From SWLA/Lake Charles CVB:
We are continuing to assess damages our local hospitality partners sustained during Hurricane Ike. The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau building located at 1205 North Lakeshore Dr. in Lake Charles received minor water damage from Hurricane Ike. We currently have a crew cleaning up the building and hope to reopen it to the public by the end of this week. We will continue to keep this blog updated as we gain more information on the status of the building.
In the meantime, we are working remotely from a hotel property in Sulphur. We can all be reached via e-mail and this blog site. Our Web site, http://www.visitlakecharles.org/, is also being updated as we receive information.
For Administration:
Shanna Landry, Director of Administration
slandry@visitlakecharles.org
For Sales:
Tico Soto, Director of Sales
tsoto@visitlakecharles.org
For Communications:
Katie Harrington, Public Relations Manager
kharrington@visitlakecharles.org
For Tourist Information:
Melissa Serrano, Tourist Information Manager
mserrano@visitlakecharles.org
Monday, September 15, 2008
Monroe availabilities
There is a handful of availabilities at: Days Inn, Motel 6 West Monroe, Hilton Garden Inn, La Quinta, Atrium Hotel, one at Rose Lee Inn B&B (has 28 stairs), and possibly a few more.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Hurricane Ike update
The LTPA office will close at 3 p.m. this afternoon (9.12.08) and will resume normal business hours Monday, September 15th.
Please see below for more updates around the state:
- Visit Baton Rouge offices will close at 1:00 pm on Friday September 12, 2008 and are scheduled to reopen normal business hours on September 15th.Home games for LSU and Southern University will be played at their normally scheduled times on September 13th.Currently, there are no hotel rooms available in the Baton Rouge area. For current information, log on to http://www.visitbatonrouge.com/.
- No hotel availability along I-12 and I-55 corridors in Tangipahoa Parish/Hammond area at this time. Some cabin availability at Yogi Bear Jellystone Park, Hwy. 445, Robert, LA --- call 985.542.1507. Utility crews occupying hotels/campgrounds until Hurricane Ike passes. Tangipahoa Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau will post a lodging availability update Monday, September 15, 2008. For more information, please call Tangipahoa Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800.542.7520.
- There is availability in Sabine. For more detailed information please visit www.toledobendlakecountry.com
Hurricane Ike update
- The Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission (Abbeville, Delcambre, Erath, Gueydan, Kaplan, Maurice) will close at noon on Friday, September 12 and will remain closed until all advisories have been lifted and it is safe to reopen.For up-to-date information on hotel room availability and other tourist related news, please visit www.MostCajun.com
- Some rooms have opened up in Natchitoches for Friday and Saturday. Meat Pie Festival was canceled for this weekend and will be rescheduled. The NSU vs Grambling game has been rescheduled for Sunday at 2pm. Please call the CVB at 800-259-1714 for local hotel numbers. Do not call the national toll free numbers for availability.
- Limited hotel availability in the following areas:
Monroe
New Orleans
West Feliciana (B & B's have power) - Vinton Welcome Center is closed until further notice
- U.S. 61 St. Francisville Welcome Center has re-opened
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Shreveport hotel availability
There are currently no vacancies in Shreveport until the early part of next week. To stay updated on room availabilities in the Shreveport area please visit.
http://blogs.louisianasotherside.com/Tarah/
http://blogs.louisianasotherside.com/Tarah/
Southwest Louisiana hotel availability and closures
For the latest updates and hotel availability in the Southwest/Lake Charles region please visit http://www.swlacvb.blogspot.com/
From the Southwest Louisiana Wildlife Refuge Complex:Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex Closing September 11, 2008, effective6: 00AM due to Hurricane Ike. Sabine, Lacassine, Cameron Prairie and Shell Keys National Wildlife Refuges will be closed to all public access and recreational uses as of 6:00 am September 11, 2008. For the safety of the public and the refuge employees, all the refuge entrance gates will be closed at 6:00 am. This action corresponds with a Cameron Parish decision to implement a mandatory evacuation for all of Cameron Parish. The refuge will re-open when the Parish lifts the mandatory evacuation and it is determined safe to re-enter the Refuge marshes after the storm passes and damages, if any, are assessed.
From the Southwest Louisiana Wildlife Refuge Complex:Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex Closing September 11, 2008, effective6: 00AM due to Hurricane Ike. Sabine, Lacassine, Cameron Prairie and Shell Keys National Wildlife Refuges will be closed to all public access and recreational uses as of 6:00 am September 11, 2008. For the safety of the public and the refuge employees, all the refuge entrance gates will be closed at 6:00 am. This action corresponds with a Cameron Parish decision to implement a mandatory evacuation for all of Cameron Parish. The refuge will re-open when the Parish lifts the mandatory evacuation and it is determined safe to re-enter the Refuge marshes after the storm passes and damages, if any, are assessed.
Oak Alley resumes normal business hours
Although debris is on the ground, Oak Alley is making significant progress with their clean up. The alley of trees, mansion and other buildings are all in tact. Electricity has been restored. With the forecast taking Ike in the opposite direction, they have resumed normal business hours and are welcoming guests.
Preparing for Hurricane Ike
In preparation for any effects from Hurricane Ike, mandatory evacuations have been ordered in Cameron Parish as well as for low-lying residents and those in mobile homes or with special needs in Calcasieu Parish. Other mandatory evacuations include Erath, Delcambre and parts of Vermilion below La. 14. Grand Isle and Lafourche Parish south of the Theriot floodgates are also under mandatory evacuation.
Voluntary evacuations are in place in low-lying areas of Allen, Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes.
Jeff Davis Parish officials are recommending people in low-lying areas, mobile homes and areas that could be damaged by tropical storm force winds to find safe shelter. This includes special medical needs persons.
SWLA/Lake Charles CVB will be closed Friday and is scheduled to reopen Monday.
Voluntary evacuations are in place in low-lying areas of Allen, Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes.
Jeff Davis Parish officials are recommending people in low-lying areas, mobile homes and areas that could be damaged by tropical storm force winds to find safe shelter. This includes special medical needs persons.
SWLA/Lake Charles CVB will be closed Friday and is scheduled to reopen Monday.
Closures due to Gustav
Due to damage from Hurricane Gustav the following businesses will be closed temporarily:
Mulate's Breaux Bridge - closed four to six weeks for repairs
McGee's Landing
US 61 St. Francisville Welcome Center
Kentwood I-55 Welcome Center
Atchafalaya Welcome Center
River Road African American Museum - anticipate getting power restored September 17; please call ahead to ensure they are open before visiting. Please note their email address has changed to kathe@africanamericanmuseum.org. All other contact information remains the same.
Mulate's Breaux Bridge - closed four to six weeks for repairs
McGee's Landing
US 61 St. Francisville Welcome Center
Kentwood I-55 Welcome Center
Atchafalaya Welcome Center
River Road African American Museum - anticipate getting power restored September 17; please call ahead to ensure they are open before visiting. Please note their email address has changed to kathe@africanamericanmuseum.org. All other contact information remains the same.
LED launches call center for Louisiana's hurricane-impacted businesses
LED has established two tools for Louisiana's hurricane-affected businesses to acquire information about available business recovery assistance.
The LED Business Recovery Call Center was created to provide recovery-related resources and contacts for businesses requiring assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. The call center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1.877.610.3LED (3533). Information on business recovery needs will be collected from callers, and LED will send alerts on new programs and resources as they become available.
LED's web site has been updated with relevant business assistance links (FEMA, SBA). The information on the site, which also can be accessed at LouisianaForward.com/BizHelp, will be updated with new resources as they become available. Interested businesses can also sign up for email alerts about assistance available in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav.
The LED Business Recovery Call Center was created to provide recovery-related resources and contacts for businesses requiring assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. The call center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1.877.610.3LED (3533). Information on business recovery needs will be collected from callers, and LED will send alerts on new programs and resources as they become available.
LED's web site has been updated with relevant business assistance links (FEMA, SBA). The information on the site, which also can be accessed at LouisianaForward.com/BizHelp, will be updated with new resources as they become available. Interested businesses can also sign up for email alerts about assistance available in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Message points from Louisiana Office of Tourism
Suggested Message Points
- People of LA once again proved their resiliency and courage
- Grateful that preparation paid off (evacuation, levees, communication)
- Historic evacuation – first time all of south Louisiana evacuated
No panic, orderly evacuation of residents and tourists alike - Very little flooding in New Orleans, unlike Katrina
Thanks to the thousands who are working tirelessly to restore service quickly
and efficiently - Most Louisiana cities are open for business
- For latest information, http://www.louisianatravel.com/ or call 1-800-44-GUMBO or 1-866-288-2484
- Every state has its challenges when it comes to weather events
Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, blizzards
Important thing is we are alert, we are prepared
It takes more than a force of nature to change the quality of life, for residents and
visitors alike, that is unique to Louisiana
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Evacuee lodging assistance info for hotels
As we experienced in 2005/2006 with Katrina, FEMA has again created a Lodging Assistance Program for individual evacuees.
THIS TIME IT IS DIFFERENT !!
Unlike last time, where all evacuees were covered simply with their FEMA number, evacuees must be APPROVED for lodging assistance.
Before you can be assured of receiving payment for your rooms, you must secure authorization that your evacuee has been approved.
Step one is for you to register your property with Corporate Lodging Consultants in the Lodging Assistance Program. You can do this by going to www.corplodging.com/ELA or calling 866.545.9865.
Once registered you must also be sure that anyone seeking FEMA lodging assistance has FEMA approval for lodging and a lodging assistance authorization number.
YOU WILL ONLY BE PAID FOR THOSE WITH FEMA AUTHORIZATION NUMBERS.
Should you have any questions feel free to call Natasha Carr with the Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association at 504.525.9326.
THIS TIME IT IS DIFFERENT !!
Unlike last time, where all evacuees were covered simply with their FEMA number, evacuees must be APPROVED for lodging assistance.
Before you can be assured of receiving payment for your rooms, you must secure authorization that your evacuee has been approved.
Step one is for you to register your property with Corporate Lodging Consultants in the Lodging Assistance Program. You can do this by going to www.corplodging.com/ELA or calling 866.545.9865.
Once registered you must also be sure that anyone seeking FEMA lodging assistance has FEMA approval for lodging and a lodging assistance authorization number.
YOU WILL ONLY BE PAID FOR THOSE WITH FEMA AUTHORIZATION NUMBERS.
Should you have any questions feel free to call Natasha Carr with the Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association at 504.525.9326.
Food Relief Efforts Following Gustav
The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA), is assisting Gov. Jindal's office with food relief in Lafourche, Terrebonne, Ascension/southern Livingston and Pointe Coupee Parishes - the hardest hit areas.
If you have a commissary in the southern part of Louisiana or a mobile kitchen, and are interested in contracting with the state, please register online as a potential vendor to expedite the process.
http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osp/vendorcenter/docs/vendorregistration.pdf
If you have the means to assist in food relief, please call Camille Conaway in Gov. Jindal's office at 225.342.7015.
Many LRA members are already assisting in the recovery. The LRA is compiling a list of all members helping the community as a result of Hurricane Gustav and would like to recognize you for your work. Please email or call Wendy Waren at wendyw@LRA.org or 504. 454.2277.
If you have a commissary in the southern part of Louisiana or a mobile kitchen, and are interested in contracting with the state, please register online as a potential vendor to expedite the process.
http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osp/vendorcenter/docs/vendorregistration.pdf
If you have the means to assist in food relief, please call Camille Conaway in Gov. Jindal's office at 225.342.7015.
Many LRA members are already assisting in the recovery. The LRA is compiling a list of all members helping the community as a result of Hurricane Gustav and would like to recognize you for your work. Please email or call Wendy Waren at wendyw@LRA.org or 504. 454.2277.
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