Lafayette Becomes Headquarters For Rescue, Survey Flights

With 80-percent of New Orleans still underwater, the most effective way to get to and from is by helicopter. Charter operators in the region report pages of reservations and work that lasts from before sunrise to long after sunset. The center of this activity in the wake of Hurricane Katrina is fast proving to be Lafayette, LA.

"For whatever reason, people are coming here," Lafayette Regional Airport Director Greg Roberts told the Lafayette Advertiser. "We are closest to the Gulf, and there's a lot of activity."

In fact, Roberts said, it's not just rotor wing traffic that's suddenly found an operational home at his airport.  "We've got heavy fixed-wing activity, heavy helicopter activity."

Petroleum companies are sending helicopters out in force now, searching for rigs cut adrift and damaged by the hurricane. Both military and civilian aircraft are searching frantically for survivors of the storm, amid rumors that thousands died in the deluge and high winds.

"We've been put on notice that we may see some military relief operation activity in the future," Roberts said, as the government mobilized 10,000 more National Guard troops to help restore order and begin relief efforts to New Orleans and the surrounding region.

FMI: www.lftairport.com