Credit Unions Closed As Katrina Hits GulfCoast

HARAHAN, Louis. - (08/29/05) Credit unions in Louisiana and the GulfCoast are closed this morning as category 4 Hurricane Katrinastrikes the area in what is becoming an unfortunately regularevent. The Louisiana Credit Union League has closed its officetoday and likely tomorrow, and the shared branching network isclosed as well. Meanwhile, the Florida counties of Miami-Dade,Broward and Palm Beach, where Hurricane Katrina struck earlier butin weaker form, were reporting little damage. Florida leaguespokesperson Mark Ivester said the league had activated itsemergency phone contact system, which allows credit unions tomaintain contact with their members and employees, but the systemwas not needed.