Simplify the following text for a Grade 12 native English-speaking person.
Original: Because of the threat of the cyclone , Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco also declared a state of emergency and placed the state 's National Guard and other disaster services on stand-by .
Simplified: Due to the threat of the cyclone , Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco declared a state of emergency and placed the state 's National Guard and other disaster services on reserve .