Saints Planning To Wait Out Tropical Storm Gustav In Indianapolis

The New Orleans Saints will evacuate to Indianapolis this weekend and spend the entire week there if Tropical Storm Gustav maintains its current course.

General Manager Mickey Loomis confirmed the Saints’ plans Thursday evening. According to sources, the Saints considered several venue options, mostly cities with domed stadiums and an abundance of hotel rooms, including Indianapolis, Atlanta, Houston, St. Louis and San Antonio.

The team will make the decision to depart by Saturday night or Sunday morning, in order to relocate its entire organization in time to get settled before Monday’s practice.

The Saints will stay through next Friday even if New Orleans is unaffected by Gustav early in the week, Loomis said, so as not to disrupt the team’s practice routine leading up to the Sept. 7 season opener at the Superdome against Tampa Bay.

The Saints have not addressed what contingency plans they are considering in the event that they are unable to host that game. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league is monitoring the situation, though it is premature to discuss any contingency plans for the game.

The Saints will practice at Indianapolis’ new Lucas Oil Stadium, because the Colts’ old stadium, the RCA Dome, is being reconstructed on the inside. The Colts have their own separate practice facility so there won’t be a conflict between the teams.

The Saints also spent time in Indianapolis in 1998 during Hurricane Georges. They stayed behind after playing against the Colts on Sept. 27 of that year.

- Mike Triplett, NO Times Picayune