With the start of hurricane season just a few days away, officials from both Louisiana and Mississippi have joined forces to strengthen emergency preparedness and evacuation plans.

Officials from both states praised the cooperative efforts and indicated that many of the changes were implemented as a result of public input.

Two important differences are in the contraflow routes, which have been extended in an effort to help avoid the massive backups and bottlenecks seen last year during evacuation for Hurricane Gustav. Those traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 will now be forced onto northbound Interstate 59 when contraflow is in place and will not be able to continue eastbound past Slidell.

Louisiana and Mississippi officials met Tuesday to discuss hurricane preparedness in advance of the 2009 hurricane season. From left, Mark Cooper, Governor's Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness; Col. Mike Edmonson, Louisiana State Police; Bill Ankner, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development; Mike Womack, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency; Willie Huff, Mississippi Department of Transportation; and Steve Simpson, Mississippi Department of Public Safety. (Staff Photo by Anne Lautzenheiser)

“We want to encourage people to think north: Dallas, Memphis or Little Rock,” said Mike Womack, executive director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

“When a storm is coming up in the Gulf, we want to direct people away from that part of the coast.”

Other changes include an extension of northbound contraflow lanes by over 30 miles. On I-59, contraflow will now end at mile marker 55, about 13 miles south of Hattiesburg, while on Interstate 55, traffic restrictions will lift near Brookhaven in Lincoln County.

The extensions are intended to help move traffic congestion out of Picayune and Poplarville. Most exits will generally still be closed, but officials expect to open some periodically to enable motorists to refuel. In addition, a large number of portable toilets will be stationed at welcome centers and rest areas.

Mark Cooper, director of the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, said the state anticipates an increase in the number of people who may need assistance during evacuation.

“We have plans in place to move an estimated 50,000 people, up from 40,000 last year,” said Cooper. “We’ll be using planes, trains and buses.”

More than 600 law enforcement officers, first responders and other emergency personnel will be on hand during evacuation.

“When contraflow is enacted, this is our last effort to move as many people as possible out of harm’s way,” said Col. Mike Edmonson, superintendent of the Louisiana State Police. “When people leave their homes they need to know their house will be safe, and when they get out on the highway they need to know it will go as quickly and safely as it can.”

Motorists can always call 5-1-1 for traffic advisories. Should a storm set its sights on our area, however, the general consensus among all officials seemed to be simple: leave early.

For a hurricane planning guide and more information, go to www.lsp.org or www.gomdot.com.