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Federal Courts In Three States Disrupted by Hurricanes

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita combined to disrupt federal court operations in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Court officials say emergency measures could remain in place for six months or longer.

Even before Hurricane Rita hit the Gulf Coast, the Federal Judiciary had asked the President for a $65.5 million emergency supplemental appropriations to cope with the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Hundreds of court employees were relocated from New Orleans to, among other places, Houston. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, normally based in New Orleans, resumed operations in a Houston courthouse September 21.That courthouse was forced to close on September 23, due to a general evacuation in Houston as Rita approached.

In addition, Hurricane Rita forced the closing of operations in the Eastern District of Texas' courthouse in Beaumont., where extensive water damage was sustained. Five judges, their staffs and about 20 deputy clerks have moved their work to Tyler, Texas.

Flooding from Hurricane Rita also forced closure of the Lake Charles facility of the Western District of Louisiana.

In September 16 letter about Katrina's effects, the policy-making Judicial Conference of the United States told the President that the emergency funding request was aimed at covering costs of relocating more than 400 judges and court staff members. The letter, signed by Conference Secretary Leonidas Ralph Mecham, urged the President to transmit the request to Congress as quickly as possible.

"Hurricane Katrina has resulted in the closing of the John Minor Wisdom U.S. Court of Appeals Building and the Hale Boggs U.S. Courthouse in New Orleans as well as the federal court houses in Hattiesburg and Gulfport, Mississippi," Mecham's letter said.

Judges and court staff members in Louisiana were relocated in Houston and three cities in Louisiana – Baton Rouge, Houma and Lafayette. In Mississippi, judges and court employees were relocated as well.

Mecham said the request "assumes we will not be able to reoccupy and hold court in the affected facilities for the next six months."

At its September 20 meeting, the Judicial Conference adopted a resolution that "notes with deepest appreciation the extraordinary performance and exemplary dedication to the administration of justice of the federal court personnel who are working to help" the courts affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The resolution cited judges and court employees of the Fifth and Eleventh judicial circuits "who have suffered great personal loss but continue to work tirelessly to restore court operations."

Operations of Federal Defender offices and Probation and Pretrial Services offices also were affected. In the New Orleans-based Eastern District of Louisiana, the following public service announcement was released: Individuals who normally report to the federal Probation and Pretrial Services Offices in New Orleans should call 1-888-433-5996.