BATON ROUGE – Governor Bobby Jindal, LSU Head Football Coach Les Miles and rock band Better Than Ezra kicked off state hurricane preparedness efforts today at a press conference at the Governor’s mansion. The Governor announced www.GetAGameplan.org - a website for Louisianians to use to prepare their homes and their families for a potential hurricane this
hurricane season. The Get a Gameplan hurricane preparedness campaign is focused on providing Louisianians with the information and tools they need to prepare for a possible hurricane in their area.

Governor Bobby Jindal said, “We know protecting our homes and our families is the number one obligation of any parent – and this is especially true during hurricane season. The Get a Gameplan campaign works to give Louisianians the information and tools they need to prepare for hurricane season. Families should know their evacuation routes ahead of time, in case they have to evacuate during a storm. They should also have any necessary medicine on hand and a radio to keep track of weather updates, and, of course, plenty of water. We will be taking the Get a Gameplan campaign across South Louisiana in the weeks ahead.”

LSU Coach Les Miles said, “We’d never take the field on a Saturday night in Tiger Stadium without a game plan. Being prepared and having a plan makes sense not only in football, but also in life…and especially in preparing for a hurricane. Getting ready and making a plan now means we will be ready when our opponent or a storm blows through.”

Hurricane season begins on June 1, and officials have predicted that this year will be an above normal hurricane season. Last month, hurricane forecaster Dr. William Gray predicted 15 named storms in the Atlantic in 2008 and a better than average chance that at least one major hurricane will hit the United States.

“We all watch the experts and their predictions. But we know from experience that it doesn’t matter what the numbers are. It only takes one storm to alter the course of history,” added Mark Cooper, director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

“Not only is our office focusing on streamlining recovery dollars to hard-hit areas, but we’re taking a proactive role in getting people prepared before anything happens.”

Band members of Better Than Ezra also spoke about the importance of hurricane readiness today. The band is a New Orleans-based rock group who hit the national scene in the early 1990s with the hit “Good,” and they have been helping in the recovery efforts following the storms of 2005 as well. With their Better Than Ezra Foundation, members Travis McNabb, Tom Drummond and Kevin Griffin have raised more than $500,000 in the past seven years. This year, the band made donations to New Orleans groups totaling $100,000. Governor Jindal awarded the group at the press conference with the “Spirit of Louisiana” award for their
dedication to the recovery and rebuilding of South Louisiana.

Better Than Ezra and Coach Les Miles will also tape public service announcements to be aired on TV in Louisiana this summer to help get out the preparedness message for hurricane season.

During an emergency, crucial state public information may be released through GOHSEP with the help of other state agencies that may be involved in the response actions. Depending on the scope of the emergency or the type of situation, these messages may be initiated by either the parish or state emergency management organizations. During any type of major evacuation in the state, the Louisiana Emergency Alert System will broadcast evacuation information on all participating radio/TV stations for the affected areas.

Governor Jindal also announced today that Louisiana residents can purchase many of their hurricane preparedness items without any state sales tax this weekend during the 2008 Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25. During the two-day holiday, tax-free purchases are allowed for the first $1,500 of the sales price on several items. A
list of these items can be found at www.rev.state.la.us, and many are also listed below:

• Self-powered light sources, such as flashlights and candles;

• Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, and weather-band radios;

• Tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting;

• Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits;

• Gas or diesel fuel tanks;

• Batteries – AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt, or 9-volt (automobile batteries and boat batteries are
  not eligible);

• Cellular phone batteries and chargers;

• Non-electric food storage coolers;

• Portable generators;

• Storm shutter devices – Materials and products manufactured, rated, and marketed
  specifically for the purposes of preventing window damage from storms.

The main supplies needed in case of a hurricane emergency are listed at www.GetAGameplan.org and are also included below:

• A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil.

• One change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket or sleeping bag per
  person.

• A first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.

• Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra
  batteries.

• An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler's checks.

• Sanitation supplies.

• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.

• An extra pair of glasses.

• Important family documents in a portable, waterproof container.

• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels

• Paper and pencil

• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.

• Infant formula and diapers

• Pet food and extra water

Media Contacts:

Allison Morgan
GOHSEP
225-439-3976
ahadley@ohsep.louisiana.gov