A collection of phone numbers for Louisiana state agencies, parish emergency management and law enforcement offices in the southern parishes, and national disaster information centers.

This game of 20 questions can help you determine whether you and your family will be prepared if a hurricane comes your way, according to LSU AgCenter experts.

If an evacuation or other emergency separates family and friends, you’ll want to find each other. Fill out a card for each close friend and relative. Carry it with you wherever you go.

These publications are designed to help Louisiana residents recover from floods, storms, extended power outages and other stressful, dangerous events.

There's a hurricane forming. It's time to pull out your family disaster plan. What's that? You don't have one? See how many of these questions you can answer with a "yes."

Flashbacks, feelings of grief or depression and other symptoms can be attributed to the anniversary of a traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one, an accident or a natural disaster. LSU AgCenter family life professor Dr. Diane D. Sasser expects many people will suffer the "anniversary effects" of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Tips on portable ladder safety including general guidelines for step and extension ladders.

When calm returns after the storm, it’s time to assess the damage and begin repairs. A number of factors should be considered.

The LSU AgCenter’s efforts to help with the cleanup and recovery in New Orleans continue to take on national dimensions. One of the latest projects targeted Bayou Metairie in City Park and included 200 volunteers. Although most were local, some came from as far away as Boston.

Flooding affects everyone in Louisiana, if for no other reason than the reality that management of flood risk and response to flood events consumes public resources (tax dollars).

LSU AgCenter agents in seven South Louisiana parishes are working with other agencies on a project designed to help displaced students meet their ongoing needs. The effort, known as the Partnership for Prevention Education, is targeted toward Louisiana residents affected by last year’s hurricanes.

When LSU AgCenter Hurricane Recovery Coordinator Mark Schexnayder hosted a group of volunteers from Ohio State University in December, he had no idea one of them would soon become a coworker. But that’s the way it turned out when Amanda Hardesty took on the task of volunteer coordinator with Louisiana Sea Grant and settled into sharing office space with other LSU AgCenter personnel in Jefferson Parish

Explanation of flood insurance for disaster victims. Includes tips and help on filing insurance claims.

This page will connect you with hurricane, weather and stream data resources for Louisiana.

A report that illustrates the LSU AgCenter's response to the devastation of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The secret to mildew prevention is two words -- clean and dry. The solution to mildew problems is --- disinfect and dry.

In addition to restoring buildings and replacing material possessions during the recovery period, victims may need to devote time to getting their stress level under control.

A sudden reduction in family income can be a traumatic experience, both psychologically and financially. The hardship can be minimized with a proactive approach.

If your home was flooded, it must be disinfected and dried thoroughly to prevent mildew and future damage by wood rot.

Cleaning up wood debris after a hurricane or other severe windstorm can spread one of Louisiana’s most destructive pests – the Formosan subterranean termite.

Citrus trees that survived hurricane damage may have lost significant amounts of foliage. These trees could experience a strong flush as they start their own healing process. This is very important because new foliage will provide nutrients needed for winter survival and faster tree recovery. Producers must implement practices to protect from additional leaf loss which can be caused by the citrus leafminer.

It’s time to pull out your family disaster plan. Even if you don’t have one, there are still things you can do! Find tips on what to do when preparing for a hurricane, and Emergency Management Offices telephone numbers for selected Louisiana Parishes (most affected by hurricanes and tropical storms). It is designed to print on legal-sized paper.

Provides information and tips for using a generator for emergency power.

Living in south Louisiana, we know that getting ready for the storm means stocking batteries, candles, water, canned goods and first aid supplies. We also need to think about the landscapes that surround our homes or businesses and how they can provide a buffer zone that can reduce storm damage.

Homeowners have shared with Extension some of the common misconceptions about flood insurance that caused them to suffer financial losses greater than they expected.

Many appliances get wet when flooding occurs or when other storm damage strikes. LSU AgCenter experts caution you should exercise care before putting those appliances back in service.

River Stages and Forecasts - Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley

After a major storm or flood, you must assume that all water sources are contaminated until proved safe. Food that has been contaminated by floodwaters should also be handled carefully. Learn how to purify your water and what flooded foods to discard and keep.

Sound stewardship of urban and community trees includes employing the services of arborists to help maintain their health and vitality. This article provides the homeowner tips on finding and hiring a tree care professional for your residential tree care needs.

A large-scale tragedy like Hurricane Katrina can cause strong and deeply-felt reactions in children and adults. Emotional expressions by adults will influence the reactions of children and youth. Teachers can help children deal with their feelings by closely monitoring their own emotional situation and the children in their care as well as modeling healthy coping strategies.

Much of the damage and loss of life associated with hurricanes can be prevented or reduced by planning, preparation and evacuation.

You probably can’t avoid the stress coming in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, but there are ways you can try to manage its effects, according to LSU AgCenter family and child development specialist Dr. Becky White.

The devastation and destruction of Hurricane Katrina prompted financial institutions to develop emergency preparedness plans to provide cash and other basic financial services to their customers quickly and safely.

This workbook was developed in the aftermath of the worst natural disasters to befall Louisiana – hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service of the LSU AgCenter is providing this resource to help families take charge of their lives in a positive way. This program is dedicated to those families who are performing heroic efforts to hold onto hope and rebuild their lives.

Information on flood insurance claims, electrical systems, food and water sanitation, carpets and rugs, and other necessary steps to take in cleaning a flood-damaged home.

Having the right answers before a storm comes your way can help you be prepared if a hurricane strikes.

Don’t wait until a storm is approaching to talk to your children about hurricanes. Everyone will be able to cope better if you get children involved in your plans and preparations, says LSU AgCenter family development specialist Dr. Diane Sasser.

You may not be able to prevent hurricanes and storms that interrupt your routine or destroy your home, but you can make plans to keep them from disrupting everything, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

Most disaster checklists include recommendations to keep a three-day food supply on hand for each person, but just exactly what does that mean? LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames has some of the answers.

You can reduce your expected damage from hurricanes by taking some steps to prepare.

Steps to rid your refrigerator and freezer of noxious odors after a power outage.

Emergency generators are popular after disasters. They can help save food in freezers and refrigerators, but they can be dangerous if not used properly.

Some unscrupulous lenders are using misinformation and high-pressure tactics to prey on vulnerable homeowners. There is no clear-cut definition of a predatory loan, but LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Jeanette Tucker says that it is the result of a lender misleading, tricking and sometimes coercing someone into taking out a home loan at excessive costs and without regard to the homeowner’s ability to repay.

Rent-to-own purchase contracts are popular. Their appeal is great, but if your goal is to own the item, those low weekly payments can add up to a high total cost.

The amount of food you need depends on your age, gender, physical condition and activity level. The general nutrition guidelines for a 3-day supply, shown in the table below, are based on the Food Guide Pyramid.

This will give you an idea of what a three-day supply of shelf-stable foods (for one person) may look like.

The devastation following a natural disaster provides increased opportunities for identity thieves. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years – and thousands of dollars – cleaning up the mess the thieves have made of their good names.

Floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the surrounding area suppressed fire ants in some areas and eradicated them in others, according to experts from the LSU AgCenter. As families move back into the devastated areas, they’re offered a unique opportunity – a red-imported-fire-ant-free landscape, said Dr. Linda Bui, an entomologist with the LSU AgCenter.

As New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region struggle to recover from last year’s hurricanes, help continues to arrive, and LSU AgCenter faculty members continue to assist in coordinating those efforts. Among the latest to help was a group of students from Penn State University, who gave up their spring break last week (March 4-10) to visit the New Orleans area and help to get the city back up and running.

If it is necessary to complete the repairs, however, it is important to receive good quality work, or major deterioration may appear later. Outside contractors and companies will enter the area to offer their services. Some are honest and will do an adequate job, but be careful in working with outside contractors.

One gleaming ship stands out among the others in a Plaquemines Parish shipyard crowded with boats damaged by last year’s hurricanes. That vessel, the Pat-Al, went back in the water this week thanks to a device known as a Marine Travelift and the generosity of people from Alaska.

It's best to get professional cleaners to work on carpets and floors, but this may not be possible. In any case, begin cleanup as soon as possible.

It is important to keep a variety of factors in mind as you attempt to cope with job loss. This document provides tips and strategies for coping.

"I’ve never won anything in my life," cried Tasha Miller. But her day had come. Miller, a 4-H volunteer from New Orleans who lost her home in Hurricane Katrina, was one of 10 who won a 2006 Toyota Prius hybrid from NBA star Amare Stoudemire.

The impact of Katrina and Rita on the Gulf Coast created a greater need for the service learning initiative developed by the Louisiana 4-H Youth Development program. Trained youth and adult teams participated in immediate response and long-term recovery efforts. This video, produced by Vernon Parish 4-H members and adult volunteers, is prime example of this work. Created to provide awareness of Rita’s impact, the video shows scenes of costal Cameron Parish before and after the storm.

After a flood, you’ll be anxious to use your normal water supply – your private well. But, when floodwater covers your well, or neighboring wells, there’s a possibility the water in your well will become contaminated.

An LSU AgCenter portable weather station constructed especially for disaster situations was the only source of local weather data for the New Orleans airport right after Hurricane Katrina.

Termites can’t hold their breath forever, although they have a capacity to live under water for a significant amount of time, according to a world-renowned termite expert. That means termites in areas flooded by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina may not be as prevalent as they have been for a while – offering a small grain of good news among the massive destruction.

(Distributed 1/4/08) On January 7, the two top college football teams in the nation will battle to see who will win, but for many people devastated by Hurricane Katrina, both are already winners.

After a disaster has knocked out electricity or gas lines, cooking meals can be a problem. Cooking can be hazardous if a few basic rules are not followed.

Electrical power may be disrupted for hours, sometimes days. Among the first things affected by the loss of electricity is the food in refrigerators and freezers. There are certain precautions you should take before you begin using food from refrigerators and freezers that have been off for more than a few hours. In fact, there are some things you can do before the power goes out.

There are both commonalities and unique features in every disaster as it affects families. This handout uses the research on children affected by political violence as a guide to outline how children may be impacted by Hurricane Katrina and to provide recommendations to support children and families.

As a 4-H club member and a caring person, you are probably wondering what you can do to help people your age that had to move away from their home town into a different home and a new city and school. Here are some suggested activities to help new students in your schools or at other schools:

Disinfecting a well can sometimes be done by the well owner; however, for some wells it can be difficult to get the disinfectant into the well or other parts of the system that need disinfecting. If professional help is not available for cleaning the well, follow these procedures.

Forestry experts and leaders in the industry say preliminary estimates of the economic devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina exceed $600 million in timber damage and reduced prices for damaged trees.

The LSU AgCenter Coastal Area Research Station is located near Port Sulphur in lower Plaquemines Parish. This aerial photo was taken the day after Hurricane Katrina struck southeast Louisiana and the Mississippi and Alabama coasts.

The following steps should be taken to file an insurance claim for disaster damage to your home.

If you rent or lease an apartment, house or business building and the structure is damaged in a natural disaster, read your lease carefully to determine what you need to do regarding damages, terminating the lease, securing temporary housing and other matters.

Although your policy may not cover flood damage to your home, it does offer some protection from loss caused by natural disasters, such as hurricanes.

Chainsaws are equipped with safety features such as chain brakes and chain catchers that should not be removed. Chainsaw safety starts when you purchase the saw.

Southwest and south central Louisiana beef cattle producers have endured a devastating hit from Hurricane Rita. The Louisiana Ag Summary suggests that more than 175,000 cows reside in the parishes that were hardest hit. Saltwater intrusion coupled with fence damage has greatly limited the options for wintering beef cattle in these areas. This article provides various winter options for beef cattle in Louisiana.

Louisiana’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries have been and continue to be severely affected by Hurricane Katrina. Several USDA programs can help agricultural farmers and ranchers begin their recovery from hurricanes.

Obstacles to shipping grain out of the Port of New Orleans because of damages from Hurricane Katrina remain a hindrance for farmers, but encouraging signs emerged Sept. 7.

Many cattle producers in southeastern Louisiana didn’t fare too well as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Observers estimate producers lost at least 80 percent of the cattle in Plaquemines Parish.

Natural disasters often bring an influx of con artists looking for ways to take advantage of the suffering and confusion. Consider these tips to protect yourself and your money.

Camp Grant Walker is one of the shelters for people seeking refuge from Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricane Katrina refugees needing medical attention are treated at both the Field House and the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

The animal shelter was set up in Parker Coliseum in response to Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.

While most eyes are focused on New Orleans, the surrounding countryside has suffered a severe blow from Hurricane Katrina that’s expected to affect several Louisiana agricultural commodities.

A mild hurricane season in 2007 shouldn’t be a reason for letting your guard down, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter. Make sure you're prepared long before you hear a storm might be headed your way.

These tips will help you benefit from your good credit and to ensure that your credit record is not harmed in the wake of disaster.

If you don’t have the right answers to this hurricane quiz, you may be flirting with disaster for your home or your family, cautions LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel.

Guide to information about emergency measures you can use to protect property from flooding (rising water)

These documents provide information on protecting new and existing buildings from future flood damage.

After a disaster such as a hurricane, flood, or fire, important papers may be destroyed, lost or damaged. There are many agencies, web sites and procedures that can help you replace your documents.

After a disaster strikes, whether it is a hurricane, flood, or tornado, you could find yourself without a job and needing a source of income. The Louisiana Department of Labor responds to disasters with unemployment insurance benefits and disaster unemployment assistance.

Farmers attending workshops in Acadia and Calcasieu parishes Tuesday (Oct. 25) learned about assistance for dealing with hardships caused by two hurricanes that struck the state this summer. Similar sessions, organized by the LSU AgCenter, were planned for New Iberia, Hammond and Raceland over the next few days.

The flood insurance policy provides limited coverage for expenses you incur trying to protect insured property from flood damage.

A flood-damaged home requires special attention to avoid a population explosion of molds, other fungi, algae and bacteria, LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel says.

The Louisiana Gulf Coast was devastated by urricanes Katrina and Rita and is moving from a rescue-oriented crisis into long-term recovery. If you live in these areas and still need help, or if you can help cattlemen prepare for winter, please read this article for staging information.

Hurricanes are divided into five categories to help recognize the threat they pose to structures and inhabitants of coastal and inland areas.

With hundreds of square miles of standing water in flooded areas, mosquitoes are expected to be rampant in Southeast Louisiana in the days ahead.

The Disaster Recovery Centers have representatives from federal, state, local, and volunteer agencies on hand to answer questions and provide recovery information. Written materials about various assistance programs are also available to individuals and business owners.

When disaster strikes, people everywhere want to help those individuals in need. To ensure that this compassion and generosity are put to good use, it’s important to know what stages victims go through disaster recovery.

Con artists unfortunately will be looking for ways to take advantage of the suffering and confusion in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Louisiana’s fisheries resources affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita will benefit from fisheries restoration funding in the 2006 Federal Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, according to state officials.

The LSU AgCenter has compiled a list of links and contact information of government agencies and charities engaged in the rescue and recovery efforts.

Louisiana families impacted by disaster often experience a sudden reduction in income that can be financially and emotionally traumatic. Reduce this hardship by taking positive action.

If you are without power because of Hurricane Katrina, the food in your freezer has a limited lifespan as short as 24 hours. Food can remain frozen longer, up to 48 hours, but that duration depends on specific conditions.

Loss of belongings could be the least of the worries for some refugees of Hurricane Katrina – many of whom have lost their jobs or had to take temporary unpaid leave, according to LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

Based on the information known at the time of the storm, and given the historical value of these industries to the state, the AgCenter was able to provide preliminary estimates on losses of revenue due to production losses.

After Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana on August 29, 2005, the AgCenter quickly began to assess the damage caused to the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries industries. Since those initial estimates, the AgCenter has refined its projections and now pegs the total economic impact due losses in revenue and additional production costs at slightly over $1.0 billion.

The dollar amounts, which are estimates of reduced revenue and increased costs, are broken down by storm and commodity. Total estimated costs are also provided.

After taking a firsthand look at the needs of New Orleans, officials with investment banking firm Goldman Sachs decided to lend some helping hands plus cash to the recovery effort.

Horses that survived the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina still may need special attention to assure their continued health.

Regularly checking the trees in your yard for damage, disease and other indications of danger is important, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter, who say the beginning of hurricane season is a good reminder to do it now.

The attached materials provide guidance and materials that can be used to help junior high and high school students cope with the aftermath of hurricanes or other natural disasters.

In the aftermath of the devastation and destruction of Hurricane Katrina, the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions is urging financial institutions to "work with" their customers affected by the storm.

The capacity of plants to grow satisfactorily in salty conditions depends on a number of interrelated factors. The physiological condition of the plant, its stage of growth, and its rooting habits certainly are among them.

Preliminary estimates of damage to Louisiana commodities caused by Hurricane Rita so far total $507 million, according to an LSU AgCenter report.

Cattle producers along Louisiana’s Gulf Coast are still rounding up their herds, and they are desperate for feed, hay and water for their cattle displaced by Hurricane Rita. The animals have been forced to high ground where little forage remains.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals recommends testing private well water for total coliform bacteria following floods.

Many lawnmowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers, and other lawn and garden equipment with small engines were inundated during the flooding from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In many cases, that equipment can be salvaged.

My home was infested with rats after the hurricane. I picked up quite a few dead rats in the house and in the attic. I am concerened about dead decaying rats in the walls and attic insulation. Can you tell me what to do?

Every forest owner has questions and decision needs when faced with salvaging timber after a storm.

Questions about logging downed timber from the hurricanes and wet yard locations.

Hurricane Katrina put a lot of limbs and whole trees on the ground in various areas of the state, and many people already are working on cleanup efforts. An LSU AgCenter forest safety specialist says safety should be a major consideration during those efforts – particularly when it comes to use of a chainsaw.

Hurricane Rita's impact on agriculture and natural resources in southwestern Louisiana was widespread. See more photos in this gallery.

At present, hundreds of Louisiana cattlemen and thousands of cattle need help. Find out how to help and what to donate.

On the eve of the first anniversary of Hurricane Rita, fishermen in Cameron Parish were celebrating the dedication of a new ice plant that will aid in the recovery effort under way in South Louisiana.

Some lawns were lost to the flood waters and some were only hurt in spots. Dead areas will have to be replanted, or a weed patch will result. Some forethought before planting may save time, effort and money.

The LSU AgCenter's mission is to serve Louisiana. And the employees did. In some cases, they were there to help others after hurricanes Katrina and Rita at great personal sacrifice to themselves. Read about the LSU AgCenter's response.

The phrase “wet floodproofing” may sound like a contradiction, but it is the label used to refer to a collection of methods intended to reduce damage to a building when flooding occurs. This publication explains how wet floodproofing lets water into the building but protects the structure, contents and building systems independently.

Don’t give up was the message from one state’s 4-H’er to those in Louisiana who were affected by the recent hurricanes. To stress that message, 4-H’ers from across North Carolina collected school supplies, toiletries and stuffed animals for victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The items were packed into "Boxes of Hope" that arrived in Louisiana Monday (Oct. 17).

The aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita is a wake-up call for all whose homes were spared. It’s a vivid reminder of the importance of making your home stronger, safer and smarter.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were not kind to Louisiana’s pecan crop. The projected harvest before the hurricanes was already 40 percent below average, and it’s estimated the hurricanes destroyed half of that amount.

A breeze is blowing through storm-beaten pecan trees in Ben Littlepage’s 300-acre orchard near Colfax. The trees are almost leafless, and there’s about a handful of pecans left on one very large native tree.

An ounce of prevention can be worth a pound of cure when it comes to building homes that stand in the path of a hurricane. Stronger and smarter is the message building specialists are sending to builders and homeowners. (TV News 1/2/06. Runtime: 1 minute 34 seconds)

You need to take some precautions during hurricane season if you have a boat moored, docked or stored in a recreational harbor along the Gulf Coast, an LSU AgCenter expert says.

Your new home can be safeguarded by using preservative-treated wood and following an integrated pest management program at the time of construction.

Fire ants can be a serious problem after hurricanes – particularly in flooded areas, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

Athough it is uncommon in most homes, toxic mold, also known as black mold, has become a major issue for some home builders and homeowners in the United States. The effects have run the gamut from disposal to litigation.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita did not interfere with the LSU AgCenter’s efforts to control Formosan termites in New Orleans. Known as the French Quarter Program, the federally funded pilot test began in 1998.

LSU AgCenter coastal resources agent Mark Shirley had hoped to bring a group of students back to a plot near Holly Beach where they had planted marsh grass during the 4-H Marsh Maneuvers program in July. But, after driving for several miles on La. 82 between Holly Beach and Johnson’s Bayou last weekend, Shirley gave up on his hope to find the transplanted grass, which apparently fell victim to Hurricane Rita’s wrath.

After a natural disaster many people are housed temporarily in travel trailers provided by FEMA. Safety issues arise from these unique temporary living quarters.

The images of children sitting idle moved Tennessee high school student Emily Hollingsworth to take action, and Hollingsworth inspired a whole community.

Will the South American rice leaf miner be affected by salt water pushed ashore by Hurricane Rita? LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Boris Castro said it’s possible the rice pest’s population could have been weakened by the high salinity, but there’s no way of knowing yet.

South Louisiana rice fields contaminated with salt from Hurricane Rita’s storm surge have shown some improvements, although not as much as expected, and salinity levels actually have increased in some sugarcane fields.

With most of the citrus groves in Plaquemines Parish destroyed by last fall’s hurricanes, growers in the Lafourche-Terrebonne area are preparing to fill part of that market niche.

Hurricane Rita destroyed homes, schools and barns when it ripped through Cameron Parish last fall. It also bruised and battered the hopes of hundreds of 4-H’ers looking forward to showing livestock.

The temporary shelter at Parker Coliseum on the LSU campus, set up to handle pet animals evacuated from hurricane-affected areas of southeast Louisiana, is bursting at the seams and accepting no more animals at this time.

A floodwall is a self-supporting barrier to floodwater. It may look like a garden wall or privacy fence, but it has more internal reinforcing and a more substantial foundation. This heavier construction keeps the wall from tipping or sliding. The foundation also blocks seepage of water under the wall. This publication includes information on the cost, considerations and construction of floodwalls.

Construction continues on the LSU AgCenter’s showcase home, the Louisiana House Home and Landscape Resource Center. The special features of the structure could influence techniques and components used to rebuild hurricane-damaged areas. Runtime: 60 seconds. (Radio News 1/9/06).

Eager to get a feel for recovery work, nine students from McDaniel College in Maryland are spending two weeks with LSU AgCenter agents lending a hand in the cleanup following Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita exposed how vulnerable standard buildings can be to powerful storms. A lesson from these storms is to build stronger and smarter, the experts say. Runtime: 60 seconds. (Radio News 1/9/06)

Representatives with the U.S. Department of Energy toured the LSU AgCenter’s showcase home, known as LaHouse, and said this structure shows what homeowners can do to streghten their homes and make them more efficient. Runtime: 60 seconds. (Radio News 1/9/06)

Hurricanes Rita and Katrina were not good for the already struggling Louisiana sugarcane industry, but the storms did not do as much damage as growers first anticipated. (TV News 12/12/05. Runtime: 1 minute 25 seconds)

LSU AgCenter researchers are studying the effects of salt water in rice after many fields were flooded during Hurricane Rita. The study started with extensive soil sampling of affected areas. LSU AgCenter agronomist Dr. Gary Breitenbeck explains. (Radio News 12/12/05)

Salt water flowed into sugarcane fields during Hurricane Rita, but the layout of a sugarcane field can be beneficial in ridding the field of salt. LSU AgCenter agronomist Dr. Gary Breitenbeck explains. (Radio News 12/12/05)

Nearly four months after Hurricane Katrina, the flowers are beginning to bloom again in New Orleans City Park, thanks to some LSU AgCenter Master Gardeners. As soon as the ground became dry enough, LSU AgCenter horticulture agent Karen Blackburn of Orleans Parish started rounding up the troops – specially training LSU AgCenter volunteers – to see what could be done to bring the botanical garden back to life.

Louisiana residents can learn how to operate chainsaws more safely through workshops offered by the LSU AgCenter.

Joseph Lstiburek, a principal of Building Science Corp. of Westford, Mass., and an international expert on moisture-related building problems, recently led a two-part seminar on designing and building for extreme climates. Sponsored by the LSU AgCenter, the program was held in Baton Rouge last week (Dec. 15).

As the cleanup from this summer’s hurricanes continues, LSU AgCenter agents are helping coordinate the work of people who are coming to the rescue. Among those were 30 students from The Ohio State University who arrived in Louisiana earlier this week (Dec. 11-17) ready to roll up their sleeves and pitch in to clean up parts of hurricane-ravaged South Louisiana.

The sound of rain falling Wednesday night (Dec. 14) was sweet as a symphony to Gary Wicke, an LSU AgCenter county agent in Cameron Parish. Reducing salt contamination in the marsh from Hurricane Rita will improve chances for cattle forage to regrow. The sooner that happens, the better, Wicke said.