Hurricane Gustav jogged north Monday afternoon, slamming into Baton Rouge and leaving the University’s campus and the city with much damage.Gov. Bobby Jindal visited officials and patients Monday afternoon at the PMAC. Along with the Carl Maddox Fieldhouse, the PMAC is being used as a medical special needs facility during Hurricane Gustav.The status of Saturday’s home football game against Troy State is in question as is the University’s class schedule for the remainder of the week, The Daily Reveille has learned.Meanwhile, the majority of campus is without power. On-campus wireless and cable Internet service is also down.The PMAC is among the many campus locations without power. Two EMS technicians who spoke with Daily Reveille reporters said once power went out, administrators on-scene had five minutes to set the PMAC generator. Officials missed the opportunity, and it will take about four hours for the PMAC to regain power.The EMS workers said it is hot and uncomfortable inside, but they said there is not yet a need to worry about the center’s medical capabilities.During his speech, Jindal said Louisiana residents are strong and the state is more prepared than it was 3 years ago during Hurricane Katrina.Jindal said the patients whom he talked to were in good spirits, but many were ready to go home. University spokeswoman Kristine Calongne said there are at least 330 patients housed in the PMAC.Jindal thanked the students, volunteers, doctors and other medical personnel for their hard work.Chancellor Michael Martin also spoke at the PMAC. He said both the Natatorium and the Carl Maddox Fieldhouse are suffering significant damage from Gustav.The Fieldhouse, which is being used as a shelter by federal authorities, is taking damage on its sides. Officials intend to move people from the Fieldhouse to the PMAC, a shelter run by state officials, but this move has not yet taken place because of the severe weather conditions.Wind gusts have been reported at speeds of up to 92 mph. It continues to rain, though the precipitation is not as severe.Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden has ordered a curfew for the city from 8 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday. Only travel for emergencies is allowed, according to the Associated Press.Updates will be erratic because of the power and Internet outages, but continue checking lsureveille.com for continuing coverage of LSU and Baton Rouge.Nicholas Persac, J.J. Alcantara, Angelle Barbazon, Tyler Batiste, Daniel McBride and Kyle Whitfield contributed to this report.—-Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at [email protected]
Breaking News: Gustav slams campus, city
August 31, 2008