Just got this from my brother who is now in emergency management in Oregon, that was down there for Katrina and moved away soon afterwards..

Highlights provided after watching Mayor Nagin's briefing - 13h00 NOLA time.
Next briefing 19h00

CAEP [city assisted evac plan] began at 08h00 - seems to be working well.
One bus contractor did cancel - was supposed to handle pets. Fire dept has
stepped in to assist.

Union Passenger terminal is a processing center - 22 buses have already left
1100-1200 people. One train - 1500 people aboard - to leave imminently for
Memphis TN. 20,000 registered estimate 30,000 total. have contingency plans
if number exceeds 30,000.

- Once th storm gets into the Gulf, Mayor Nagin expects a surge in
evacuations.

- Curfew has not been issued yet. Once issued, anyone on the streets
not on their property will be arrested in all likelihood.

- 1500 NG troops in the city - good partnership with the NOLA PD

Bus pick-up continues. Water being taken to pickup points. [from my sources:
EMS crews at Union Passenger Terminal to provide water, wellness checks.]
Misting machines being brought in. Senior may require wheelchairs - cots.
Resources incoming. Misting tents.

Registration system crashed - processing will take place at shelters
instead. 311 registrations - 13,000 to 20,000 and counting - system is very
stressed. People do not need to register on 311 unless they have SPECIAL
NEEDS.

Gustav jogged to west. NOLA in cone of probability. Significant storm surge
and rain.

Mayor strongly encouraging people to evacuate North. Time for tourists to
leave the city. Do not wait. Start the process now.

Gustav now a cat 3 - if path continues - mandatory evac of NOLA will begin
at 08h00 after 07h30 briefing. While not mandatory yet, evacuation is
strongly encouraged.

ContraFlow will start as early as this afternoon but more likely tomorrow
morning. Mayor Nagin suggests State stage additional buses at Zephyr Stadium
should there be an additional surge at last moment. Buses are transporting
evacuees to Shreveport and Alexandria. Everyone evacuated out will be given
transport back to the city. Nagin emphasizes State should max buses pre
stage at Zephyr Stadium.

If you decide to stay, you will be required to stay inside your property.
Progressively step-up in rhetoric. Next time will be 'Get the heck out!' -
direct quote from Mayor Nagin. We need to shut down all tourist activities
so we can focus on senior citizens and people with special needs. Can
tourist take the city buses out? We will accommodate any tourist who needs
to leave the city. Most hotels are closing at 4 pm today. University staff
shutting down as well.

All hospitals open - most fragile critical patients being evacuated. Nursing
homes being evacuated.

Multiple languages being used for briefing - English, Spanish, Vietnamese
however no signing visible at this time. No text accompanying briefing at
this time.

We will stop evacuations when winds reach tropical wind force. We will work
24/7 as best we can. Fragile psyche in the city - it will be a tough one and
we'll get through this.

Gustav now a Cat 4 storm - winds of 145 mp. NHC now calling this an
extremely dangerous storm. Jefferson and Orleans Parish will be affected
first. coming from the South.

PD essential personnel - being sensitive to people with signs of stress -
will allow them to exit the city - being firm and flexible.

Be well. Practice big medicine.

Hal

Hal Newman

Executive Director, National Emergency Management Resource Center [NEMRC]

Toll Free: 1-888-NEMRC-11 [1-888-626-7211]