MISSISSIPPI RIVER FLOOD BATON ROUGE, LA (August 31, 2011) - At the request of Governor Bobby Jindal, six parishes impacted by the Mississippi River flood are eligible for disaster assistance under the Small Business Act. The parishes eligible for Small Business Administration (SBA) low interest loans are: Avoyelles, Catahoula. Concordia, Pointe Coupee, Tensas and West Feliciana. The SBA loan is available...

Press Release: LOUISIANA ASSISTS WITH ORLEANS PARISH MARSH FIRE BATON ROUGE, LA (August 29, 2011) - State agencies are helping to respond to a marsh fire located in a remote area in Orleans Parish. The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is in contact with the New Orleans Office of Emergency Preparedness and the National Weather Service which is monitoring wind direction. GOHSEP is also coordinating efforts...

Press Release: STATE AGENCIES CONTINUE TO ASSIST CONCORDIA PARISH BATON ROUGE, LA (August 29, 2011) - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), Louisiana Army National Guard (LANG) and the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) continue to respond to the water shortage in the Town of Ferriday. Today, Ferriday received four more military water tanks in addition to the 14 received last Friday. Ten more water tanks should arrive tomorrow...

Press Release: LOUISIANA TO ASSIST STATE OF MARYLAND BATON ROUGE, LA (August 26, 2011) - Tomorrow, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) will send a two person team to the State of Maryland to assist with response and recovery efforts for Hurricane Irene. The request came from Maryland through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). The GOHSEP employees will be deployed...

Press Release: STATE ASSISTS CONCORDIA PARISH BATON ROUGE, LA (August 24, 2011) - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), Louisiana National Guard (LANG) and Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) are responding to a water shortage in the Town of Ferriday. Today,Ferriday officials requested 14 military water tanks to be placed at various locations:...

Press Release: MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR LOUISIANA BATON ROUGE, LA (August 18, 2011) - At the request of Governor Bobby Jindal, today Louisiana received a major federal disaster declaration for the flood event that occurred April 25-July 7, 2011. This major disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) includes public assistance and hazard mitigation for these 15 parishes:...

Press Release: LOUISIANA TO ASSIST IN MISSOURI TORNADO DISASTER BATON ROUGE, LA (June 6, 2011) - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) deployed two employees to assist with sheltering and donation coordination pertaining to recovery efforts from the tornadoes that ravaged Joplin, Missouri last month. GOHSEP was contacted directly by senior state emergency officials to assist based on the agency's experience in responding to disasters...

Press Release: GOVERNOR JINDAL PROCLAIMS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK BATON ROUGE, LA (May 24, 2011) - Governor Bobby Jindal has proclaimed May 22-28, 2011 Hurricane Preparedness Week (click here to view the Proclamation). The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is encouraging every Louisiana citizen to begin preparing for the 2011 hurricane season...

FEMA Notice: Residents With Flood Insurance Also Affected By Spillway Water May File Claims WASHINGTON DC (May 23, 2011) - Residents who have flood insurance and are affected by the release of spillway water are eligible to file flood insurance claims. Coverage includes both natural and man-made events...

Press Release: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT BATON ROUGE, LA (May 18, 2011) - The Baton Rouge Business Report published an article titled "The Business of Disaster" on Wednesday, May 18^th. Please click the link above for more information about the article...

FEMA Notice: Louisiana; Amendment No. 1 to Notice of a Emergency Declaration WASHINGTON DC (May 13, 2011) - This notice amends the notice of the emergency declaration for the State of Louisiana (FEMA-3322-EM), dated May 6, 2011, and related determinations...

Press Release: President Obama Signs Louisiana Emergency Declaration WASHINGTON DC (May 6, 2011) - The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts in the area struck by flooding beginning on April 25, 2011, and continuing...

Press Release: PRESIDENT DECLARES EMERGENCY FOR LOUISIANA WASHINGTON DC (May 6, 2011) - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal aid has been made available to the state of Louisiana to supplement state and local response efforts in the area struck by flooding beginning on April 25, 2011, and continuing...

Press Release: Gov. Jindal Asks Army Corps to Release Map Outlining Impact of Possible Opening of Morganza Spillway, Says State Continues to Prepare for Flooding BATON ROUGE, LA (May 6, 2011) - Today, Governor Bobby Jindal held a UCG meeting today with state leaders, the National Weather Service and the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss preparations for rising Mississippi River levels. The Governor said he asked the Army Corps to publicly release a map outlining the areas and residents that would be impacted by the possible opening of the Morganza Spillway, which the Corps said could be opened as soon as next Thursday...

Press Release: Governor Jindal Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration, Tells Residents to Stay Informed as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Considers Opening Morganza Spillway BATON ROUGE, LA (May 5, 2011) - Today, Governor Jindal held a UCG meeting of state agency leaders along with federal officials from the US Army Corps of Engineers and the National Weather Service to stress the important actions state agencies are taking in preparation for potential Miss. River flooding and the Corps' possible opening of the Morganza Spillway...

Press Release: Governor Jindal Sends Letter to Dept. of Defense Requesting National Guard BATON ROUGE, LA (May 4, 2011) - Today, Governor Jindal sent the following letter to Department of Defense requesting that the National Guard be utilized - under Federal Title 32 status - to respond to record water levels in Louisiana...

Press Release: GOHSEP ASSISTS STATE OF ALABAMA BATON ROUGE, LA (May 2, 2011) - Today, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is sending additional personnel and its mobile command post to the tornado stricken region of Alabama...

Press Release: LA Continues Preparations for Rising Miss. and Atchafalaya Rivers BATON ROUGE, LA (April 30, 2011) - State and federal agencies in Louisiana continue preparations today for the expected May cresting of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers, as several agencies are involved in a proactive strengthening operation of the Mississippi River levee south of Louisiana State University...

Proclamation: Governor Jindal Declares State of Emergency for Rising Levels of the Mississippi River BATON ROUGE, LA (April 28, 2011) - Today, Governor Jindal declared a state of emergency in preparation for the Mississippi River with predicted river crests well above flood stage...