9:30 a.m. Aug. 28, 2011


MEMA Shelter Update

PEARL— Residents evacuating from the Gulf Coast can stay in 14 shelters open currently as Tropical Storm Isaac continues its move toward Mississippi and Louisiana.

MEMA Executive Director Robert Latham urges residents to finalize their evacuation plans, as coastal Mississippi could see tropical storm force winds beginning tonight or early Tuesday morning.

Latham also urges residents to stay with friends and family when possible, leaving public shelters available to those who have no other place to go.

A list of shelter openings follows. Residents should monitor local media outlets for updates.

George County:
George County High School: 9286 Old Highway 63 South, Lucedale.
George County Senior Citizens Center: 7102 Highway 198E, Lucedale.
Forrest County:
Forrest County community shelter: 946 Sullivan Road, Hattiesburg. Pet-friendly shelter.
Hancock County:
Kiln shelter: 18320 Highway 43, Kiln.
Dedeaux shelter: 1095 Road 350, Kiln.
Harrison County:
Lobouy/361: 9509 Lobouy Road, Pass Christian.
Saucier-Lizana Road shelter: 23771 Saucier-Lizana Road, Saucier.
County Farm: 15035 County Farm Road, Gulfport.
Harrison Central High School: 15600 School Road. Pet-friendly shelter.
Hinds County:
New Horizon Gym: 1779 Ellis Ave. Jackson.
Jackson County:
St. Martin High School.
Vancleave High School. Pet-friendly shelter
East Central High School.
Marion County:
Woodlawn United Pentecostal Church: 1452 Highway 98 East.

MEMA updates shelter information as it becomes available. Shelter updates may also be available from the Mississippi Red Cross at www.mississippi-redcross.org. This website also lists what items evacuees should bring to a Red Cross Shelter.

For preparedness information, visit www.msema.org. Like MEMA on Facebook and follow Twitter updates using the handle @MSEMA
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The offices of the Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association have taken steps to prepare for Tropical Storm Isaac and encourage individuals in potential affected areas to be prepared. For people with memory loss, a disruption like this can be tremendously stressful and confusing and can overload the mental ability of the person to act rationally. The Alzheimer’s Association has a variety of resources to provide education and assistance. Further information can be found on the Alzheimer’s Association Web site at www.alz.org.

After Hurricane Katrina, many people with dementia were displaced because they had no identification on them. The Alzheimer’s Association encourages enrollment in MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return® by calling the toll free number at 1-888-572-8566. Persons can be enrolled immediately and given a number for identification. Those who are already enrolled should be sure that their information is current.

Persons who have a family member in a long-term care facility should contact that facility and ask for information on its disaster and evacuation plan. Details about where the facility plans to take the residents and what type of identification the loved one will have on them should be obtained.

Additional assistance is available by contacting the 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 for information and resources.

The Alzheimer’s Association office in Jackson urges everyone to take the steps needed to ensure the safety of all family members.

Patty Dunn
Executive Director
Alzheimer's Association Mississippi Chapter

Pearl – State and county emergency management officials are prepositioning supplies to help Gulf Coast residents as Tropical Storm Isaac moves closer to the state.

The National Guard has activated 1,500 guardsmen.

The state delivered 84,000 sandbags to Southern Mississippi counties and has 20,000 sandbags ready to be distributed as needed. Sandbags requested include:
· 30,000 by Jackson County.
· 3,000 by Forrest County.
· 5,000 by Lamar County.

Other items ready to be distributed after Tropical Storm Isaac hits:

· Five trucks of water were delivered.
· 20 trucks of water are order.
· 400 tarps delivered to Wilkinson County.
· 100 tarps delivered to Lamar County.
· 100 tarps delivered to Forrest County.
· 42 cots delivered to Pearl River County.
· 84 cots delivered to Forrest County.
· Three generators requested by Wilkinson County.
· One generator requested by Harrison County.
· No ice has been requested as this time.

For preparedness information, visit www.msema.org. Like MEMA on Facebook and follow Twitter updates using the handle @MSEMA

Anyone need this help?

Good Morning Donna! if you know of any churches, gyms, fellowship halls that will be serving as shelters for families evacuating- please inbox me the locations. Swat Mc-Miss have toiletries and other personal items we would like to donate to these families in need. Thanks!

[Jackson on CodeRED, Continues to Prep for Isaac][1]

[1]: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/20…

Bryant has responded with an executive order:

Tweet: RT @PhilBryantMS: Ahead of #Isaac, I'm speeding up teacher pay and tightening price gouging regulations bit.ly/PjPFXb

Tweet: RT @PhilBryantMS: Ahead of #Isaac, I'm speeding up teacher pay and tightening price gouging regulations bit.ly/PjPFXb

MDES Closes Coastal County WIN Job Centers Ahead of Storm

Jackson – The Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) announced today the closure of four WIN Job Centers due to bad weather.

WIN Job Center locations in Harrison, Hancock, Pearl River and Jackson County are closing early today and will remain closed until further notice. Closing the coastal county WIN Job Centers early allows agency staff to prepare their families and property ahead of Hurricane Isaac.

Customers may use the agency website at mdes.ms.gov to file for unemployment benefits or access many of the services provided by the WIN Job Centers.

United Way of the Capital Area’s health and human services call center is now activated to handle calls concerning Tropical Storm Isaac. As MEMA’s official public information call center during national disaster, 2-1-1 Mississippi is prepared to answer thousands of calls from people seeking shelter, supplies, medicine, or any other help as Isaac approaches.

United Way’s 2-1-1 is a statewide call service for health and human service needs. It is active at all times of the year, but during times of natural disaster,
2-1-1 partners with MEMA to help reduce their call volume and free them up for other duties. During Hurricane Gustav, United Way’s 2-1-1 call center handled more than 10,000 calls from people throughout the Southeast who were in Mississippi seeking shelter or other help.

This year, United Way is even better prepared to help facilitate a large call volume thanks to the donation of 2 Smart Boards from Detel. Smart Boards will allow 2-1-1 staff to quickly update information such as shelter openings and closings, road and bridge closings, special needs assistance, prescription drug help, and more to call specialists.

Callers seeking help can dial 2-1-1 from any phone or can call (866) 472-8265.

The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership is participating in sharing information with state agencies and chambers throughout the state on needs and concerns of people in the anticipated impact areas of Tropical Storm Isaac.

MEMA representative stated that the track is still uncertain but appears to be passing on the west placing Mississippi on the worst side of the storm. More information will be passed on tomorrow concerning details of the track of the tropical storm. Please go to www.nhc.noaa.gov for updates.

Persons interested in donating materials or supplies should call 211 to find out what is needed and where! The Chamber has been advised that the MS Tourism Department is keeping up with available hotel rooms throughout the state. For more information, please call 601-359-3297.

Below is information taken from the MEC website at www.msmec.com. MEC is coordinating the daily conference call.

Tropical Storm Isaac

Preparation efforts are underway to assist people in Mississippi and other Southern States that may be affected by Tropical Storm Isaac. Both the American Red Cross and Salvation Army are seeking donations to assist with the recovery efforts.

To make a donation to the American Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-red-cross. You can text redcross to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to the regional office of the American Red Cross at 875 Riverside Drive, Jackson, MS, 39202 or to the national office at American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013

Click Here for Tips on Preparing for Storm

The Salvation Army asks those who want to help to visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-sal-army. Donors may text “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation. Checks may be made out to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 100339, Atlanta, GA 30384-0339. Please designate "2012 Hurrican Relief" on all checks.

Click Here for Latest on Isaac Preparations