Finding help to get loved ones out of NOLA
We've had a horrible time figuring out who to contact for elderly relatives who survived the storm but need help getting evacuated from their homes. Finally, today, we were successful. The information was difficult to locate, and the Red Cross, local authorities and other standard places that folks who are looking for help getting friends and loved ones help do not know where to send people. So. Without further ado, the place you need to contact to get a relative who needs help getting out is the local Homeland Security office for SE Louisiana. The contact information that we used to get through was:

Homeland Security offices in New Orleans/Orleans Parish

Orleans Joseph Matthews (504) 658-8700 (504) 658-8701

For questions or comments please contact

Jones, Art
Division Chief
(225) 925-7555
ajones@ohsep.louisiana.gov
Weiser, Richard
Asst. Division Chief
(225) 925-7556
rweiser@ohsep.louisiana.gov

Mr. Jones helped with my grandmother in mid-city and with an elderly uncle down in the quarter. Neither is able to get to an evacuation point, and frankly the local police are more dangerous than waiting for random rescue to occur. They are "medium" priority, but at least now we know that someone with the resources to get them out knows they are there and in what condition.

I am astonished at how little coordination there is of evacuation efforts in New Orleans, and wonder why national media outlets aren't reporting these numbers to people...I hope this helps someone who needs it!