Irish people in New Orleans have been urged to keep in touch with family in Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs as the city braces itself for monster Hurricane Gustav.
Residents of the city, which was battered by Hurricane Katrina three years ago, have been ordered to flee as the deadly storm moved into the Gulf of Mexico.
The Department has advised Irish citizens living in the Gulf coast area or who may be intending to visit to watch news reports, pay heed to the advice of the emergency services and register their details with the Department online.
A spokeswoman said the consulate in Chicago has received just one request for assistance and it is not known how many Irish people may be in the area.
“There’s only been one request for information and assistance,” she said.
“It was one gentleman who was in New Orleans who has moved on now to Atlanta out of the way of Hurricane Gustav.
“The consulate in Chicago and our consulate services here are ready to assist anyone that needs it.”
A statement on the Department’s website warns Irish people in the area that if difficulties arise to follow the instructions of the emergency services.
“Irish citizens currently living in or visiting the Gulf coast area or who expect to be in the region should pay attention to news reports and, in the event of difficulties developing, follow the instructions of the local emergency services.
“Irish citizens in the region should keep in contact with their families at home and are also encouraged to register their whereabouts and contact details on the Department of Foreign Affairs Website so that they can be contacted in the event of an emergency.”
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin used stark language to urge residents to get out of the city calling Gustav the storm of the century.
After wrecking havoc in Cuba, Gustav weakened to a Category Three storm as it moved through the Gulf of Mexico.
But it is likely to regain strength before making landfall around New Orleans tomorrow afternoon.
The American Red Cross estimates that over one million people will be forced to leave their homes along the Gulf coast.
PA