Arkansas COVER Activation for Potential Isaac Evacuees
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: August 27, 2012
With Tropical Storm Isaac bearing down on the Gulf Coast, Arkansas is getting ready to welcome evacuees.
The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism has activated the COVER program, due to potential evacuation of the Gulf Coast by Tropical Storm Isaac. COVER stands for Communication of Vacancies Emergency Response Plan.
Created in response to the influx of travelers during Hurricane Katrina, the system is activated when an emergency forces evacuation from surrounding areas into Arkansas.
Travelers from evacuated and affected areas will likely turn first to radio and television broadcasts, to the internet and to news organizations to receive the latest updates and information about where they need to go. By providing information about COVER in your broadcasts and on your website, you can assist these evacuees in finding lodging quickly.
Lodging industry members have already been contacted and advised to enter into COVER available vacancies at their properties. These numbers will be updated as rooms are taken.
Click here to use COVER. The video attached to this story explains how it works.
Vacancies are organized by their distance to each entrance point into the state. Travelers can also receive COVER updates by subscribing to the program Twitter feed @ArkCover. Updates will be noted with the hash tag #ARKCOVER.
Lodging facilities that need assistance with COVER should email info@arkansas.com.
The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism has activated the COVER program, due to potential evacuation of the Gulf Coast by Tropical Storm Isaac. COVER stands for Communication of Vacancies Emergency Response Plan.
Created in response to the influx of travelers during Hurricane Katrina, the system is activated when an emergency forces evacuation from surrounding areas into Arkansas.
Travelers from evacuated and affected areas will likely turn first to radio and television broadcasts, to the internet and to news organizations to receive the latest updates and information about where they need to go. By providing information about COVER in your broadcasts and on your website, you can assist these evacuees in finding lodging quickly.
Lodging industry members have already been contacted and advised to enter into COVER available vacancies at their properties. These numbers will be updated as rooms are taken.
Click here to use COVER. The video attached to this story explains how it works.
Vacancies are organized by their distance to each entrance point into the state. Travelers can also receive COVER updates by subscribing to the program Twitter feed @ArkCover. Updates will be noted with the hash tag #ARKCOVER.
Lodging facilities that need assistance with COVER should email info@arkansas.com.
