Louisiana official quits in Gustav's wake

BATON ROUGE, La., Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Hurricane Gustav produced some delayed fallout Monday with the resignation of Louisiana's Social Services secretary over handling of the weather crisis.

Department of Social Services Secretary Ann Williamson had been criticized for the way she dealt with disaster food stamps and hurricane shelters. The result, The Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge, La., reported, was she quit. Williamson spokeswoman Cheryl Michelet confirmed her boss's departure, though the secretary didn't return phone calls, the newspaper said.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has said the storm response problems were avoidable and unacceptable and promised changes in the agency. Jindal had reappointed Williamson in January, making her one of the few carryovers from the administration of his predecessor, Kathleen Blanco.

Jindal named Kristy Nichols, his policy adviser, interim director, a statement issued by his office said.

Among the post-Gustav problems laid at Williamson's feet were the lack of showers at shelters in some cities and long lines for food stamps because workers hadn't been trained, The Advocate said.

The Category 2 hurricane hit Louisiana Sept. 1.