10:11 AM CDT on Sunday, August 28, 2005

WWLTV.com

Mayor Ray Nagin ordered a mandatory evacuation of the city of New Orleans in the face of Category-5 Katrina which was expected to make a direct strike on the city early Monday.

Nagin said that the predicted tidal surges and heavy rains could mean widespread flooding and power outages that could last for some time.

The order extends to everyone in the city of New Orleans with the following exceptions: Essential military and law enforcement personnel from the city and state, regulated utilities employees, essential members of the media, hospital employees and their patients, medical personnel, Criminal Sheriff's personnel and inmates and hotels and their patrons.

Nagin said the city could and would commandeer any property or vehicle it deemed necessary to provide safe shelter or transport for those in need.

He also opened the Louisiana Superdome as a shelter of last resort that would begin accepting people around Noon. He said the Dome would have few supplies and that people were expected to bring food and other necessary items. RTA buses were going to be sent to pick up those going to shelters at designated pickup points.

Nagin discouraged staying in the Superdome, saying that people would not have access to power and possibly plumbing.

His pickup spots were:

Martin Luther King Elementary.

William Franz Elementary.

Warren Easton High School.

Israel Augustine School.

McMain Magnet School.

Sylvanie Williams Elementary School.

Rabouin School.

Arthur Mondy in Algiers.

O. Perry Walker High School.

Abramson High School.

Sara T. Reed School

New Orleans Mission