Mississippi state of Emergency declared at 5 PM for Rita

[Dick Pache]

CONTACT: MEMA
Lea Stokes (601) 352-9100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 22, 2005


STATE OF EMERGENCY ISSUED FOR HURRICANE RITA

Jackson, MS – At the request of Governor Haley Barbour, Lt. Governor Amy Tuck today signed a State of Emergency for the State of Mississippi due to the changing path of Hurricane Rita.

“I urge all Mississippians to please take this storm seriously. Now is the time to prepare yourself, your family and your friends,” Governor Barbour said.

Governor Barbour is in Washington, D.C., meeting with congressional and administration leaders in efforts to detail the federal government's financial commitment to help South Mississippi recover and rebuild in the wake of devastating damages inflicted by Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29.

As for the new storm Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) officials urge all Mississippi residents to prepare for the possibility that Hurricane Rita could cause heavy rains, flooding and even tornadoes throughout portions of the state once the storm makes landfall sometime Friday or Saturday.

MEMA officials began conference calls earlier today with county emergency management officials to prepare for any voluntary or mandatory evacuation orders that may be issued by local officials. County officials are prepared to begin opening shelters as needed.

Residents are urged to be prepared with the following items:

• Water - Store at least one gallon of water per person per day.
• Food - Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water.
• First Aid Kit - Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. Be sure to include prescription drugs and insulin.
• Tools and Emergency Supplies – Include a battery-operated radio, flashlight, extra batteries, a manual can opener, sanitation items, feminine supplies, garbage bags, paper plates and cups and plastic utensils.
• Clothing and Bedding - Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person and blankets.
• Special Items - Remember family members with special needs such as infants and elderly or disabled persons. Also keep a copy of important family documents, such as insurance policies, social security cards, an inventory of valuable household goods, family records and bank account information in a waterproof container.


For traffic information, motorists are urged to call the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Traffic Information line at: 601-359-7017.

For more information on Hurricane Rita, go to MEMA’s Web site at http://www.msema.org <http://www.msema.org/> or listen to your local Mississippi Public Radio station.

http://www.msema.org/newsreleases/docum ... rgency.doc

[dixiebreeze]

Barbour is on the ball. He's one of the few bright lights in this awful Hurricane season.

[Ixolib]

Barbour is on the ball. He's one of the few bright lights in this awful Hurricane season.

Agree... And I wonder if he knows something the public doesn't??

[artist]

Seems to me Tx has been as well...

[la tempesta]

Seems to me Tx has been as well...

Exactly why dixiebreeze used the word few instead of only

[dixiebreeze]

Seems to me Tx has been as well...

Exactly why dixiebreeze used the word few instead of only

Exactly right, la tempesta. Also coming to mind are Honore, Gov. Rick Perry, Gov. Jeb Bush, Pres. Bush, The Salvation Army, church relief groups, National Guard, our military, and the list goes on --- notable for those NOT included.