Taking Flight From The Wrath OfKatrina

NEW ORLEANS - (08/30/05) -- Tens of thousands of credit unionemployees evacuated this party town Sunday and Monday in front ofHurricane Katrina, which was expected to wreak havoc on The BigEasy and the surrounding Gulf Coast. Hundreds of credit unionsalong the coast shuttered their doors, both the Louisiana andMississippi credit union leagues evacuated their offices, and NCUA,though still assessing the hurricane damage, quickly declared itsemergency disaster plan. Alicia Blanda, a spokesperson for theLouisiana league, told The Credit Union Journal from her hotel roomin Tifton, Ga., where she evacuated, she was hopeful the Big Easywould be reopened to evacuees on Wednesday. The Louisiana leagueposted emergency numbers for its credit unions to contact: MaryWolfe, New Orleans and Tri-Parish member service consultant,504-487-8147; Donna Bordelon, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and LakeCharles member service consultant, 225-229-2818 and Susie Fair,Shreveport, Alexandria and Monroe member service consultant,318-663-7766. Additional emergency contacts include: Connie Major,225-324-1914; Cheryl Oggs, 504-813-4644; Marlene Luke,504-813-4645; Pam Dychtwald, 504-400-0195; Idie Rodriguez,504-481-9181; Gary Robinson, 504-451-2221; Anne Cochran,504-732-7117.