**** URGENT *** Volunteering in Louisiana and need help NOW. ***

[Lucas]

I'm currently in Shreveport,LA helping out with the relief effort here. I am joining the Center for Disatster Prepareness's mobile medical units in Lafayette which, under normal conditions, would be a three hour drive. I need to be there by 6am tomorrow morning to join the team. From there we will be providing medical relief to Angee, Gulf Port, Buloxi, and other areas where the Red Cross and FEMA are spread too thin.
A greyhound takes 15 hours because all busses going to southern LA are being re-routed through Houston first. Additionally, there are apparently NO one way rental cars avaiable in Shreveport, and I am only 23 so I can't afford the fees to keep a rental for an indefinite period of time.
I know some of you here are truckers and such,what I need to know RIGHT NOW are the actual conditions and estimated time it would take to make the ~200 mile trip. Also, what is the best/fastest/clearest route there?
With this info I may be able to convince someone to donate a ride, or at the very least it would help me greatly with planning my next few hours.

I will try to check this post as time and internet conncectivity permit. If you are in Dallas or in a relatively close city, and would like to help me out with a ride or logistics, *please* call me at 865-405-2721.

For more information on the group that I am working with, check this link:
http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/news/press_releases/Mailman.Katrina.html

 

[Lucas]

Highways are clear all the way to Baton Rouge. I wan unable to make it down tonight. Going to try tomorrow morning. If anyone knows anyone driving down that direction, please call me and let me know.

 

[Fergie]

Talk to Rmasey. I believe he is in that area.

 

[Lou]

Ramsey

 

[Lucas]

Thanks Lou.
Still in a holding pattern in Shreveport.


I know many of you are church going people. Please keep this situation in mind tomorrow, and see if there are any connections that heading that direction, or if your church has a beater van or truck to put to use. Thank you for your time consideration.

 

[Ramsey]

PM'd ya

 

[Lucas]

Back in NYC as of this morning. Just an absolutely crazy past few days. I just wanted to say thanks to Ramsey and the people on this and other 4x4 boards that PMed and called with help.