Mississippi: Press Release- Governor Barbour Prepares Mississippi for Gustav

By Heidi VanderVelde

GOVERNOR REQUESTS FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION,  MOBILIZES NATIONAL GUARD THROUGH EXECUTIVE ORDER

Barbour also expands designated emergency impact area to combat potential price gouging

(JACKSON, Mississippi)—In his role as the state’s chief executive, today Governor Haley Barbour continued with first steps to ensure Mississippi is as prepared as possible for the potential impact of Hurricane Gustav.

In a letter to President Bush, the Governor requested a federal disaster declaration for  the entire state.  This will begin the process of securing emergency assistance through  the Federal Emergency Management Agency should Hurricane Gustav impact the Gulf  Coast region.

Governor Barbour also directed Major General William Freeman, head of the state’s  military, to mobilize the Mississippi National Guard to support local government  response and recovery efforts.

“Although concern among our residents is palpable, now is the time for all our citizens to prepare but not panic,” Governor Barbour said.  “We are much better poised to  withstand a hurricane or any other natural disaster than three years ago, and all of our state agencies have taken precautionary measures for the potential impact of Hurricane Gustav.”

To continue efforts combating potential price gouging, Governor Barbour proclaimed a  State of Emergency which expanded the designated “emergency impact area” to include the entire state of Mississippi, thereby providing officials with more tools to monitor and prosecute those non-compliant with state law.

Source:  “Press Release:  Governor Requests Federal Disaster Declaration, Mobilizes National Guard Through Executive Order.”  State of Mississippi:  Office of the Governor.  29 August 2008.

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One Response to “Mississippi: Press Release- Governor Barbour Prepares Mississippi for Gustav”

  1. Chris Says:

    Something should be done to the Dandy Dan’s station at the intersection of Hwy 49 and Hwy 98 in Hattiesburg. Sunday, August 31, 2008, they had gasoline at $3.99 a gallon while the station across the highway and most others in Hattiesburg had it at $3.65 a gallon.

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