Pre-Apply Online now for Disaster Food Stamps All low- to moderate-income Louisianians may be eligible for Disaster Food Stamp benefits in the event of a natural disaster and should pre-apply now for benefits online or by phone. Current Food Stamp recipients do not need to pre-apply and would receive disaster benefits automatically.

Press Release: GOHSEP RESCHEDULES PUBLIC ASSISTANCE APPLICANT BRIEFINGS FOR MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR SPRING FLOOD EVENT BATON ROUGE, LA - (September 7, 2011) - Because of Tropical Storm Lee, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) has rescheduled public assistance applicant briefings for the Mississippi River flood event...

Press Release: STATE CONTINUES TO RESPOND TO TROPICAL STORM LEE BATON ROUGE, LA - (September 4, 2011) - The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security (GOHSEP) released the following information today on the state’s efforts to continue to respond to the effects of Tropical Storm Lee...

Press Release: GOV. JINDAL SAYS STATE PREPARED FOR TROPICAL STORM LEE URGES RESIDENTS IN SOUTH LOUISIANA TO PREPARE FOR FLOODING BATON ROUGE, LA - (September 2, 2011) - Governor Bobby Jindal held a press conference to update the public on the state?s efforts to monitor and prepare for Tropical Storm Lee, following a Unified Command Group meeting with state officials at the Governor?s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness...

Press Release: UPDATED: GOHSEP TO HOST PUBLIC ASSISTANCE APPLICANT BRIEFINGS FOR MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR SPRING FLOOD EVENT BATON ROUGE, LA - (September 2, 2011) - On August 18, 2011, a major disaster declaration was declared as a result of the Mississippi River flooding during the period of April 25 to July 7, 2011. This declaration will allow for federal funding under the Public Assistance Program... .

Press Release: MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR LOUISIANA BATON ROUGE (August 18, 2011) - At the request of Governor Bobby Jindal, today Louisiana received a major federal disaster declaration for the flood event that occurred April 25-July 7, 2011. This major disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) includes public assistance and hazard mitigation for these 15 parishes:...

Press Release: President Obama Signs Louisiana Emergency Declaration WASHINGTON DC (May 6, 2011) – The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts in the area struck by flooding beginning on April 25, 2011, and continuing...

Press Release: PRESIDENT DECLARES EMERGENCY FOR LOUISIANA WASHINGTON DC (May 6, 2011) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal aid has been made available to the state of Louisiana to supplement state and local response efforts in the area struck by flooding beginning on April 25, 2011, and continuing....

Press Release: Gov. Jindal Asks Army Corps to Release Map Outlining Impact of Possible Opening of Morganza Spillway, Says State Continues to Prepare for Flooding BATON ROUGE, LA (May 6, 2011) – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal held a UCG meeting today with state leaders, the National Weather Service and the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss preparations for rising Mississippi River levels. The Governor said he asked the Army Corps to publicly release a map outlining the areas and residents that would be impacted by the possible opening of the Morganza Spillway, which the Corps said could be opened as soon as next Thursday...

Press Release: Governor Jindal Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration, Tells Residents to Stay Informed as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Considers Opening Morganza Spillway BATON ROUGE, LA (May 5, 2011) – Today, Governor Jindal held a UCG meeting of state agency leaders along with federal officials from the US Army Corps of Engineers and the National Weather Service to stress the important actions state agencies are taking in preparation for potential Miss. River flooding and the Corps’ possible opening of the Morganza Spillway...

Press Release: Governor Jindal Sends Letter to Dept. of Defense Requesting National Guard BATON ROUGE, LA (May 4, 2011) – Today, Governor Jindal sent the following letter to Department of Defense requesting that the National Guard be utilized – under Federal Title 32 status – to respond to record water levels in Louisiana...

Press Release: GOHSEP ASSISTS STATE OF ALABAMA BATON ROUGE, LA (May 2, 2011) – Today, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is sending additional personnel and its mobile command post to the tornado stricken region of Alabama...

Press Release: LA Continues Preparations for Rising Miss. and Atchafalaya Rivers BATON ROUGE, LA (April 30, 2011) – State and federal agencies in Louisiana continue preparations today for the expected May cresting of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers, as several agencies are involved in a proactive strengthening operation of the Mississippi River levee south of Louisiana State University...

Proclamation: Governor Jindal Declares State of Emergency for Rising Levels of the Mississippi River BATON ROUGE, LA (April 28, 2011) Today, Governor Jindal declared a state of emergency in preparation for the Mississippi River with predicted river crests well above flood stage.

Proclamation: Governor Jindal Declares State of Emergency for Severe Weather BATON ROUGE, LA (April 28, 2011) Today, Governor Jindal declared a state of emergency for severe weather across the state.

Press Release: GOHSEP and Louisiana Economic Development Receive National Recognition BATON ROUGE, LA (April 21, 2011) The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and Louisiana Economic Development (LED) are the recipients of the 2011 National Hurricane Conference Outstanding Achievement Award.

Proclamation: Governor Jindal Declares State of Emergency for Continuing Damages to I-20 Bridge Baton Rouge (April 5, 2011) Today, Governor Jindal declared a state of emergency for the continuing damages sustained to the Interstate 20 Highway Bridge in Madison Parish. The I-20 bridge was struck by the vessel KAY A. ECKSTEIN on March 23, 2011, as it moved south down the Mississippi River with 30 barges in tow.

Proclamation: Governor Jindal Declares State of Emergency for Severe Weather Baton Rouge (April 5, 2011) Today, Governor Jindal declared a state of emergency for the severe weather impacting the state.

Press Release: State Agencies Assist Local Governments In Storm Response, Continue to Monitor Weather Conditions Baton Rouge (March 9, 2011) The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness’ (GOHSEP) Crisis Action Team and Louisiana state agencies continue to monitor hazardous weather conditions that brought flooding and tornadoes to parts of Louisiana in recent days. Agencies are deploying resources to local governments to help with rescue and response efforts...

Proclamation: Governor Jindal Declares State of Emergency for Severe Weather in South LouisianaBaton Rouge (March 5, 2011) Today, Governor Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency for severe weather in South Louisiana from March 5, 2011 through April 3, 2011...

Proclamation: Governor Jindal Declares Severe Weather Awareness WeekBaton Rouge (February 18, 2011) Governor Bobby Jindal declared February 21 - February 25 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in the State in Louisiana.

Press Release: Governor Jindal Declares State of Emergency for Winter Storm Conditions, GOHSEP Activates Crisis Action TeamBaton Rouge (February 2, 2011) Today, Governor Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency for a major winter storm system and related dangerous winter weather conditions. Additionally, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) activated its Crisis Action Team (CAT) to monitor wintry and possible hazardous conditions that could impact parts of Louisiana over the next few days. GOHSEP remains in contact with parishes in the event state resources are requested and GOHSEP personnel are located in each region to assist those local parishes...

Press Release: State is Prepared for Wintry Conditions Baton Rouge (January 9, 2011) Based on wintry weather forecasted for North, Central, and some parts of Southeast Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal and State agencies continue to monitor hazardous conditions. The Governor declared a State of Emergency last night to better facilitate the State's rapid response to parish requests for assistance...

Press Release: Arctic Blast To Impact Louisiana Baton Rouge (January 7, 2011) The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness GOHSEP) is urging Louisiana residents to prepare for forecasted winter weather conditions.  GOSHEP will be in contact with the National Weather Service (NWS) throughout the weekend and is communicating with other state agencies in anticipation of sleet, snow, and potential icing of Louisiana roadways in certain parts of the state...

Press Release: GOHSEP Receives Public Outreach AwardsBaton Rouge, LA (December 30, 2010) - Two Louisiana hazard mitigation public outreach tools have been recognized in international media awards competitions for 2010. The two communication pieces are part of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness' (GOHSEP's) "Educate to Mitigate" hazard mitigation multi-media campaign which is part of the agency's strategy to build a culture of mitigation throughout Louisiana...

Press Release: State of Louisiana Recognized for Public-Private PartnershipBaton Rouge (November 16, 2010) - Today, The Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center (LA BEOC) was recently touted as a model example for other states for its public-private partnership with the business community when the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) highlighted the state’s plan on its website...

GOHSEP Disaster Recovery Division to host Private Non-Profit (PNP) briefings. (Nov 15-19, 2010)Baton Rouge (November 10, 2010) - Today, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is sending this informational letter as part of a public outreach to Private Non-Profit Organizations(PNPs) that were operational and in good standing with the Secretary of State at the time of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and may be eligible applicants under the Public Assistance program...

LSU's South Campus is home to LA BEOCLouisiana's first emergency operations center dedicated to response and recovery for businesses. A unique effort in the U.S., the LA BEOC represents the first time Louisiana's public, private and academic sectors have coordinated emergency efforts of businesses and volunteer organizations statewide in a structured manner.

July 27, 2010 Press Release: FEMA And The Advertising Council Launch New PSA Campaign In Spanish To Encourage Hispanic Americans To Take Steps To Prepare For Emergencies Click here to watch the new PSA in English or Spanish

July 27, 2010 Press Release: GOHSEP Director Appointed to National Advisory Council Baton Rouge, LA - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) Director Mark Cooper has been appointed to the National Advisory Council (NAC)...

June 2, 2010 Press Release: Public-Private-Academic Partners Launch Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center Baton Rouge, LA - GOHSEP Director Mark Cooper joined Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret, University of Louisiana at Lafayette President Joseph Savoie representing the National Incident Management Systems and Advanced Technologies, or NIMSAT, Institute, and Louisiana State University Chancellor Dr. Michael Martin representing the Stephenson Disaster Management Institute, or SDMI, at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center, or LA BEOC...

June 1, 2010 Press Release: 2010 Louisiana Hurricane Season Starts Baton Rouge, LA - GOHSEP urges everyone to "Get a Game Plan"...

May 24, 2010 Press Release: Governor Jindal Proclaims Hurricane Preparedness Week Baton Rouge, LA - The State of Louisiana over the past years has suffered from the destructive forces of hurricanes, storm surges, high winds, heavy rain and flooding...

May 23, 2010 Press Release: Hurricane Preparedness Week Baton Rouge, LA - Governor Bobby Jindal has proclaimed May 23-29, 2010 Hurricane Preparedness Week. The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is encouraging every Louisiana citizen to begin preparing for the 2010 hurricane season...

December 2009 Get A Game Plan Gator PSA Baton Rouge, LA - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) has released a new public service announcement focusing on kids being prepared for disasters. The video features the Get A Game Plan Gator, Hollywood Hal and Rineston Al.

November 2009 Winter Weather PSA Baton Rouge, LA - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) released a new public service announcement featuring professional golfer David Toms. In the video, Mr. Toms discusses the importance of Louisiana residents being prepared for winter weather.

September 1, 2009 GOHSEP Partners With Local Community Show Baton Rouge, LA - GOHSEP is partnering with the "Around Town TV Show" for special emergency preparedness segments. A new segment will air the first Saturday of every month.

June 2, 2009 Get a Game Plan website gets new look and GOHSEP uses social networking tool Baton Rouge, LA - The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has updated its Get a Game Plan website, www.getagameplan.org. GOHSEP Director Mark Cooper says the overhauled website is now more user-friendly and more comprehensive regarding its content.

May 29, 2009
Gov. Jindal Joins New Orleans Saints To Kick Off 2009 "Get A Game Plan" Hurricane Preparedness Campaign Baton Rouge, LA - Governor Bobby Jindal joined members of the New Orleans Saints to kick off the state's 2009 "Get A Game Plan" hurricane preparedness.