September 17, 2008

For the latest on the reopening on area attractions, restaurants and more, including hotel room availability, please visit www.visitlakecharles.org.

If you have information on the status of these entities or on scheduled events in the area, please post it by commenting to this post.

Thanks!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Gumbeaux Gator is home once again! The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau is now reopen to the public. We will be open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. today and will resume our normal business hours of 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. tomorrow. Our phone lines are working and we can be reached at 337-436-9588 or 800-456-7952.

We are continuing to contact our hospitality partners and you can find updates on them on this blog and our Web site, http://www.visitlakecharles.org/. We will continue to update this information as we get it in. If you have information on restaurants, attractions or events that you do not see posted, please let us know by commenting to this post.

From L'Auberge du Lac:
September 16, 2008
We are pleased to be able to serve you so soon following Hurricane Ike. We appreciate your patience as we work through some post-storm issues.

The casino remains closed until further notice. In the meantime, the following guest amenities are available:

Ø Le Beaucoup Buffet is OPEN serving lunch and dinner only:
o Lunch 11:00 am – 4:30 p.m./$13.50
o Dinner 4:30 – 10:00 p.m./$16.99 Featuring prime rib and other favorites!
Ø Lattes is OPEN and serving a full menu of coffee drinks, pastries and sandwiches; 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Ø Snake River Grill open daily at 5:30 p.m. for bar service; dinner service at 6:00 p.m.
Ø Asia is open 4:00 p.m. – midnight.
Ø All retail outlets are now OPEN.
Ø Spa du Lac is OPEN; appointments can be made by calling 395-7768 (limited services available). The Fitness Center is OPEN; $10 fee for hotel guests.
Ø L’Sundries is OPEN 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.; snacks, soft drinks and spirits are available for purchase.
Ø The pool remains closed until further notice.
Ø Contraband Bayou Golf Club is closed; we expect to open September 18.
Ø Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill is open 4:00 p.m. - midnight:
o Watch your favorite sports programs on 13 indoor and outdoor TV’s.
Ø The Chicago concerts will take place as scheduled September 19/20 in the L’Auberge Event Center. Additional tickets are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.com .
Ø Le Ann Rimes tickets are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.com or the L’Auberge Business Center for performances October 17/18.
Ø The hotel is OPEN for business and accepting new reservations at www.ldlcasino.com or (866) 580-7444.
Ø Le Café is now open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Ø Room service is now available.
Ø As a post-storm convenience to our customers, take-out service is currently available at all L’Auberge restaurants (buffet excluded).

Update: September 15, 2008

We are continuing to assess damages our local hospitality partners sustained during Hurricane Ike. The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau building located at 1205 North Lakeshore Dr. in Lake Charles received minor damage from Hurricane Ike. We currently have a crew cleaning up the building and hope to reopen it to the public by the end of this week. We will continue to keep this blog updated as we gain more information on the status of the building.

In the meantime, we are working remotely from a hotel property in Sulphur. We can all be reached via e-mail and this blog site. Our Web site, http://www.visitlakecharles.org/, is also being updated as we receive information.


For Administration:
Shanna Landry, Director of Administration
slandry@visitlakecharles.org

For Sales:
Tico Soto, Director of Sales
tsoto@visitlakecharles.org

For Communications:
Katie Harrington, Public Relations Manager
kharrington@visitlakecharles.org

For Tourist Information:
Melissa Serrano, Tourist Information Manager
mserrano@visitlakecharles.org

Casino Update
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is temporarily closed.
800-589- 7441

Isle of Capri Casino Hotel will reopen at 6:00 p.m. tonight with limited availability.
800-THE-ISLE

L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort: The hotel is open and accepting reservations. The casino and golf course are temporarily closed. For reservations call (866) 580-7444. We are offering a special $149 rate (Code AD149; Sunday – Thursday). Please see below for more information on the other ameneties for this property.

Hotel Properties Update
The following hotel properties are open with no availability.

Lake Charles
Microtel Inn & Suites Lake Charles (337-477-4230)
Sleep Inn & Suites Lake Charles (337-480-0898)
Super 8 in Lake Charles (337-477-1606) Comfort Inn & Suites Lake Charles
Comfort Inn & Suites Lake Charles (Prien Lake Road)
Treasure Inn (337-721-8001)
Motel 6 Lake Charles (337-433-1773)
Sunrise Inn Lake Charles (337-437-8339)
America's Best Suites Lake Charles (337-439-2444)
Baymont Inn & Suites Lake Charles (337-310-7666)
Belmont Motor Inn Lake Charles (337-433-9291)
Best Western Richmond Suites Lake Charles (337-433-5213)
Econolodge Inn & Suites Lake Charles (337-491-1000)
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Lake Charles (337-491-6600)
La Quinta Inn Lake Charles (337-436-5998)
Days Inn (337-433-9461)
Inn on the Bayou (337-474-5151)

Sulphur
Candlewood Inn & Suites
Quality Inn & Suites in Sulphur (337-626-7000)
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Sulphur (337-625-2500)
Best Western Executive Suites in Sulphur ((337-625-9000)
Sulphur Inn (337-528-2061)
Crossland Economy Studios (337-625-5923)
Days Inn Sulphur (337-312-0108)
Super 8 Sulphur (337-626-8800)
Fairfield Inn by Marriott (337-528-2629)
Microtel Inn (337-527-1000)
LaQuinta Inn (337-527-8303)
Econolodge Inn & Suites (337-527-8146)
Windgate by Wyndham (337-527-5151)
Hampton Inn (337-527-0000)

Iowa
Howard Johnson Express Iowa (337-582-2440)

The following hotel properties are temporarily closed:
Lake Charles
Oasis Inn (337-494-7270)

Campgrounds
The following campgrounds are open with spots available:

Lake Charles
Jellystone Yogi Bear Park (337-433-1114)
VFW 2130 RV Park (337-477-7546)

Westlake
Tall Pines RV Park (337-433-2038)

Bed & Breakfasts
The following B&B's are open with availability:
CA's House (337-439-6672)

Museums
The Childrens Museum and DeQuincy Railroad Museum will reopen tomorrow with normal business hours. The Imperial Calcasieu Museum in Lake Charles and the Brimstone Museum in Sulphur are open today with normal business hours.

Galleries
The following galleries are open today with normal hours of business:
Arts & Humanities Council
Art Associates Gallery
Black Heritage Gallery
Historic City Hall
Henning Cultural Center in Sulphur

The following galleries will reopen tomorrow with normal business hours:
Abercrombie Gallery at McNeese State University

Restaurants
The following restaurants are open with normal business hours:
DI's Cajun Restaurant
Popeyes
Aucoin's Cajun Restaurant
Bennigan's Grill and Tavern
Blue Duck Cafe
Boiling Point
Cajun Cafe
Cajun Charlie's Seafood Restaurant
Carino's Italian grill
Casa Ole in Lake Charles and Sulphur
The Coffee Beanery
Chinese King Restaurant
Hollier's Cajun Kitchen
Lagniappe Cafe
Majestic Downtown
Mr. Gattis
Olive Garden
O'Charley's Restuarant
Panda Super Buffet
Pujo St. Cafe
Richard's Boudin & Seafood Restuarant
Ryan's Buffet
Seafood Palace
Southern Spice
Steamboat Bills (Broad Street Location)
Steamboat Bills on the Lake
Texas Roadhouse
The Sausage Link
Tony's Pizza
Wagon Wheel Burgers & More
Longhorn Truck and Car Plaza (Hard Country Cafe)

The following restaurants will reopen tomorrow with normal business hours:
Casa Manana
Luna Bar & Grill
Mazen's Restaurant

Golf Courses
Pine Shadows is open with normal business hours.
Frasch Park in Sulphur and Mallard Cove in Lake Charles will reopen tomorrow with normal operating hours.

Festivals and Events
St. Theresa's Carlyss Bon Temps Festival is still on for this weekend.
Calca-Chew Festival is still on for September 28.
Country Club Arts & Craft Fair is still on for October 10-11.
Town of Vinton Heritage Festival is still on for October 11.

Other information:
Updated L'Auberge Operations for 9/15/08
L’Auberge Property Amenity Update
September 15, 2008
L’AUBERGE DU LAC UPDATES

The L’Auberge casino remains closed at this time. The vessel is not damaged but crews are working to repair damaged entry ramps. We are targeting a Wednesday night reopening date, pending regulatory approvals and successful ramp repairs. All roads leading in and out of the property are clear and Contraband Bayou Golf Club has largely drained, although we have repair work ahead on the greens.

As a service to the community, the following guest amenities are available – please note that additional food outlets become operational today. During post-storm recovery, L’Auberge WILL allow to-go orders from all property food outlets (buffet excluded):

Ø The hotel is OPEN and now taking new reservations at http://www.ldlcasino.com/ or (866) 580-7444. We are offering a special $149 rate (Code AD149; Sunday – Thursday). Come enjoy a hot shower if your power is out!
Ø Le Beaucoup Buffet is OPEN serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Current specials include:
o Breakfast $10
o No lunch service today
o Dinner $16.99
Ø Lattes is OPEN with a full menu of coffee drinks, pastries and sandwiches; open until 10:00 p.m.
Ø Snake River Grill opens at 5:30 p.m. for bar service; full dinner service at 6:00 p.m. Let us do the cooking for you!
Ø Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill opens at noon today featuring the Nevie Beach Club menu for lunch:
o Monday Night Football will be available at 7:30 p.m.
o Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill full menu available for dinner.
Ø Asia is open Noon to Midnight.
Ø Le Café will open at 4:00 p.m. and remain open until 2:00 a.m.
Ø Room service will resume today at 4:00 p.m.
Ø L’Arcade is OPEN today.
Ø Modele is OPEN today.
Ø Spa du Lac is OPEN; appointments can be made by calling 395-7768 (limited services available). The Fitness Center is OPEN to hotel guests for a $10 fee.
Ø L’Sundries is OPEN until 1:00 a.m.; snacks, soft drinks and spirits are available for purchase.
Ø The pool are will open Tuesday, September 16 with full bar service.
Ø Contraband Bayou Golf Club remains closed due to storm surge flooding.

We will bring additional amenities online as our employees are able to return to work.

The Chicago concerts scheduled for September 19 and September 20 will take place as planned; we are receiving numerous calls from ticketholders regarding the status of the show Le Ann Rimes tickets are now on sale at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ for the scheduled October 17 and October 18 in the L’Auberge Event Center.

Our thoughts are with the citizens of Southwest Louisiana as we all work together to help those affected by Hurricane Ike.


From the City of Lake Charles
Effective Monday, September 15, at 6 a.m., the City of Lake Charles Transit system will resume with limited service. Citizens requesting pickup should call 491-1253. Transit buses will be used to assist in the return of evacuees.
Regular scheduled Transit service should resume Tuesday, September 16.

Update: September 14, 2008

From the City of Lake Charles:
All City of Lake Charles services will return to normal scheduled operations on Monday, September 15, 2008.

Drop-off Location Announced for Spoiled Food

Beginning Monday, September 15, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lake Charles citizens can
bring spoiled food to the City incinerator, located at 4333 E. Broad, Lake Charles.

F. K. White Middle School Closed as Temporary Shelter; Evacuees Transferred to MLK Recreation Center

At 9 a.m. today, Sunday, September 14, the F. K. White Middle School temporary shelter was closed and the evacuees from that shelter were transferred to the Red Cross temporary shelter located at the MLK Recreation Center, 2009 N. Simmons, Lake Charles.

All other evacuees going to the MLK shelter must provide their own transportation. Evacuees going to the shelter should bring medicine, bedding and any other personal items they may need.

City Transit System Resumes With Limited Service

The City of Lake Charles Transit system will resume on Monday, September 15, 2008 with limited service. City Transit buses will be used to return evacuees back to their homes. Citizens requesting pickup should call 491-1253.

Hotel Openings:
L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort: The hotel is open and taking reservations, however the casino is currently closed. L'Auberge also has the following open: Le Beaucoup Buffet; Lattes; Snake River Grill (at 5:30 p.m.); Asia is open Noon to Midnight. L’Arcade; Modele; Spa du Lac; L’Sundries and the pool (sorry, no bar service) are all open. Contraband Bayou Golf Club remains closed at this time.

Update: September 13, 2008

We are in the process of contacting all of our area hospitality partners now. If you know of any damage, please post it here.

Hurricane Ike Update:September 12, 2008

The last motorcoaches for evacuation have now left the Lake Charles Civic Center. No other buses are available for evacuation.

The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau's office on I-10 in downtown Lake Charles is now closed. It will reopen when advisories have been lifted and it is safe to do so.

The Vinton Welcome Center located on Interstate 10 is now closed. It will reopen when advisories have been lifted and it is safe to do so.

From the City of Lake Charles:

City Opens Temporary Shelter of Last Resort

At 2 p.m. today, the City of Lake Charles opened a temporary shelter of last resort at the Pryce-MillerRecreation Center located at 216 Albert St., Lake Charles -- next to theForeman-Reynaud Community Center.

Evacuees going to the temporary shelter should bring medicine, bedding and any other personal items they may need.

For more information, call the Pryce-Miller Recreation Center at 502-5231.

Water and Wastewater Advisory

Due to the storm surge and the demand on the City’s water and wastewater systems, the City is asking the residents of Lake Charles to conserve water usage and the use of wastewater facilities.

The latest information from www.kplctv.com:
HURRICANE IKE REMAINS A CATEGORY 2 STORM, BUT IS INTENSIFYING AS IT CONTINUES TO MOVE TOWARDS THE NORTHWEST GULF COAST. HURRICANE WARNINGS REMAIN IN EFFECT FROM MORGAN CITY, LA. TO BAFFIN BAY, TEXAS. A TROPICAL STORM WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR INLAND SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA.

IN CALCASIEU PARISH, A CURFEW WILL BEGIN AT 10:00 A.M. FRIDAY. THE CURFEW WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS SUBSIDE AND ROADS ARE SAFE FOR TRAVEL.

CALCASIEU PARISH OFFICIALS HAVE ORDERED A MANDATORY EVACUATION FOR LOW-LYING AREAS AND ALL SPECIAL NEEDS RESIDENTS. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS FROM HURRICANE IKE COULD BEGIN DURING THE DAY TODAY AND WIND GUSTS NEAR OR ABOVE CATEGORY 1 HURRICANE STRENGTH LATE TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING IN CALCASIEU PARISH. RESIDENTS WHO LIVE IN TRAVEL TRAILERS, MOBILE HOMES, AND LOW-LYING AREAS ARE BEING ORDERED TO LEAVE. EMERGENCY OFFICIALS SAY THE POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING DUE TO STORM SURGE OR HIGH WATER IN CALCASIEU PARISH IS SIMILAR TO THAT CAUSED BY HURRICANE RITA.

CAMERON PARISH COULD EXPERIENCE A STORM SURGE OF UP TO 14-18 FEET WITH THIS STORM. CAMERON PARISH MANDATORY EVACUATION HAS BEEN ORDERED. CAMERON PARISH RESIDENTS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO EVACUATE. THE CAMERON FERRY IS CLOSED.

JEFF DAVIS PARISH RECOMMENDS PEOPLE IN LOW-LYING AREAS, MOBILE HOMES AND AREAS THAT COULD BE DAMAGED BY TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS TO FIND SAFE SHELTER. THIS INCLUDES SPECIAL MEDICAL NEEDS PERSONS. TO FIND SAFE SHELTER IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION CALL 824-3850, 734-2231.

JEFF DAVIS WILL HAVE A PARISH-WIDE CURFEW STARTING AT 8PM TODAY.

ALLEN PARISH RESIDENTS WHO HAVE CONCERNS CAN CALL THE ALLEN PARISH OEP AT 318-335-1155.

AS OF 7:30 A.M. THERE HAS BEEN A REPORT OF A 6 FOOT STORM SURGE IN CAMERON. AT THIS LEVEL MOST OF CAMERON IS LIKELY UNDERWATER.

AS OF 7:45 A.M. THERE HAS BEEN A REPORT OF A 7.3 FT. STORM SURGE NEAR PECAN ISLAND IN VERMILION PARISH.

CPSO INFORMATION LINE 491-3780

JOHNSON BAYOU COULD EXPERIENCE A STORM SURGE OF UP TO 18-20 FEET AND THE SABINE PASS COULD EXPERIENCE A STORM SURGE OF UP TO 20 FEET WITH THIS STORM.

KPLC EMERGENCY COVERAGE IS ALSO AVAILABLE PERIODICALLY ON THE FOLLOWING RADIO STATIONS: 104.9 KZWA, GATOR 99.5, 92.9 THE LAKE, STAR 92.1, 107.5 JAMZ, KLCL 1470 AM & KJEF 1290 AM.

MCNEESE AND SOWELA WILL BE CLOSED TODAY.

MOSS REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN LAKE CHARLES IS OPEN AND OPERATING AS NORMAL.

PEOPLE WITH PACE MAKERS ARE SAFE TO WORK WITH REGULAR GENERATORS, BUT MUST NOT OPERATE INDUSTRIAL GENERATORS

THE MCNEESE FOOTBALL GAME SET FOR SATURDAY IN COWBOY STADIUM WITH CAL POLY HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

Hurricane Ike Update: September 11, 2008

From the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau:
The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau will close at the end of the day and remain closed until all advisories have been lifted and it is safe to do so.

From the Southwest Louisiana Wildlife Refuge Complex:
Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex Closing September 11, 2008, effective
6: 00AM due to Hurricane Ike. Sabine, Lacassine, Cameron Prairie and Shell Keys National Wildlife Refuges will be closed to all public access and recreational uses as of 6:00 am September 11, 2008. For the safety of the public and the refuge employees, all the refuge entrance gates will be closed at 6:00 am. This action corresponds with a Cameron Parish decision to implement a mandatory evacuation for all of Cameron Parish. The refuge will re-open when the Parish lifts the mandatory evacuation and it is determined safe to re-enter the Refuge marshes after the storm passes and damages, if any, are assessed.

From http://www.kplctv.com/:
The latest from http://www.kplctv.com/ as of the 6:00 a.m. briefing. The next briefing is scheduled for noon today.

CALCASIEU PARISH OFFICIALS HAVE ORDERED A MANDATORY EVACUATION FOR LOW-LYING AREAS AND ALL SPECIAL NEEDS RESIDENTS. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS FROM HURRICANE IKE COULD BEGIN DURING THE DAY FRIDAY AND WIND GUSTS NEAR OR ABOVE CATEGORY 1 HURRICANE STRENGTH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING IN CALCASIEU PARISH. OFFICIALS SAY IKE IS A DANGEROUS STORM AND THOSE RESIDENTS WHO RESIDE IN TRAVEL TRAILERS, MOBILE HOMES, AND LOW-LYING AREAS DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR HIGH WATER, STORM SURGE, AND WIND ARE BEING ORDERED TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES. EMERGENCY OFFICIALS SAY THE POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING DUE TO STORM SURGE OR HIGH WATER IN CALCASIEU PARISH IS SIMILAR TO THAT CAUSED BY HURRICANE RITA.

WESTERN CALCASIEU PARISH COULD BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE WINDS OF UP TO 60 MILES PER HOUR BY FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING. CITIZENS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO EXPERIENCE POWER OUTAGES THAT COULD LAST FOR DAYS. A STORM SURGE JUST BELOW THAT OF HURRICANE RITA MAY BE EXPERIENCED IN LAKE CHARLES. THERE IS A MANDATORY EVACUATION OF LOW-LYING RESIDENTS OF CALCASIEU PARISH AND THOSE IN CALCASIEU WHO LIVE IN MOBILE HOMES AND TRAILERS AS WELL AS SPECIAL NEEDS PATIENTS.

THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IS ADVISING RESIDENTS IN LOW LYING AREAS AND MOBILE HOMES TO EVACUATE.

CAMERON PARISH COULD EXPERIENCE A STORM SURGE OF UP TO 12 FEET WITH THIS STORM. CAMERON PARISH MANDATORY EVACUATION HAS BEEN ORDERED.

THE CAMERON FERRY IS NOW CLOSED.

DELTA TECH WILL HOLD DAY AND NIGHT CLASSES THURSDAY.

A CURFEW HAS BEEN ORDERED FOR CALCASIEU PARISH FRIDAY NIGHT FROM 8 PM - 6 AM.

COASTAL LOUISIANA IS UNDER A TROPICAL STORM WARNING. CAMERON PARISH IS UNDER A HURRICANE WATCH.

LAKE CHARLES DIOCESE HAS SCHOOL THURSDAY, BUT WILL CLOSE FRIDAY. OUR LADY IMMACULATE SCHOOL IN JENNINGS WILL BE OPEN THURSDAY & FRIDAY.
MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY WILL CLOSE AT NOON TODAY. SOWELA WILL HAVE CLASSES THURSDAY AND ALL OFFICES ARE OPEN. DELTA TECH WILL HOLD DAY AND NIGHT CLASSES THURSDAY.

RESIDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, OR THOSE WHO NEED A RIDE OUT OF THE AREA AND A PLACE TO STAY CAN CALL 337-721-4020 TO ARRANGE FOR TRANSPORTATION TO THE CIVIC CENTER FOR COACH BUS TRANSPORTATION. CALCASIEU RESIDENTS WHO EVACUATE BY BUS WILL BE TRANSPORTED TO ONE CENTRALIZED LOCATION IN NORTH LOUISIANA. THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS AGREED TO PROVIDE PERSONNEL FOR SECURITY PURPOSES AT THE SHELTER.

SANDBAGS ARE AVAILABLE AT CALCASIEU PARISH BARNS IN MOSS BLUFF, HAYES, LAKE CHARLES, SULPHUR, STARKS, DEQUINCY VINTON AND IOWA. YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN SHOVEL. FOR A LIST OF PARISH BARNS GO TO KPLCTV.COM
STATE OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED IN CAMERON AND CALCASIEU PARISHES THURSDAY.
THE FOLLOWING SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED THURSDAY AND FRIDAY: CALCASIEU PARISH, CAMERON PARISH, HAMILTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL.

Hurricane Ike Status Update: Wednesday, September 10, 2008

A press conference was held at 6:00 this evenning. Here is the information conveyed courtesy of http://www.kplctv.com/:

CALCASIEU PARISH OFFICIALS HAVE ORDERED A MANDATORY EVACUATION FOR LOW-LYING AREAS AND ALL SPECIAL NEEDS RESIDENTS. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS FROM HURRICANE IKE COULD BEGIN DURING THE DAY FRIDAY AND WIND GUSTS NEAR OR ABOVE CATEGORY 1 HURRICANE STRENGTH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING IN CALCASIEU PARISH. OFFICIALS SAY IKE IS A DANGEROUS STORM AND THOSE RESIDENTS WHO RESIDE IN TRAVEL TRAILERS, MOBILE HOMES, AND LOW-LYING AREAS DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR HIGH WATER, STORM SURGE, AND WIND ARE BEING ORDERED TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES.

EMERGENCY OFFICIALS SAY THE POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING DUE TO STORM SURGE OR HIGH WATER IN CALCASIEU PARISH IS SIMILAR TO THAT CAUSED BY HURRICANE RITA.

WESTERN CALCASIEU PARISH COULD BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE WINDS OF UP TO 60 MILES PER HOUR BY FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING. CITIZENS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO EXPERIENCE POWER OUTAGES THAT COULD LAST FOR DAYS. A STORM SURGE JUST BELOW THAT OF HURRICANE RITA MAY BE EXPERIENCED IN LAKE CHARLES. THERE IS A MANDATORY EVACUATION OF LOW-LYING RESIDENTS OF CALCASIEU PARISH AND THOSE IN CALCASIEU WHO LIVE IN MOBILE HOMES AND TRAILERS AS WELL AS SPECIAL NEEDS PATIENTS.

THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IS ADVISING RESIDENTS IN LOW LYING AREAS AND MOBILE HOMES TO EVACUATE.

CAMERON PARISH COULD EXPERIENCE A STORM SURGE OF UP TO 12 FEET WITH THIS STORM. CAMERON PARISH MANDATORY EVACUATION HAS BEEN ORDERED.
THE CAMERON FERRY IS NOW CLOSED.

THE CAMERON FERRY WILL SHUT DOWN AT NOON TODAY.

DELTA TECH WILL HOLD DAY AND NIGHT CLASSES THURSDAY.

A CURFEW HAS BEEN ORDERED FOR CALCASIEU PARISH FRIDAY NIGHT FROM 8 PM - 6 AM.

COASTAL LOUISIANA IS UNDER A TROPICAL STORM WARNING. CAMERON PARISH IS UNDER A HURRICANE WATCH.

LAKE CHARLES DIOCESE HAS SCHOOL THURSDAY AND WILL CLOSE AT 2:00 PM AND WILL CLOSE FRIDAY. OUR LADY IMMACULATE SCHOOL IN JENNINGS WILL BE OPEN THURSDAY & FRIDAY.

MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY WILL CLOSE AT NOON TODAY. SOWELA WILL HAVE CLASSES THURSDAY AND ALL OFFICES ARE OPEN. DELTA TECH WILL HOLD DAY AND NIGHT CLASSES THURSDAY.

RESIDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, OR THOSE WHO NEED A RIDE OUT OF THE AREA AND A PLACE TO STAY CAN CALL 337-721-4020 TO ARRANGE FOR TRANSPORTATION TO THE CIVIC CENTER FOR COACH BUS TRANSPORTATION. CALCASIEU RESIDENTS WHO EVACUATE BY BUS WILL BE TRANSPORTED TO ONE CENTRALIZED LOCATION IN NORTH LOUISIANA. THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS AGREED TO PROVIDE PERSONNEL FOR SECURITY PURPOSES AT THE SHELTER.

SANDBAGS ARE AVAILABLE AT CALCASIEU PARISH BARNS IN MOSS BLUFF, HAYES, LAKE CHARLES, SULPHUR, STARKS, DEQUINCY VINTON AND IOWA. YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN SHOVEL. FOR A LIST OF PARISH BARNS GO TO KPLCTV.COM

STATE OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED IN CAMERON AND CALCASIEU PARISHES THURSDAY.
THE FOLLOWING SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED THURSDAY AND FRIDAY: CALCASIEU PARISH, CAMERON PARISH, HAMILTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL.

Watching Hurricane Ike: September 9, 2008

As stated yestereday, the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau is closely monitoring Hurricane Ike. We are in touch with our hospitality partners and working with them to provide you with the latest information on their status.

Closures announced to date:
Cameron Parish has ordered a mandatory evacuation of lower Cameron Parish and low lying areas in Hackberry and Grand Lake to begin on Wednesday, September 10.

Cameron Parish Schools will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, September 10.

The Sabine National Wildlife Refuge will close at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, September 10. The refuge will reopen once the mandatory evacuation order is lifted by parish officials.

Please check back for the latest information as we continue to monitor this storm.

Preparing for Hurricane Ike

The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau is currently monitoring Hurricane Ike. We have already begun working with our hotel partners and other area attractions and events to have the most up-to-date information on their status.

Our communications team is standing by, ready to keep the community updated on the status of the tourism industry in Southwest Louisiana throughout Ike.

Please continue to check this blog site as well as our Web site, www.visitlakecharles.org, for information as it becomes available.

Update: Friday, September 5, 2008

The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau is now open.

RESCHEDULED EVENTS
The opening of JAVA at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum will be rescheduled. Please check this blog and http://www.visitlakecharles.org/ for a new opening date.

The 12th Annual Gallery Promenade Scheduled for this weekend has been rescheduled for September 26.

The Golden Dragon Acrobats performance at the Lake Charles Civic Center scheduled for September 5 has been postponed. A rescheduled date will be announced.

HOTEL/CAMPGROUND OPENINGS
All area hotels and casino properties have reopened. Please contact properties directly for hotel room availability information. Contact information can be found on http://www.visitlakecharles.org/.

Sam Houston Jones State Park is now open. Camp sites are being rented by the day only and must be paid for with cash or an in-state check.

RESTAURANT OPENINGS
Steamboat Bills on the Lake is now open.
Aucoin's Cajun Restaurant in Hayes is now open.
The Harlequin will resume normal business hours this weekend.

ATTRACTION OPENINGS
The Creole Nature Trail All-American Road and associated refuges and walkways are now open.
The Childrens Museum is now open.
Prien Lake Mall is now open.

We will update this post as we get more information about hotel, attraction and restaurant openings.

Status Update

The mandatory evacuation for Calcasieu Parish has been lifted. Residents returning home are urged to avoid Highways 165 and 171 as there is a danger of fallen trees. Authorities recommend using Interstate 10 and 49 to return home.

Be sure to stock up on gas and groceries before returning as well since these items are temporarily limited.

The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau is now open.

RESCHEDULED EVENTS
The opening of JAVA at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum will be rescheduled. Please check this blog and http://www.visitlakecharles.org/ for a new opening date.

The 12th Annual Gallery Promenade Scheduled for this weekend has been rescheduled for September 26.

The Golden Dragon Acrobats performance at the Lake Charles Civic Center scheduled for September 5 has been postponed. A rescheduled date will be announced.

HOTEL/CAMPGROUND OPENINGS
L'Auberge du Lac is now open. This includes the shops and restaurants inside the property.

The Isle of Capri is now open.

Delta Downs will reopen Thursday, September 4 at 5 p.m.

Super 8 in Lake Charles is now open.

Comfort Inn in Lake Charles is now open.

Microtel Inn in Sulphur is now open.

Holiday Inn Express in Sulphur is now open.

Best Western Richmond Suites is now open.

Candlewood Suites is now open.

Sam Houston Jones State Park is now open. Camp sites are being rented by the day only and must be paid for with cash or an in-state check.

RESTAURANT OPENINGS
Steamboat Bills on the Lake is now open.
Aucoin's Cajun Restaurant in Hayes is now open.
The Harlequin will resume normal business hours this weekend.

ATTRACTION OPENINGS
The Childrens Museum is now open.
Prien Lake Mall is now open.

We will update this post as we get more information about hotel, attraction and restaurant openings.

Status Update: September 2, 2008

The mandatory evacuation for Calcasieu Parish has been lifted. Residents returning home are urged to avoid Highways 165 and 171 as there is a danger of fallen trees. Authorities recommend using Interstate 10 and 49 to return home.

Be sure to stock up on gas and groceries before returning as well since these items are temporarily limited.

The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau will reopen on Thursday, September 4 at 8:00 a.m. All employees should now make plans to return home.

HOTEL OPENINGS
Super 8 in Lake Charles
Comfort Inn in Lake Charles

We will update this post as we get more information about hotel, attraction and restaurant openings.

Closures as of Monday, September 1, 2008

The following is an updated list of closures. Please advise us of any others by posting a comment to this post. Thank you and please be safe.

The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau is now closed and will remain so until all advisories have been lifted.

A mandatory evacuation of Calcasieu Parish began at Noon on Sunday, August 31.

Calcasieu Parish schools will remain closed through Thursday.

ATTRACTION CLOSURES
The Children's Museum is closed until further notice.

HOTEL CLOSURES
The Super 8 and Comfort Inn in Lake Charles are now closed. Microtel in Sulphur is now closed until further notice.

L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort is now closed until further notice.

FROM http://www.kplctv.com/
THE FOLLOWING SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED THROUGH WEDNESDAY- HAMILTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, DIOCESE OF LAKE CHARLES SCHOOLS, JEFF DAVIS PARISH SHCOOLS, BEAUREGARD PARISH SCHOOLS, CAMERON PARISH SCHOOLS, MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY SOWELA WILL BE CLOSED THROUGH WEDNESDAY. SOWELA STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CHECK THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.SOWELA.EDU FOR UPDATES

ALL CALCASIEU PARISH LIBRARIES THROUGH WEDNESDAY. ANY BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN CHECKED OUT PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR POSSESSION UNTIL LIBRARIES REOPEN NO FINES WILL BE CHARGED

ALL CLINICS AT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY ARE CANCELLED

ALLEN ACTION AGENCY HEADSTART CLOSED TIL THURSDAY

ALLIED WASTE WILL NOT BE PROVIDING TRASH PICK-UP UNTIL AT LEAST WEDNESDAY IN THE FOLLOWING PARISHES: CALCASIEU, CAMERON, ALLEN, EVANGELINE, JEFF DAVIS, ACADIA, ST. LANDRY, ST. MARTIN, LAFAYETTE AND IBERIA. EMPLOYEES ARE URGED TO CONTACT THEIR SUPERVISOR FOR UPDATES OR CALL 1-800-321-8661 FOR MORE INFO.

CAMERON FERRY IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

CARC OFFICES ARE CLOSED UNTIL THURSDAY MORNING

GARBAGE PICKUP FOR LAKE CHARLES HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. ALL RESIDENTS ARE ASKED TO BRING THEIR GARBAGE CANS OFF THE STREET AND PLACE IN A SECURE LOCATION.

LOUISIANA TECHNICAL COLLEGE - OAKDALE CAMPUS CLOSED TUESDAY

THE CITGO EMPLOYEE CALL-IN NUMBER 337-708-6000 OR 1-866-239-6645 TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF THE CITGO LAKE CHARLES MANUFACTURING COMPLEX AND FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. AFTER YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE EVACUATED, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT ALL CITGO EMPLOYEES CONTACT THE COMPANY AT 1-800-440-0858 TO REPORT YOUR STATUS AND CONTACT INFORMATION. PLEASE REMEMBER TO CALL IN AS YOUR SITUATION CHANGES.

THE MAGNOLIA CLINIC IN SULPHUR CLOSED UNTIL THURSDAY

W. O. MOSS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.