For the latest track and projected path of Hurricane Gustav from the StormTracker Weather Center, click here. You'll also find up to the minute satellite image loops.

Gustav News Briefs:

HHS Secretary Declares Public Health Emergency for Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today declared a public health emergency to ensure that individuals, including those enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama continue to receive their health care items and services.

Read the full Story Here

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EMERGENCY SHELTER INFORMATION POINTS

• Tourist Welcome Center at U.S. Hwy. 165 and U.S. Hwy. 84, 1401 Carter St. in Vidalia
• Tourist Welcome Center at 836 Interstate 20 West in Tallulah
• Paragon Casino at Paragon Place in Marksville
• Sammy's Truck Stop at Exit 53 on Interstate 49 in Bunkie
• Med Express Office at 7525 U.S. Hwy. 71 in Alexandria
• P.E. Gym, LSU-Shreveport at One University Place in Shreveport
• Pickering High School at 180 Lebleu Rd. in Leesville
• Tourist Information Center at 8904 U.S. Hwy. 165 in Oberlin
• Maddie's Truck Plaza at 15972 La. 1 in Simmesport

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East Jefferson Levee District Closes Northbound and Southbound Lanes of Causeway

KENNER - The East Jefferson Levee District closed the Causeway Bridge over Lake Pontchartrain to both northbound and southbound traffic at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, Aug 31. The Causeway Bridge will remain closed until further notice.

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EKLMC ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF OUTPATIENT CLINICS FOR SEPT 2ND - 3RD

Due to Hurricane Gustav, LSU/Earl K. Long Medical Center announces the closure of the following Outpatient Clinics September 2 & 3, 2008. The clinics are scheduled to re-open for normal business on Thursday, September 4, 2008.

City-Parish Non-Essential Employees Should Not Report to Work on Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Mayor-President Melvin L. "Kip" Holden announces that all non-essential City Parish employees should not report to work on Tuesday , September 2, 2008, due to impending conditions which are anticipated to result from Hurricane Gustav.

All essential personnel should contact their respective department heads to determine if they will be needed to support emergency operations being performed by the City-Parish.  Regular business hours will resume on Wednesday morning when weather conditions and circumstances permit. Questions should be directed to the appropriate department heads and/or supervisors.

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City-Parish Suspends Garbage & Recycling Service for Monday and Tuesday

The Department of Public Works will be suspending garbage and recycling services for Monday, September 1st and Tuesday September 2nd in response to Hurricane Gustav. Also, the Department of Public Works urges all citizens to place their garbage and recycling receptacles in a safe place (inside a closed area, tied down to a tree or fence post, etc.). Debris (bulky waste piles, woody waste piles) in residents’ yards should be secured to withstand high winds and rain. Solid waste services will resume on Wednesday morning when weather conditions and circumstances permit. Questions can be directed to 3-1-1- or (225) 389-3090.

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Allied Waste Services (formerly BFI) will not be serving business accounts Monday and Tuesday.

Allied will also suspend Residential service in the following areas for Monday and Tuesday: City-Parish of East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge Parish, City of Baker, City of Denham Springs, Town of Sorrento and Ascension Parish subscription customers. Colonial Landfill in Ascension Parish will be closed Monday and Tuesday. Service will resume as soon as roads are passable and landfills are open.

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Due to Hurricane Gustav, LSU will remain closed through Wednesday, Sept. 3.

The LSU Child Care Center, the LSU Laboratory School, the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the LSU Agricultural Center Baton Rouge offices will also be closed. LSU AgCenter research stations and extension offices off-campus are to follow the procedures of their local parish governments.

Shelter Open at East Iberville High School

Visit www.stgeorgefire.com for a complete list of fire stations in the parish to which bulk sand and bags have been delivered.

SAND AND BAGS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:

Baton Rouge Fire Station 3150 Brightside
Baton Rouge Fire Station 11010 Coursey
Baton Rouge Fire Station 555 Government
Baton Rouge Fire Station 3820 Gus Young
Baton Rouge Fire Station 4121 Harding
Baton Rouge Fire Station 545 Lobdell
Baton Rouge Fire Station 835 Sharp

Alsen Fire Station 674 Old Rafe Mayer Road
Brownsfield Fire Station 11420 Plank Road
Central Fire Station 10626 Lovett Road
Central Fire Station 4864 Monticello
Central Fire Station 11646 Sullivan Road
Chaneyville Fire Station 22790 Reames
District 6 Fire Station 7878 Prescott
East Side Fire Station 15094 Old Hammond Hwy
Pride Fire Station 20920 Carsons

View detailed instructions for southwest Louisiana contraflow

View the contraflow Map for New Orleans

Louisiana state evacuation guides

Contraflow maps in PDF form from Louisiana State Police

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State Activates Hotline in Advance of Hurricane Gustav

The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) has activated a toll-free number citizens may call to get the latest information regarding Hurricane Gustav. Citizens may dial 1-866-288-2484 to listen to a recorded message with the most up-to-date information state officials have on the storm and preparations for it.

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Important contact information:

Louisiana Emergency Info on Gustav:
www.emergency.louisiana.gov

Get a Game Plan for Gustav:
http://www.getagameplan.org/

Toll-Free Gustav Hotline:
1-866-288-2484

Louisiana Animal Evacuation Information

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A Voluntary evacuation order has been issued to Mobile Home inhabitants in Pointe Coupee Parish.