Living in South Louisiana, we're no stranger to a strong storm! We've gone through the good and the bad more times than we can count, so we all know a thing or two about hurricane prep. Luckily this year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center expects a "near-normal" hurricane season; meaning they are predicting approximately 10 to 16 named storms, including 4 to 8 hurricanes, 1 to 4 of which may be severe, between June 1st and November 30. But with hurricane season kicking off today, now's a great time to review your emergency preparedness. Take a look at the tips below, and please feel free to share any we might have missed!
Develop an evacuation plan.
Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. Discuss this thoroughly with family and close friends especially those who may live out of the area who you could stay with in the event of an evacuation since hotels may book quickly. Plan several routes, and be sure to account for your pets. If you don’t have a vehicle, check with local officials to see what transportation options they may have available.
Assemble disaster supplies.
Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy and unpleasant aftermath. Be prepared for the stifling summer heat! Have enough non-perishable food, water, and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of 3 days (store a longer than 3-day supply of water, if possible). Electricity and water could be out for weeks. You’ll need extra cash, a battery-powered radio and flashlights. You may need a portable crank or solar-powered USB charger for your cell phones. And lastly, don’t forget your pets!
Create a communication plan.
Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation. Write down on paper a list of emergency contacts, and make sure to include utilities and other critical services — remember, the internet may not be accessible during or after a storm.
Prepare your home for the coming storm.
Don't get caught stuck in the last-minute preparing and panic. Now is the time to improve your home's ability to withstand hurricane impact. Trim trees clean your gutters and storm drains, and seal outside wall openings. If you have a generator, now is the time to take it out of storage and consider having it serviced. Don't wait until the last second to purchase property plywood, steel, or aluminum to board your windows and doors. If you have a garage door - remember that it is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must be able to withstand hurricane-force winds. If you find yourself in a storm's path this year, make sure to bring in any outside furniture or other items that can become projectiles. If you're a renter, check in with your landlord to discuss plans for a storm.
Make sure you have a hard paper file for important information that can be collected quickly incase you need to evacuate quickly. You want to include your family's driver's licenses, vehicle registrations and proof of insurance, insurance policies (life, health, property), medical and vaccination records copies of perscription medicine labels, birth and marriage certificates, and other important personal records.