Baton Rouge (August 30, 2008) - Department of Social Services Secretary Ann Silverberg Williamson is urging all citizens who are evacuating in advance of Hurricane Gustav to dial 211 if they are seeking a shelter inside Louisiana. Residents who are looking for a shelter in another state should call the toll-free number 1-866-Get Info (1-866-438-4636) for the location of Red Cross shelters in another state.

"I am grateful for the partnership of both 211 and the Red Cross. They have worked diligently to create systems to help our residents make it to the closest shelter that has vacancies," said Williamson. "I would also urge media outlets across the state to publicize these numbers so that our residents have the latest information about shelter vacancies as they evacuate."

For the latest on Hurricane Gustav, you can visit emergency.louisiana.gov or call the state's emergency hotline at 1-866-288-2484 to listen to a recorded message with the most up-to-date information.