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Predictions
Each year, several meteorological agencies publish their predictions for the frequency and fury of the current hurricane season. Below, four such agencies speculate on the number of storms which will reach naming strength, the number of those turning into hurricanes and the amount of hurricanes to become major threats.
Source Named Hurricanes Major Hurricanes
Colorado State/ 14 7 3
Bill Gray
Weather Research Center 7 4 0
Weather Services Inc. 13 7 3
Accuweather 13 8 2
Names
Ana
Bill
Claudette
Danny
Erika
Fred
Grace
Henri
Ida
Joaquin
Kate
Larry
Mindy
Nicholas
Odette
Peter
Rose
Sam
Teresa
Victor
Wanda
Be Prepared
Besides keeping fresh flash light batteries in the house and an ax in the attic, there are several other ways to prepare for a potential hurricane emergency.
Renew Plaquemines reentry placard
At this time, the Plaquemines Parish Government is renewing reentry placards for businesses and key employees to gain immediate reentry into the parish following an evacuation. Bring last year’s placard to the third floor of the government building in Belle Chasse for a renewal decal. Office open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. This is only for renewals. Newly issued placards dates will be announced in the future.
Pre-register for emergency food stamps
All low- to moderate-income Louisianians may be eligible for Disaster Food Stamp benefits in the event of a natural disaster and should pre-apply for benefits online or by phone beginning June 1. Current Food Stamp recipients do not need to pre-apply and would receive disaster benefits automatically.
http://www.dss.state.la.us/
MORE INFO: LaWanda Smith
Resource Specialist
VIA LINK 2-1-1
P. O. Box 15409
New Orleans, LA 70175
Ph: 504.896.2007
Fax: 504.708.4033
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SAINT DREW BREES VISITS TROOPS AT NAS |
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By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW/SW) Shawn D. Graham, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans Public Affairs
The star quarterback for the New Orleans Saints paid a visit to the Sailors assigned to Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans May 14.
Drew Brees said that he has a close relationship with the military and that he appreciated everything the local military has achieved and continues to accomplish.
“It is a distinct honor,” said Brees. “It’s not every day you can go and thank the people who protect you.”
Brees is no stranger to the military, having participated last summer in the National Football League’s USO tour of the Middle East. Brees visited troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan. This trip was another example of his desire to give back.
“This is a great honor,” said Brees. “The military sacrifices a lot on our behalf and visiting them is special to me, too.”
Many of the Sailors in attendance got autographs and photographs of Brees, but none were more excited than Yeoman 3rd Class Jamaiel Dickerson.
Dickerson, a native of Austin, Texas, and a former University of Houston football player, grew up in Brees’ hometown and had some of the same high school coaches.
“He is a great example of hard work paying off,” said Dickerson. “They always said he was too small or too short, and he is now one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the Saints. I can’t wait to see what he does this upcoming season.”
In Brees’ five years with the San Diego Chargers and three years with the New Orleans Saints, he has been elected to three Pro Bowls while being named 2004 Comeback player of the Year, 2006 All-Pro Team, 2006 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recipient, and 2008 NFL Offensive Player of the Year. |
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HEITMEIER FIGHTS GAS PRICE GOUGING DUR EMERGENCIES |
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Everyone has to make sacrifices when governing authorities in this state are recommending that people flee their homes for their own safety.
- Senator David Heitmeier
District 7 State Senator David Heitmeier (D-New Orleans) is fighting to protect consumers from gasoline price gouging during hurricanes and other emergencies. Senate Bill 272, which will effectively put a cap on the wholesale price of gasoline during declared states of emergency, made it through the first step in the legislative process when it received approval from the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.
Testimony during the committee hearing revealed that the Attorney General’s office does not have the authority to enforce gasoline price gouging at the wholesale level. This bill will correct the problem and save consumers tens of millions of dollars during an emergency like a hurricane.
“During Hurricane Gustav I witnessed firsthand the price of gas go up $1.20 overnight and decided then I was going to do what I could to stop that kind of situation,” said Heitmeier. “I think it’s simply unfair that during evacuations the gas refineries are allowed to inflate the price of gasoline. I’m particularly concerned that the Attorney General doesn’t have the authority to enforce gas price gouging. Everyone has to make sacrifices when governing authorities in this state are recommending that people flee their homes for their own safety. I firmly believe that when emergency officials are recommending citizens fill up their tanks and artificially inflating the demand for gasoline, the gas companies should not be allowed to take advantage of the situation. Senate Bill 272 will allow us to work with the industry to put an end to this.”
Senate Bill 272 puts a cap of 10 percent above the average price of gasoline for the 30 days prior to a declared state of emergency unless gas producers can show proof of an increase in supply costs. The legislation calls for the cap to last for the first 20 days of the declaration or until the declared state is over, whichever is less. Heitmeier said that time frame should allow motorists to evacuate and return home without being subjected to artificial or inflated gas prices. |
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