According to Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, the state of Louisiana is asking for 30 million dollars in federal grant money to help nursing homes and hospitals buy large generators to run air conditioners.
Power outages are common during storms such as Gustav, Rita and Katrina. Nursing homes residents and hospital patients generally have failing health, are frail and are medically needy. Most are evacuated if they are in the direct path of a storm. However, many end up in central Louisiana and north Louisiana, which can sustain severe wind and water damage.
Power outages can last days or even weeks. For a medically compromised person, 98 degree heat can be fatal. Currently, the Department of Health and Hospitals require these facilities to have small generators to operate refrigerators and medical equipment. Many of these facilities cannot afford large generators to operate air conditioners.
Having experienced four days without power during Gustav, I know the heat can be terrible and surely can be life threatening for sick or frail individuals.
I applaud the State’s effort to protects its citizens in their time of need. The State is applying for the money through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Hopefully the generators can be in place for the 2009 hurricane season.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
