HURRICANE KATRINA: More than 20,000 Army and Air National Guard Members Expected in Gulf Region by Late Today, 30,000 Expected Within a Few Days

American Forces Press Service today reports that more than 13,000 Army and Air National Guard members were on state active duty this morning in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

The number is expected to increase to more than 20,000 by the end of the day, according to National Guard Bureau officials.

Speaking to reporters by satellite phone from Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss., Regional Airport, Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore said the National Guard currently has 4,700 National Guardsmen on the ground in Louisiana and 2,700 in Mississippi

In Louisiana, those numbers will increase to 7,400 later today and to 8,600 by Sept. 2, he said. In Mississippi, 6,000 guardsmen will be on duty by nightfall and 9,500 by Sept. 2.

Pentagon spokesman Larry Di Rita told reporters today the total National Guard contribution to the effort is likely to spike closer to 30,000 in the days ahead.

According to officials, many of those troops will be dedicated to the law-enforcement missions.

Honore also said during his phone conference that he ordered the Bataan to move to Biloxi, Miss., to support search-and-rescue efforts in Mississippi, where he said the disaster had spread over a far larger area than in Louisiana, leaving many areas isolated.

In addition, U.S. Transportation Command has flown eight swift-water rescue teams from California to Lafayette, La. These civilian volunteer teams are trained to rescue stranded people from flooded areas.

High Speed Vessel Swift was also in the waters off Louisiana in anticipation of filling requests for help by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, officials said.

Plans are also being made to deploy USS Grapple to the region to help with maritime and underwater survey and salvage operations, officials reported.

HURRICANE KATRINA: Military Sets Up Numerous Staging Areas for Relief Operations

Federal operational staging areas have been set at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.; Naval Air Station Meridian, Miss.; Barksdale Air Force Base, La.; Alexandria, La.; and Fort Polk, La., in an effort to speed the movement of relief supplies and emergency personnel into the affected areas, officials said today.

Joint Forces Command is also providing DoD-leased property at the former England Air Force Base, La., as an intermediate staging base to support hurricane response in Louisiana. The airfield will serve as a staging point for National Guard troops arriving from other states to join the hurricane relief effort.

Liaisons are also based in Clanton, Ala., Baton Rouge; and Jackson, Miss., to coordinate operations among U.S. Northern Command, other DoD elements and FEMA.

HURRICANE KATRINA: Navy Troops, Ships Responding to Gulf Coast Crisis

More than 7,000 active-duty troops, mostly Navy, are supporting hurricane-relief operations in the devasted Gulf Coast region, American Forces Press Service reports.

USS Harry S. Truman, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, was preparing to leave Norfolk, Va., today to serve as a command center and afloat staging base, Lt. Trey Brown, a Navy spokesman, said.

Truman is expected to carry additional helicopters from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., to support search-and-rescue operations.

USS Whidbey Island, a dock landing ship based in Norfolk, will also depart for the Gulf today to help move heavy equipment ashore in areas not accessible by land.

The Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group is also sailing from Norfolk and is expected to be operating off the Louisiana coast beginning Sept. 4, officials said. The strike group includes USS Iwo Jima, USS Shreveport USS Tortuga and USNS Arctic.

The hospital ship USNS Comfort is slated to leave its Baltimore port Sept. 2, to reach the hurricane region by Sept. 8 and provide critical medical support, Air Force Brig. Gen. Terry Scherling, deputy director of antiterrorism and homeland defense for the Joint Staff, told reporters Aug. 31.

HURRICANE KATRINA: Military Focusing on Search and Rescue, Air-Based Efforts Increase

U.S. military support is concentrating on three priorities President Bush laid out during an Aug. 31 statement to the nation: first, save lives; second, sustain lives with food, water, shelter and medical supplies; and finally, execute a comprehensive recovery effort, American Forces Press Service reported today.

Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore said the primary emphasis now is on conducting search-and-rescue missions and providing other life-saving support, such as getting people to the medical care they need.

Equally critical, he said today, is getting food and drinkable water to those left homeless by Katrina.

Four MH-53 Sea Stallion and two HH-60 Seahawk helicopters from USS Bataan are flying medical-evacuation and search-and-rescue missions today in Louisiana.

Three helicopters from the Army's 3rd Corps at Fort Hood, Texas, are in Baton Rouge, La., and two more are in Mississippi supporting search-and-rescue missions and damage assessments.

Another five helicopters from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and the 347th Rescue Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., are also in Mississippi continuing searches and rescues, officials said.

Four HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters from the 55th Rescue Squadron are slated to leave Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 2 to provide additional search-and-rescue support in Mississippi, Air Force officials reported.

The Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., has also started generating missions for Air Mobility Command aircrews to fly supporting relief efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi, Air Force officials said.

HURRICANE KATRINA: F4W Deploying Wireless Emergency Broadband Network for Mississippi Disaster Relief Efforts

F4W today announced the deployment of its Tactical Wireless Emergency Broadband Network (TWEB) to assist disaster relief efforts in the hardest hit areas of Mississippi.

The TWEB network will provide secure wireless Internet and phone service to multiple mobile command centers and patrol vehicles from the various responding agencies. Additionally, F4W will deploy a Wireless Emergency Broadband Video (WEBV) network to provide wireless surveillance video of key intersections, staging areas and food distribution centers.

"The tactical nature of this technology allows us to offer services not possible with other wireless or wired networks. We are able to deploy a network that covers several miles in a matter of hours, as was demonstrated by our deployment last year after hurricane Charley," said Harry Timmons, president of F4W.

TWEB networks feature Motorola, Tachyon and Panasonic equipment and F4W control software and network devices.

"In an area of vast devastation with no traditional phone lines, cell phone or public safety radio services, the F4W TWEB network will provide critical communications for relief agencies and a lifeline from the disaster area to the outside world," Allan Edwards, CEO of F4W, said. "F4W will do everything possible to extend these services wherever they are needed."

Based in Lake Mary, Fla., F4W is a developer of proprietary fourth-generation mobile broadband wireless services, applications, and products. It provides Tactical Wireless Emergency Broadband solutions for homeland security, first responders and law enforcement agencies.

HURRICANE KATRINA: Honeywell Donating Money for Relief Efforts, Providing Sikorsky 76 Helicopter for Rescue Missions

Honeywell will donate up to $500,000 to support multiple programs to help those who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The contributions, made through Honeywell Hometown Solutions, will first target Honeywell employees affected by the storm. Remaining funds will be used to support local fire and rescue squads whose resources have been depleted through their "heroic efforts" to rescue survivors and specific rebuilding projects in Honeywell communities, including Baton Rouge and Geismar, La.

Additionally, Honeywell is making the company's Sikorsky 76 helicopter and its supporting air and ground crews available to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help with search and rescue and emergency supply efforts.

"Honeywell is committed to helping rebuild the communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina," said Dave Cote, Honeywell chairman and CEO. "It has been great to see that Honeywell employees everywhere have asked what they can do to help. By partnering with our employees, we will play a role in bringing relief to the victims of this storm and helping them begin the long recovery process."

Honeywell will contribute $100,000 to the Honeywell Humanitarian Relief Fund and will match all employee donations dollar-for-dollar to the fund. Monies from the fund will be used to support local Honeywell employees and local fire and emergency squads.

The company said it will also underwrite the costs associated with specific rebuilding projects in affected Honeywell communities once local efforts turn from search and rescue to rebuilding. Honeywell has approximately 525 employees in Louisiana and Mississippi.

HURRICANE KATRINA: Nalco Holding Company Still Assessing Impact of Storm on Operations, Reports No Major Damage to Facilities

Nalco Holding Company today said the impacts of Hurricane Katrina on its overall operations remain difficult to assess, even though manufacturing operations sustained no major damage.

Nalco is a leading provider of integrated water treatment and process improvement services, chemicals and equipment programs for industrial and institutional applications.

Nalco plants in Scott and Port Allen, La., resumed operations with minimal disruption, the company said, with power restored yesterday to the company's largest manufacturing facility in Garyville, La.

The company said many operations at the plant are beginning to ramp up today, but it expects to face restrictions from raw material, distribution and employee availability.

"Nalco's manufacturing capabilities remain intact. However, we have incurred additional costs that run at least several million dollars. In addition, there are potentially broader implications on Nalco's performance resulting from Katrina," said Dr. William H. Joyce, chairman and chief executive officer.

"We are still in the process of determining the hurricane's impact on our customers' operations and on our suppliers in terms of raw material availability and price. In addition, problems in the regional distribution network will add to freight costs and supply challenges. The vast disruption caused by the hurricane has impacted our production and customers' demands. We are not yet able to quantify those impacts or to determine the full effect of the hurricane on our ability to meet our financial performance targets," Dr. Joyce added.

HURRICANE KATRINA: Kenyon International Emergency Services Working with DHS to Provide Mobile Morgue Support

Kenyon International Emergency Services, a disaster management company, has activated an emergency action team to respond to the needs of Baton Rouge, La ., under an agreement with the the Department of Homeland Security.

Kenyon has deployed one of its fully-equipped mobile morgue kits and a 10-member, specially-trained team to provide morgue support to the area.

The mobile morgue includes equipment for search and recovery, victim identification, and pathology. It is one of three mobile morgues held world-wide by Kenyon. Earlier this year, Kenyon deployed a mobile morgue and a large response team for the tsunami efforts in Phuket, Thailand.

Kenyon International Emergency Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Houston-based Service Corporation International. Founded in 1929, the company has responded to more than 300 mass-fatality incidents in its 75 year history.

HURRICANE KATRINA: MAR Oil Donates Profits from Oil Price Increases to Red Cross

MAR Oil Company is donating $13,200 to the Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund to help those victims in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.

The amount represents 10 times the profit that the company estimates it will receive for its oil production because of the recent increase in oil prices caused by Hurricane Katrina.

MAR Oil Company is a very small Delaware corporation that explores for and produces oil and gas in Ohio. A Canadian family privately owns MAR Oil Company.

HURRICANE KATRINA: Devon Energy Corporation Restores 50 Percent of Oil and Natural Gas Production, No Spills Reported

Devon Energy Corporation today reported that it has restored about 50 percent of its Gulf of Mexico oil and natural gas production following Hurricane Katrina. Approximately two-thirds of the restored production is natural gas.

Devon had suspended essentially all of its production in the Gulf of Mexico beginning on August 27 as a precautionary measure. Devon produces approximately 80,000 equivalent barrels of oil per day from wells located in the Gulf of Mexico, or roughly 13 percent of the company's worldwide oil and gas production.

"Devon's Gulf team did an outstanding job preparing our offshore facilities ahead of the hurricane and resuming operations following the storm," said Stephen J. Hadden, senior vice president, exploration and production. "The safety of our employees and protection of the environment are always our top priorities. To date, we have experienced no injuries or spills associated with the storm."

The company also reported that it expects to bring on an additional 30,000 barrels of oil per day of production following completion of damage assessments and any necessary repairs to third-party facilities and transportation systems.

Some oil pipelines are in the process of being pressure tested before being placed back into service. Additionally, some onshore oil terminals that are not currently operational await restoration of electrical power, Devon Energy said.

The company said damage assessments on Devon's properties that account for the remaining suspended production, approximately 9,000 barrels of oil per day in the eastern Gulf, have not yet been completed. Devon's facilities in the western and central Gulf of Mexico sustained minimal damage.

Devon said it is insured against physical damages and revenues lost due to interrupted production. Revenue reimbursements are subject to a standard waiting period.

Devon Energy Corporation is an Oklahoma City-based independent energy company engaged in oil and gas exploration, production and property acquisitions.

HURRICANE KATRINA: Apache Corp. Pledges $1 Million to Assist Hurricane Victims

Apache Corporation has pledged $1 million to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina and said an employee committee has been established to work with Apache personnel and relief agencies in Louisiana in directing contributions to those hardest hit by the hurricane.

"Hurricane Katrina has turned tens of thousands of people's lives upside down, including a number of Apache employees," said Apache CEO and President G. Steven Farris. "We have a large presence in Louisiana, with numerous employees, contractors and their families living and working in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. We are extremely proud that our employees have stepped forward to help their colleagues impacted by the storm with contributions of cash, clothing and other necessities."

Apache Corporation is an oil and gas independent with core operations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom North Sea, Egypt and Australia.

HURRICANE KATRINA: AstraZeneca Donating Free Medicine to Victims, $1 Million to Help Red Cross with Disaster Efforts

AstraZeneca pharmaceutical company today said it will provide free medicines to patients and clinics through the AstraZeneca Patient Assistance and Caring Partners Programs and to national and local disaster relief organizations providing aid to the hurricane-affected areas.

The company is also donating a direct cash contribution of $1 million to the American Red Cross to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and will also match dollar-for-dollar all contributions made by its U.S. employees to the American Red Cross.

"We are dealing with a tragedy beyond anything we could imagine. There are so many people affected directly and indirectly by this catastrophe. AstraZeneca is committed, along with the broader healthcare community, to helping people affected by this terrible event, some of whom include our own AstraZeneca employees," said David Brennan, president and CEO, AstraZeneca US.

"We are working with the appropriate agencies to coordinate our donations and will continue to assess the situation to determine how AstraZeneca can help rebuild the lives and communities devastated by this disaster," Brennan said.

People currently taking AstraZeneca medications who are affected by the hurricane and currently enrolled in the AstraZeneca Foundation Patient Assistance Program (PAP) can call 1-800-424-3727 to request a product refill or replacement, and indicate where they would like it to be shipped in the event of relocation.

Those who previously have been prescribed an AstraZeneca medication but who are not enrolled in an AstraZeneca Patient Assistance Program are urged to visit a physician, pharmacist, local clinic/hospital or disaster relief agency to receive the AstraZeneca product that they have been prescribed.

AstraZeneca is working with the American Red Cross and other agencies to continually monitor the impact on affected areas and to provide additional product as needed.

HURRICANE KATRINA: Modine Manufacturing Donating Relief Funds; Says Mississippi Employees Safe, No Serious Damage to Jackson Plant

Modine Manufacturing today said its charitable foundation and employees worldwide will donate up $150,000 or more to Hurricane Katrina relief agencies.

"Thankfully, most of our employees at our Jackson, Miss., plant have checked in with us and are safe. Our plant was not seriously damaged, but the communications are hampered and the area's infrastructure is devastated. The need in the entire region is so great. Our employees want to help and we want to help," said David Rayburn, Modine president and chief executive officer.

"Our hearts go out to the people in the middle of the destruction. With the hurricane and now the flooding, it will be months before all the damage is known. We want to do what we can to provide assistance," Rayburn said.

Modine's charitable foundation will immediately donate $50,000, divided equally between the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, and will match employee gifts of up to $50,000. Total contribution could exceed $150,000 if employees donate more than $50,000.

Modine specializes in thermal management systems and components, bringing heating and cooling technology and solutions to diversified global markets. Its products are used in light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, HVAC equipment, industrial equipment, refrigeration systems, fuel cells and electronics.

HURRICANE KATRINA: El Paso Corporation Reports Minimal Damage to Production Facilities, Offshore Pipeline Facilities Not Fully Inspected

El Paso Corporation today said it has nearly completed the process of re-staffing and inspecting its production facilities along the Gulf Coast. Initial inspections indicate minimal damage.

The company reports minimal damage to the facilities on ANR pipeline and isolated damage to facilities on Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) and Southern Natural Gas (SNG).

Limited resources and challenging logistics are hampering efforts to access and fully inspect offshore pipeline facilities at this time, the company added.

The company has inspected 61 of the 77 platforms that it operates, and overall, damage is minimal. The most common problem is damage to heliports. One El Paso platform was destroyed in the storm.

Because pipelines downstream of El Paso's operations are still assessing the integrity of their systems, the company cannot predict how soon the remaining production will resume.

The Bay Saint Louis compressor station in Mississippi and the Leeville and Port Sulphur stations in Louisiana have sustained water damage as have the Toca and Olga stations on SNG.

El Paso's south Louisiana gathering and processing assets sustained minimal damage and power interruptions and have returned to operational status. On August 8, the company announced the sale of these assets and still expects to close the transaction in the fourth quarter.

El Paso Corporation owns North America's largest natural gas pipeline system and one of North America's largest independent natural gas producers.

HURRICANE KATRINA: Houston Exploration Co. Reports Continued Production Shut-In

The Houston Exploration Company today said that an estimated 63 millions of cubic feet equivalent (Mmcfe) per day of net production remains shut in, primarily due to pipelines and facilities that are temporarily out of service.

The company anticipates the majority of these volumes will be back on stream within the next two to four days.

At the time of the storm the company had six rigs running in the Gulf, all of which will be operational in the next three to four days. All of the company's manned facilities have been inspected, and at first assessment, damage appears to be minimal, the company said.

At Main Pass 264, where the company has a three-well development drilling program, the rig and platform have been boarded and drilling operations are expected to resume within the next three to four days.

Operated and non-operated production from Main Pass is expected to be shut in for at least another week, which accounts for 24 MMcfe per day, net.

During the second quarter 2005, the Gulf of Mexico accounted for approximately 42 percent of the company's total daily production, and of that, more than 80 percent of the production was located west of the path of the hurricane.

The Houston Exploration Company is an independent natural gas and crude oil producer engaged in the development, exploitation, exploration and acquisition of natural gas and crude oil properties. The company's operations are focused in South Texas, the Arkoma Basin, the Rocky Mountains and offshore in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

HURRICANE KATRINA: Cal Dive Reports Continued Shut-Ins, No 'Significant' Damage to Facilities

Cal Dive International today said that preliminary reports revealed no significant damage from Hurricane Katrina to its Marine Contracting assets and offshore production facilities.

With respect to oil and gas production, virtually all wells were shut-in during the hurricane and certain wells remain shut-in while pipeline and refinery owners complete their inspections.

"Our top priority was to ensure the safety of everyone aboard our production facilities, vessels and shore base facilities, and we're grateful that our personnel were able to secure and safely evacuate," said Cal Dive President Martin Ferron. "We remain deeply concerned for the well-being of our off duty personnel and for the families and friends of our co-workers adversely affected by the hurricane."

Cal Dive International, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is an energy service company providing alternate solutions to the oil and gas industry worldwide for marginal field development, alternative development plans, field life extension and abandonment

HURRICANE KATRINA: St.Louis-Based GenoMed Offering Medical Workers Free Assistance for Kidney Failure Treatment, Mosquito-Disease Outbreaks

GenoMed Inc. today said it is offering free assistance to medical workers who may soon be dealing with acute kidney failure patients in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

The company is also ready to help with the expected resurgence in West Nile virus encephalitis and the possible emergence of other mosquito-borne viral diseases including dengue and St. Louis Equine Encephalitis.

GenoMed is a St. Louis, Mo.-based next-generation disease management company.

"New Orleans is very much like an earthquake disaster zone, with no power or water but lots of heat, and a lot of people at risk for acute kidney failure due to dehydration. We hope to help save lives in the next few days with our drug treatment for acute kidney failure," David Moskowitz MD, FACP, GenoMed's chief medical officer and CEO.

"Until the floodwaters recede, New Orleans will also be a huge breeding ground for mosquitoes. We will freely offer our help to combat any viral diseases that may arise, such as West Nile virus encephalitis. Our treatment approach should be good for most viruses, including dengue, and other causes of viral encephalitis. Since we use already existing drugs which are plentiful and safe, there should be no worries," Moskowitz said.

GenoMed was recently awarded a patent to treat acute kidney failure with an already existing intravenous medication. In pilot studies, GenoMed's method has avoided the need for kidney dialysis in over 70% of adults and infants tested.

HURRICANE KATRINA: Gulfstream Natural Gas System Says Pipeline Fully Operational but Deliveries at Reduced Levels

Gulfstream Natural Gas System L.L.C. today said that the natural gas pipeline is fully operational and is continuing to transport all supplies tendered to it by customers.

The 691-mile pipeline is receiving natural gas supplies from both offshore and onshore sources. However, natural gas supplies are at reduced levels. The pipeline facilities did not sustain any significant damage from Hurricane Katrina.

"Despite the fact that some natural gas supplies have been interrupted, Gulfstream has continued to flow all gas delivered to the pipeline," said Gulfstream Operations Vice President Al Taylor. "Gulfstream will increase its deliveries of natural gas into the Florida market as natural gas production is restored."

Placed into service in May 2002, the Gulfstream pipeline has the capacity to deliver 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas each day to serve Florida's growing energy needs. The pipeline is a joint development between Williams and Duke Energy.