BATON ROUGE, La. – In anticipation of a potential impact to Louisiana, Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Dean continues its progress across the Caribbean Sea. She has also requested a Presidential Emergency Declaration to ensure Federal assets are available to Louisiana prior to the potential landfall of Dean.

“These declarations are a necessary step that allows the state to move quickly if need be,” Governor Blanco said.  “I urge all citizens to be personally prepared, listen to your local officials and monitor your local media as this storm progresses.  Please make sure your plans to get to safety should evacuation be in order.  Be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness activated its Crisis Action Team (CAT) Thursday to monitor the storm and provide updates to parish, state and federal partners as the storm develops. Saturday morning, GOHSEP will upgrade its level of readiness by activating personnel from critical state agencies working within the Emergency Operations Center. Those state agencies include Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana National Guard, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, the Louisiana Department of Social Services and the Division of Administration.

Due to the potential threat to Louisiana posed by Hurricane Dean, those agencies will begin manning their respective positions on a 24 hour basis as of 8 a.m. Saturday morning.

“Louisiana is prepared.  We will keep a close eye on Hurricane Dean throughout the weekend,” said GOHSEP Director Jeff Smith.  “I want to remind our citizens to also do their part and prepare.  I strongly urge our citizens to pick up an evacuation guide and begin planning for your family’s safety should this or a future storm head toward Louisiana.”  

To read the Governor’s emergency declaration and letter to President Bush, visit www.gov.state.la.us.