2022 Hurricane Guide

CMYK

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022

AMERICAN PRESS

HURRICANE WATCH Preparedness Review

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CMYK C2 AMERICAN PRESS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022

Officials stress importance of being ready

By Emily Burleigh American Press

With hurricane season comes hurricane preparedness. It is important now more than ever for family units to properly prepare for disasters.

“According to the NOAA, we will have another very active hurricane season this year for the seventh consecutive year,” said Mustafa Al Lami, American Red Cross interim preparedness manager. “This year’s outlook is part of a years-long trend of more frequent and intense climate disasters, including hurricanes. This relentless pace of severe disasters has created more ongoing emergency

needs.”

Atlantic hurricane season generally occurs from June through November but the Red Cross said due to the environmental effects of the climate crisis, hurricane season has started to begin as soon as early May. “Wherever you are in the world there will be a disaster,” Al Lami said.

“It could be a natural disaster or a man-made disaster. It is important for family units to prepare for disasters throughout the year.”

The American Red Cross’ Disaster Preparedness program, “Be Red Cross Ready,” offers vital information for Louisiana residents. As their

motto, “Prepare so you can protect,” implies, preparation is the key to recovering from disaster.

The program provides expert instruction, valuable information and empowering experiences.

It is important to be ready to help your household, neighbors, older adults and yourself. Due to the increase in natural disasters in recent years, the Red Cross wants locals to prepare to not receive help right away.

“During disasters, the local emergency services might be overwhelmed by the increased volume of calls,” Al Lami said.

“As part of making a plan, the public should prepare for potential delays in

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receiving emergency services.”

Hurricane preparedness can be broken down into seven steps.

It is first important to understand which hazards you are likely to face. It is suggested that residents research how hurricanes are formed and evolve, what effects they have on the environment, and what damage they can cause.

“Understanding the physics behind it is the best way to prepare for it” Al Lami said.

Steps to better understand potential hazards include contacting your local and state government emergency agency.

These organizations can inform you of your community’s response plan.

It is also important to research if your home is in a designated hurricane storm surge evacuation zone or flood zone.

According to The American Red Cross, the greatest threat to life safety comes from the water in the form of storm surge and inland flooding.

“There is an average of 9 to 10 fatalities due to storm surge alone,” Al Lami said. “Storm surges can cause water levels to rise quickly and flood large areas in just minutes. They pose a significant threat for drowning.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warns that storm surges can travel several miles inland along waterways causing additional flooding. The rise in the seawater level is caused by a storm, and measured as the height of the water above the normal predicted tide.

Never walk, swim, or try to drive through floodwater. Remember, “Turn Around! Don’t Drown!”

In order to prepare for the threat of flooding, you should ensure that all drainage systems are clear. You can do this by cleaning our drains, gutters, and downspouts around your home. It is also suggested that you stockpile protective materials such as plastic sheeting and sandbags.

The Red Cross encourages locals to consider any critical electric sys-

tems, such as your heating system, water heater, and electric panel.

Other natural hazards include strong winds, tornadoes, dangerous waves, and rip currents.

The American Red Cross suggests you next prepare to meet your basic needs. In order to protect your household, it is important that you practice operating equipment such as, generators, back-up batteries, and utility lines.

Learning First Aid and CPR is also suggested.

Gathering critical supplies is a vital part of preparing to meet your basic needs. The American Red Cross suggests you gather the following supplies: l Water: 1 gallon per day per person l Food: non-perishable, easy to prepare l Medications: 1 month supply l First aid kit l Battery backup power for medical devices l Battery-powered or hand crank emergency radio l Cell phone with battery packs l Tools and safety items l Hygiene and sanitation supplies l Protective gear l Baby supplies l Pet supplies l Cash and keys l Comfort items After you have researched and gathered supplies, it is time to make a plan. Shelterin-place planning is an important step if you intend on sheltering in place. Identify a safe shelter to protect you from high wind speeds.

If you are in a flood zone, plan for your shelter to be on high ground. Make sure you have all critical supplies in your shelter.

Also be sure to prepare a “Go Bag” in the event that authorizes advise immediate evacuation. Your “Go Bag” should hold three days of critical supplies for both yourself and your family unit.

It is advised that you then consistently monitor you local weather before, during, and after a disaster event. The Red Cross suggests you stay updated with your local weather service, the Na-

tional Hurricane Center or the free Red Cross Emergency App. In order to remain in contact with your family unit in the event of an emergency, you should create a communication plan. The best way to do this is my creating contact cards for every member of your household. These cards should include important information, such as, l phone number l home address l health care provider l local emergency services’ information Contact card templates can be found on the American Cross website, redcross.org.

The American Red Cross suggests household members have a designated out-of-town contact to help reconnect members in the case of separation. You should also plan a primary meeting spot for all members of the family unit.

It is important to remember to take the time to safeguard important documents. Such documents include any personal, financial, insurance, or medical records.

Protecting important documents will aid in expediting the recovery process.

The last step to properly prepare for a disaster is to protect your home and belongings. The Red Cross suggests you reinforce your home’s doors, windows, walls, and roofs. Ensure that you take the time to bring loose, lightweight objects inside your home and to anchor large objects outside.

The Red Cross has developed the Red Cross Emergency App. “The Emergency App helps the public prepare for natural disasters based on their location.

You can create your emergency plan on the App and send an ‘I’m safe’ text message with your location to your loved ones,” Al Lami said. “The app can also send 40 different weather-related alerts to your current location or any other location entered.”

You can download the Emergency App from the App Store or Google Play or by texting “GETEMERGENCY” to 90999.

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Ready and waiting for the 2022 season GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

In the Atlantic basin, tropical cyclone names are retired if they cause a great deal of damage and/or many deaths. This is to prevent confusion with a historically well-known cyclone and a current one in the Atlantic basin. Sometimes names are removed for other reasons, such as cultural considerations or politics.

The names below have been retired.

The Atlantic hurricane season begins today and runs through Nov. 30. Here is the list of names for 2022, as established by the World Meteorological Organization. Hurricane names are recycled every six years. Storm names are removed from the list if they’ve been exceptionally deadly.

Alex Bonnie Colin Danielle Earl Fiona Gaston

Hermine Ian Julia Karl Lisa Martin Nicole

Source: World Meteorological Organization

Source: National Hurricane Center

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CMYK C4 AMERICAN PRESS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022

As storm season begins, leaders looks at lessons learned

By Pamela Sleezer American Press

Beauregard Parish leaders worked together this week to streamline evacuation procedures and other processes they believe the parish could benefit from in the event of another major storm event.

Nearly 100 local and state leaders gathered on May 24 for the parish’s annual Hurricane Workshop. In attendance were leaders from Beauregard, Vernon and Calcasieu parishes as well as U.S. Congressman Mike Johnson, via Zoom.

Special guest Roger Erickson from the National Weather Service in Lake Charles helped to provide an overview of what forecasters believe can be expected from this year’s hurricane season.

Director of Beauregard Parish’s Emergency Preparedness Scott Greenmun said a top focus of the meeting was to review the parish’s evacuation plans, which were put to the test during the aftermath of Hurricane Laura and ahead of Hurricane Delta.

Hurricane Delta was the first time a mandatory evacuation has ever been ordered for Beaure-

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Hurricane Delta was the first time a mandatory evacuation has ever been ordered for Beauregard Parish. gard Parish.

“There were such significant damages left from Hurricane Laura that we were still very much in recovery mode as Hurricane Delta approached. There was a large amount of debris and in fact we still had some people without water and power, so as

that storm approached it was deemed necessary to issue the evacuation order,” Greenmun said.

The lessons learned from that experience were useful in critiquing the parish’s response and highlighting areas of improvement should an evacuation be needed again, Greenmun said.

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Moving forward, he said parish officials will be able to effectively coordinate with state agencies for speedy evacuations. In the event of another evacuation, the parish will utilize the DeRidder Junior High School gymnasium as a parish-operated pickup location where state buses will then transport residents to an emergency shelter.

What Greenmun said was one of the biggest learning curves during the Hurricane Delta evacuation was assisting senior citizens and those with special medical needs to get to that pickup location. In the event of another evacuation, Greenmun said that there will be designated pickup points to help provide those residents and others in more re-

mote areas of the parish with transportation to the junior high school for state pickup.

Greenmun said the evacuations are a high-priority as Beauregard Parish remains unable to provide such long-term shelters locally.

“We are not a sheltering parish. We do not have the resources or manpower to provide those services, and what we experienced from Hurricanes Laura and Delta proves that we cannot establish a shelter here unless it is for an immediate, life-threatening emergency situation,” Greenmun said.

The parish’s experience from Hurricane Laura also led leaders to see another focus for improvement. Greenmun said plans are now

in place to offer “cooling stations” if the area should lose power and water for another significant amount of time, as it did in the weeks following Hurricane Laura.

“We had three heat-related deaths during that time within our elderly community, and we want to do everything possible to prevent that from happening again,” Greenmun said.

The parish is now working through Hazard Mitigation Programs to arrange a plan for generators to be brought in and set up at participating churches to allow for cooling stations to begin operating in such a situation. While Hurricane Laura was as financially devastating as it was physically damaging for the parish, Greenmun said that open lines of communication between local and state leaders has helped the parish in its response and future planning.

“We are all doing the best that we can do with what we have right now, and I do believe that we will come out of it for the better in the event of another major storm.

The communication that we have here in Beauregard Parish amongst our Unified Command Group is amazing.

“Everyone works together well and with one goal in mind, and that is to help this community. That alone makes all the difference when you are faced with an emergency and when you are planning for another one. We hope that we will not need to put these plans into action, but we are better by having them ready to roll out,” he said.

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Thank you all so very much."

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CMYK WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022 AMERICAN PRESS C5

BE PREPARED

R DISASTEY SUPPL T S

CHECKLI

EVACUATION “GO BAG”

A backpack is perfect for a “grab ‘n go” situation. Here are some items to consider:

PAPERS + VALUABLES

• extra set of car keys • evacuation route maps • driver’s license or some form of identifcation • Social Security cards • passport • birth certificates • vehicle registration • proof of residence (deed or lease) • marriage records • death records • extra cash • credit cards • wills • insurance policies • household inventory (photo or video) • pet veterinary records

PERSONAL ITEMS

• 3 days of clean clothes • toothbrush, deodorant • hand sanitizer • eyeglasses and contact lenses

thermometer • first aid tape • gauze rolls • bandages • ice/heat packs • latex gloves • safety pins

• medication FOOD (3-DAY SUPPLY) • fruit: cups, dried, roll-ups • water: bottled • peanut butter • crackers • high-energy bars

• 3 days of clean clothes • toothbrush, deodorant, etc.

• feminine hygiene items • eyeglasses and contact lenses • medication

• coloring books • crayons • puzzles • books

It is recommended that all residents heed warnings from local officials, but for those who choose to stay home during a disaster there are a few things you can gather in advance to be prepared:

STAYING HOME

ENTERTAINMENT

SAFETY SUPPLIES

SHELTERING

• fire extinguisher If you plan to stay in a shelter, keep in mind • waterproof matches • insect repellents there will • work gloves be limited space available for personal belongings. Make sure your valuables and • utility knife • shovel, hand saw, ax important documents are locked up in a • hammer, nails, pliers, shut-off wrench dry, safe place.

• tarp, duct tape PAPERS + VALUABLES • generator/fuel • driver’s license or some form of identifi• extra oil, gas cation • jumper cables • take a photo of you with your children • Social Security cards FIRST AID SUPPLIES • extra cash • first aid handbook • pet identification records • scissors • tweezers PERSONAL ITEMS

EXTERNAL MEDICATIONS

• antibiotic ointment • antibacterial soap • baking soda • hydrogen peroxide • calamine lotion • rubbing alcohol

INTERNAL MEDICATIONS

• aspirin/acetaminophen • eyedrops LIGHTING • flashlights

COMMUNICATION

EQUIPMENT • battery-operated radio • extra batteries • NOAA weather radio • cellular phone and charger

COOKING EQUIPMENT

• gas or barbecue grill • extra propane gas • lighter fluid/charcoal • cooking utensils • manual can opener • ice chest

FOOD

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C8 AMERICAN PRESS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022

By Donna Price I American Press

We asked local residents what knowledge they would share with someone new to the area about to experience their first hurricane season. Here’s what they had to say.

Billie Jones

Kashia Spears

Joel Rivas

Melissa Buxton

“It’s good to get whatever personal items you’ll need ahead of time like water and flashlight batteries. If you don’t have a generator I would advise getting one. If you have pets, take them with you.”

“Have insurance. And get flood insurance. Get a generator. Take advice from the media. It’s better to be over prepared than not prepared at all.”

“Just prepare. When they “Listen to the warnings say ‘leave,’ then leave. and leave if they tell you And just be ready to be to leave.” without lights and water.”

Marlee Rogers

Ella Stanley

“Get renter’s insurance.

I lost my house last year and didn’t have it.”

“It’s always worse than you would expect it to be. And don’t always trust everything you hear on TV. Unless it’s Ben Terry. He’s my favorite.”

El Niño, La Niña affect hurricanes El Niño is a warming of the equatorial Pacific Ocean waters. In years with an El Niño, there are typically fewer tropical storms and hurricanes because vertical shear increases during El Niño years. The vertical shear can prevent tropical cyclones from forming and can prevent storms from intensifying.

La Niña is the opposite of El Niño and is characterized by cooler than normal ocean waters in the tropical Pacific. In years with La Niña, re-

searchers have found that there is an increased number of hurricanes and an increased chance that the United States and Caribbean will experience hurricanes.

According to the NOAA in an April 2022 update, La Niña continues in the tropical Pacific. The current forecast favors the continuation of La Niña through the summer (59% chance), with a slightly lower chance into the fall (50-55% chance).

SYSTEM WILL SHARE RESOURCES WITH COMMUNITY Metro Creative

United Way of Southwest Louisiana ‘s new storm information system will share resources with the community.

UW launches new email and text system for storms Special to the American Press

United Way of Southwest Louisiana’s team has launched a new way for community members in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis parishes to receive natural disaster-related information specific to the region.

By registering online at UNITEDWAYSWLA. ORG/STORM or by texting “STORMSWLA” to 40403, anyone can receive up-to-date information from credible sources before, during and following a natural disaster.

United Way of Southwest Louisiana’s sources for information contains federal, state and local partnerships at levels of decision-making. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) supplied

How to register Receive up-todate information before, during and following a natural disaster by registering online at UNITEDWAYSWLA.ORG/ STORM or by texting “STORMSWLA” to 40403.

the team with the latest storm-related toolkit for public sharing. Other collaborations are with volunteer groups, city governments and law enforcement agencies.

“We have our 211 system that operates 24/7/365. Anyone can call or text for critical resources. This new system is another avenue to share planning tips,

evacuation procedures and other types of information,” says President and CEO Denise Durel. “The community comes to United Way for information that we’re already receiving from our trusted partners.

This is another great way to support our friends and neighbors.”

Plans for the system include a way to share food or shelter related information as it changes during an emergency.

Registrants will eventually be able to tailor the information to only receive what they are interested in.

For more ways to receive timely information from United Way of Southwest Louisiana, follow the social media channels or register for the email newsletter online at unitedwayswla. org/newsletter.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022 AMERICAN PRESS C9

Nonprofit aims to improve crisis management after disasters

By Rita LeBleu American Press

Matthew Topper is on a quest to help nonprofits, government entities and corporations prepare to assist after a disaster.

He’s been in the industry for 17 years and during this time, frustrations at certain inefficiencies have added to the challenge of a profession that includes long hours and work that is hard — physically and emotionally.

“To find it’s been redundant or unnecessary is really discouraging,” Topper said.

He wakes up every morning, he said, with a desire to see a complete paradigm shift when it comes to disaster assistance and recovery.

To achieve that end, Topper, Liz Abdalla and Braylon Harris have started the educational nonprofit, Stormwise. So far, Stormwise has facilitated 121,811 volunteer hours. It has served 379 groups in 594 locations and saved $3 million in labor costs.

Abdalla and Harris are Southwest Louisiana natives. Topper is not.

However, the team’s focus most recently has been in Louisiana and Kentucky. The foundation exists to develop and proliferate best practices and technological innovations in the field of crisis management and community resilience through the education of

public, private and social sectors.

“We, as a culture, don’t do disaster response well,” Topper said. “We can clone animals, we can find water on Mars, we can create a metaverse, but we can’t rebuild homes after a disaster. It’s not that we don’t have enough money. We are the richest country in the world. It’s not that we don’t have enough experience or talent.”

Making important technological advances available is one important aspect of the work of Stormwise. The well-intentioned with a white board can accomplish much. But a computer system designed to track donations, materials, distribution, etc., can allow people with a heart to help get more done and get it done with less risk of burnout.

In addition to its technology, communication and relationship building are key distinctions of the Stormwise group.

Topper says Stormwise “bridges silos that allow resources to flow.”

Sometimes two groups with good intentions, not necessarily at odds, though they sometimes are, speak a different language. FEMA employees, he said, by their own admission can become mired in policy, procedures and restrictions.

“FEMA looks at and responds to a nationally declared disaster differ-

we’re

Stormwisefoundation.org

A Stormwise volunteer hands out dinners to a motorist after a recent disaster. ently than a nonprofit,” Topper said. “It sees thousands of homes and disasters across the United States through the eyes of a very complex process.”

A church or nonprofit formed to assist after a disaster with no prior experience, on the other hand, might see the more human side of the problem. It might need a process in place and not have it. They do know others in their community. Topper gave this example.

“This Mr. and Mrs. so-and-so may not only have a problem with their

roof now because of the hurricane making their lives stressful, they also already had these other things going on in their lives.”

It’s not that he hasn’t known FEMA employees with a genuine desire to help. He’s met them.

Stormwise education enables groups who want to demonstrate their love for their neighbor after a disaster to do it more efficiently.

“They don’t have to start from scratch,” Topper said. “They don’t have to go at it too hard too soon.”

He noted that

well-meaning volunteers — and there are never enough volunteers — often take vacation time to help disaster victims.

Sometimes the work performed isn’t finished in that period of time.

The homeowner might be left with work undone or work done far too quickly. In the case of a house that needs clearing out to be mucked out and gutted, homeowners have little time to make decisions, leaving them stressed and discouraged.

Education and technology that shares this information among groups could help in these cases.

Wanting to jump in and help and fix a problem as quickly as possible is human nature. However, across the board, around the planet, individuals— even individuals who want to make a difference and help — can be self-focused, according to Topper.

“You are going to do your own thing. Not only will you want validation for your idea, but you are also going to expect everyone to love your idea.”

And this idea might come from someone with no experience about what to expect, much less other resources for reducing inefficiencies.

“Despite the best intentions, this person, this group, could show up doing things that are not helpful,” Topper said.

“Ensuring communication, sharing information in the middle of a crisis is challenging, but it’s possible. It’s learned. And that’s why Stormwise was created.”

Stormwise is also interested in relationship building.

“When we go somewhere else, we don’t want the relationship to end,” Topper said. “Even do-gooders who strive to fix the problem quickly could miss the person and just see stuff.”

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To find out more about Stormwise, what it is, how to benefit from its resources or how to help them help more people, call 1-225-892-9390 or visit https:// stormwisefoundation.org.

C10 AMERICAN PRESS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022

Metro Creative

Riding out the storm? Be as prepared as you can be before it hits.

By Paul Purcell Special to the American Press

Under certain circumstances it is possible to ride out the storm safely, if you know how to R.E.A.C.T.: Reinforcement – Have you prepared your home structurally in advance?

Equipment – Do you have all the supplies you’ll need on hand?

Awareness – Do you

have a way to track the storm, and do you have a way for others to track you?

Cautions – Are you aware of the various risks involved in staying in place in a hurricane?

Timeline – You’ll need to do a few things as the storm approaches, and timing is a factor.

Timeline With something as large and dangerous as a hurricane, there are

always details that need to be tended to and you have to consider your timing in the process.

These are presented in something of a chronological order and you’ll notice these also happen to be arranged in an “outside in” order, meaning that you want to do the things that are farthest away from home first and work your way in.

Important note: When we say “out” referring

to how close the storm is, we’re referring to the nearest edge of the storm that’s going to reach you first, and not the eye of the hurricane.

Before hurricane season starts 1.Make sure you performed all the structural enhancements you could for your home.

2. First aid and CPR classes are great classes for the family to take.

3. Checking the originals and copies, and updating all family documentation should be a quarterly task.

One week out

This is about as long a warning as we’d have that a hurricane was heading toward any particular region.

5.Look at the structural integrity of your home and make sure you have all the shutter material and hardware you’ll need already on hand.

6. If you have a gas-powered generator make sure it works. If it needs repairs you’ll want to know now.

Three days out This is about the last day you want to be out and about running errands or buying supplies.

8. Make sure your pantry is full as you’d like it to be.

9. Get longer shelf-life items like canned goods and have ways to cook such as charcoal, gas for your grill, etc.

10. Make sure you have a good supply of non-perishable “comfort foods” on hand. Include treats for your pets.

11. Check your stock of all medications, both prescription and overthe-counter. Include your pets here too.

12. Gas up all your vehicles and fill a couple of 5-gallon gas cans to keep on hand.

Two days out At this point the weather forecast is going to be pretty accurate as

to whether or not your vicinity will feel the effects of a hurricane.

14. Fill some empty milk jugs or plastic soda bottles with water and put them in the freezer (as many as you can fit).

Let them freeze solid. If the power goes out, these will help keep your fridge and freezer cold longer.

15. Secure your more important household items such as backup computer disks, paperwork, heirlooms, etc. by putting them in plastic tubs.

One day out 17. Start doing some safety landscaping by removing dangerous tree limbs, loose yard furniture, and so forth.

18.Put your storm shutters in place if you haven’t already.

Six to eight hours out At this point, you’ll probably know whether or not the storm is going to be a direct hit for your area.

20.Take last minute photos of property and family members.

21.Recharge all your electronics (cell phone, laptop, etc.) while you still have power.

22.Turn your fridge and freezer down to their lowest setting to keep food colder longer should you lose power.

23.If your home might flood move your cars to higher ground and move your more valuable furniture and possessions off the floor.

24. If flooding is not an issue, park your car in the garage or other protected area.

25.Brace your garage doors so they don’t cave in during high winds.

26.Make sure the kids are home.

Two or three hours out Again, please remember that when we say “so and so hours out” we’re referring to the leading edge of the storm that will hit you first, and not

the eye of the storm.

28.Bring the kids in the house and have them help you with last minute stuff.

29.Bring in all outdoor pets. If they can fit in the house they should be brought inside the house.

30.Start building a “nest” in the room that’s the safest area of the house. Put down a mattress (possibly with a heavy table over it as protective cover), have some snacks and water handy, make sure you have a radio and flashlights all with extra batteries. Also, be sure to have your pet carriers there for smaller animals.

This keeps them protected and easier to move if needed.

31.Start filling your extra water containers (bathtub, etc.) in anticipation of a loss of water.

32.If you can secure them (so they don’t blow away), your outside trashcans can be used as rain barrels.

As the storm rolls in 34.If the kids have bike or skateboard helmets have them put them on.

35.Unplug all the electronics you were charging and unplug any valuable electronics like your television, stereo, desktop computer, etc. to protect them against surge from lightning strike (and stay off corded phones).

36.Close but don’t lock all your interior doors to limit flying debris or wind flow should a window break.

37.Move to the “nest” you made in your safe area and stay put until the storm is over.

Next, you’ll want to read the full version of this article. For the full article complete with free PDF download visit www.disasterprep101.com and look for it on the “News and Articles” page.

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Paul Purcell is a terrorism and natural disaster preparedness consultant in Atlanta, GA. He’s also the author of “Disaster Prep 101” found at www.disasterprep101.com.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022AMERICAN PRESS C11

Rick Hickman / American Press Archives

Traffic has slowed to a crawl on Interstate 10 at U.S. Hwy 171 in Lake Charles on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, as residents evacuate ahead of Hurricane Delta.

What to do when ordered to evacuate a

Special to the American Press

When the National Weather Service announces a hurricane warning for Louisiana, a storm with winds over 74 mph will strike within 24 hours.

Remember, hurricane warnings are almost always accompanied by tornado warnings, thunderstorm and gale warnings, and coastal or inland flood warnings.

Prepare for those threats as well.

Twenty-four hours prior to the storm, take the final steps necessary to keep yourself and your family safe.

Check your personal emergency kit, then get ready for the storm.

Always listen to local officials for evacuation orders. In the coastal parishes, remember an evacuation order may come 51 hours before landfall.

If you live in a travel trailer or mobile home in the path of the storm, you should already have evacuated by the time the storm is this close.

Do not attempt to ride out a hurricane in temporary housing or a home damaged from an earlier storm that is not yet repaired.

Evacuation tips

Prepare your home prior to leaving by boarding up doors and windows, securing or moving indoors all yard objects and turning off all utilities.

Fill your car with gas and withdraw extra mon-

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ey from the ATM before leaving.

Take all prescription medicines and special medical items, such as glasses and diapers.

Leave early if your family evacuation plan includes an RV, boat or

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trailer. Do not wait until the evacuation order or exodus is well under way to start your trip.

Expect traffic congestion and listen for any advisories or specific instructions from local officials.

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Shelter from the Storm Rick Hickman / American Press Archives

Expect traffic congestion when evacuating.

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Minimize the distance you must travel to reach a safe location; the further you drive, the higher the likelihood of encountering traffic congestion and other problems on the roadways.

Select the nearest possible evacuation destination, preferably within your local area, and map out your route.

Do not get on the road without a planned route or a place to go.

Choose the home of the closest friend or relative outside a designated evacuation zone and discuss your plan with them before hurricane season.

You may also choose a hotel or motel outside of the vulnerable area. If

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neither of these options is available, consider the closest possible public shelter, preferably within your local area.

Use the evacuation routes designated by authorities and, if possible, become familiar with your route by driving it before an evacuation order is issued.

Contact your local emergency management office to register or get information regarding anyone in your household whom may require special assistance in order to evacuate.

Prepare a separate pet plan, most public shelters do not accept pets.

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C12 AMERICAN PRESS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022

Hurricane vocabulary review Special to the American Press

What to do before and after the storm The Public Health Preparedness and Response team at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these suggestions on what to do before and after a hurricane.

BEFORE

The National Hurricane Center recommends reviewing these common terms associated with hurricanes:

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

If your home has damage, do not reenter until it has been examined by a building inspector for safety.

Cover windows with storm shutters or plywood

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Eye: The calm, clear center of the storm, which is surrounded by the eyewall. The eyewall is where winds are strongest.

Direct death: A death that occurs due to hazards from physical forces of a hurricane. Examples include deaths by flooding, flying debris, or collapsing buildings.

Indirect death: A death that occurs after a hurricane as a result of hurricane damage.

Indirect deaths can be hard to count and can happen days, weeks, or even months after a storm passes. Examples include deaths due to power loss, overexertion during cleanup, generator accidents, and water-borne diseases spread by flooding.

Rip currents: A powerful type of current where water flows away from the shore back towards the sea, cutting through the waves. People are at risk of drowning when the rip current carries them so far offshore that they are unable to get back to the beach.

Rip currents and high surf can be deadly, even when storms are hundreds of miles offshore, sometimes days before a hurricane passes. Pay attention to signs on the beach and guidance from local officials and lifeguards.

AFTER

Prevent mold growth by airing out rooms and disinfecting.

Tune in for local information

Tap water may not be safe to drink. Listen to local warnings.

Throw away food that may be unsafe.

Know how to turn off your gas, electricity, and water in case you need to evacuate.

Secure outdoor items by moving them to the garage.

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Use generators, stoves, and grills outside and away from windows and doors.

20 feet Designate a shelter area if you can’t evacuate.

Rooms without windows are best.

Make an emergency kit.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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