By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE — The American Red Cross of New Orleans held a press conference Friday featuring guest speakers and distribution of more than one million evacuation plan maps.

An 18-wheeler truck carried the maps and disaster supplies for the area.

The Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness were present at the press conference.

Guest speakers included DOTD Secretary Johnny B. Bradberry, Head of LSP Crisis Response Maj. Mickey McMorris and ARC Southeast Louisiana Director Kay Wilkins.

ARC Southeast Louisiana Public Relations Coordinator Lynette Robinson said residents in the River Parishes may pick up a copy of the map at the local Red Cross office, located at 107 Maryland Drive, Suite D and E in Luling. The number is 985-785-0647.

Maps were distributed to the office on Friday, according to Robinson.

Robinson said the maps are also available for download online at www.preparelouisiana.redcross.org and at local Home Depot, Lowe’s and Wal-Mart.

If for some reason there is still trouble obtaining a map, contact the American Red Cross of New Orleans at 1-800-229-8191.

They will find a place where maps are available in the area, Robinson said.