by Frank James
The Homeland Security Department is giving us a sense of Secretary Michael Chertoff's itinerary today. Suffice it to say that he is going to be showing the DHS flag a lot in Louisiana in the next few hours.
He'll be making at least three stops, in Houma, New Orleans and Baton Rouge to look at Hurricane Gustav preparations.
Compare this to what he did three years ago before Hurricane Katrina. The closest he got to New Orleans before that storm was Atlanta.
Then FEMA director Michael "Brownie" Brown also faulted Chertoff after the fact for ordering him to stay in Baton Rouge instead of letting him go into New Orleans to see first-hand the destruction.
Obviously, Chertoff isn't making the same mistake twice. He's going beforehand to the city directly in the path of imminent storm. Here's a press release from the Homeland Security Department.
STATEMENT BY HOMELAND SECURITY PRESS SECRETARY LAURA KEEHNER
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is on his way to Louisiana to observe preparations in anticipation of Hurricane Gustav. He will first travel to Houma, where he will observe final special needs evacuations and then meet with local officials at the emergency operations center. Secretary Chertoff will then travel to New Orleans, where he will observe evacuation activities and meet with Mayor Nagin and other local officials. Secretary Chertoff is then expected to travel to Baton Rouge, where he will meet with Governor Jindal and stay through the storm.
Additional details on times and locations for media availabilities are forthcoming.
We continue to remind Gulf Coast residents about the importance of taking precautionary measures to prepare for an emergency situation or evacuation as Gustav approaches our shores. The department's Ready Campaign encourages citizens to get an emergency supply kit, make an emergency plan, and stay informed of instructions from local authorities. Please visit www.ready.gov for resources and information on personal and business emergency preparedness.
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