Hurricane Season is June 1st – November 30th.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important now more than ever, that residents prepare early to ensure safety and peace of mind. We are here to help ensure you and your loved ones are ready. Protect yourself, your family, and your property with the following hurricane safety tips!
We encourage everyone, as the first step of hurricane preparedness in 2021, to get the COVID-19 vaccine. It will protect you and your family in the case of an emergency or evacuation. (If the City of New Orleans issues a mandatory evacuation, all residents and visitors must leave. If an evacuation is not ordered, it’s up to you to decide whether to evacuate or shelter in place.)
MAKE STORM PREP A FAMILY/FRIEND/NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITY
Make your hurricane plan. Communicate it to friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Talk to those who are not a part of your household and make a plan before a storm is looming. Let your kids prepare their own “go bag” with favorite toys, stuffed animals, books, games, etc.
PREPARE YOUR CAR FOR EVACUATION
Clean your car
Fill your gas tank
Check your car’s oil
Have working windshield wipers with maximum amount of fluid
Keep an empty gas can in your car
Be sure your spare tire is functional
Have working jumper cables
Keep wipes, toilet paper and/or paper towels available for rest stops
Travel with bottled water
PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR A HURRICANE
TIP: DON’T PLAN TO RELY ON YOUR SMARTPHONE DURING A HURRICANE.
Have the items below in your home in case you must shelter in place during a hurricane:
Extra batteries (be sure they are fresh)
Flashlight and head lamp
Battery-powered radio
Candles (a Pyrex measuring cup is a great holder because it’s not flammable and has a handle)
Matches
Battery operated fans
Solar/battery-powered lamps and lanterns
Electronic devices and back-up chargers (solar-powered chargers are great too)
Utility knife, shut off wrench, and pliers
Duct Tape
Compass
Paper and pencils
Non-electric can opener
Plastic sheeting
Rubber boots for every member of your household
Plastic garbage bag and ties
Ziploc bags
Pair of Walkie-Talkies with batteries
Mosquito repellent
PROTECT YOUR INSTRUMENTS
Heat, humidity and flooding can ruin your instruments or Mardi Gras Indian suits. Take steps to protect those items.
- If you are able, take instruments, suits, etc. with you in proper cases.
- Store valuables in heavy duty, weatherproof containers at the highest level of your home.
- Try to keep an inventory of your belongings (with photos) in case you need to file a claim for damages.
GENERATOR CARE
Test your generator before you need it. Be sure you have enough gas to run it for 7 days.
HEALTH CARE, PERSONAL AND HYGIENE SUPPLIES TO HAVE ON HAND
A supply of rubber gloves, masks, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, first aid kit
Essential medications, prescription medications and list of medications for each person
Special items for infants, and elderly or disabled family members
Toilet paper and baby wipes
Extra pair of glasses and sunglasses
Liquid soap
Feminine hygiene supplies
Protective clothing, rainwear and rubber boots
Changes of clothes and footwear (not flip flops)
An air mattress, bedding, sleeping bag or bedroll and pillow for each household member
One towel per person and plastic bag to keep it in
COOKING/FOOD PREPAREDNESS TIPS
Use this stay at home time to bake healthy muffins and individual bread loaves and freeze them for future use when there is a power outage.
Hibachis, BBQ pits or camp stoves are invaluable if you are without electricity for anything from several hours to weeks. Store charcoal in a waterproof plastic bin. Keep matches and lighters in separate plastic containers. If your BBQ or camp stove uses propane, make sure the propane tank is full and that you have a spare tank.
Freeze water in large milk cartons, they stay cold longer than ice and will keep your fridge cooler than in your ice chest.
Have items such as canned food and meats, fruits and vegetables, high-protein foods (peanut butter), a non-electric can opener, and bottled water (at least 3 gallons of water per person) on hand.
ORGANIZE IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Store important documents in a water tight container such as a Ziploc bag. If you are having trouble organizing your important documents, ask a family member or friend to help you collect, scan and print all of these documents.
Gather and protect important documents such as:
Driver’s license or personal identification
List of your medications and dosages and what you are taking each medication for
Insurance policies
Social Security and Health Insurance cards
Proof of residence (deed or lease)
Birth and marriage certificates
Wills, deeds, and copies of recent tax returns
Stocks, bonds and other negotiable certificates
Contact phone numbers and addresses for friends and family
Names of your medical providers, their phone numbers and addresses
Bank account numbers and passwords to all online accounts
Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (BE AWARE: you’ll need a professional to turn them back on.)
TIP: Put cash in a Ziploc baggie. When cell phones, ATMs and credit card readers are down cash is still accepted and vital.
SECURE/PREPARE YOUR HOME BEFORE YOU EVACUATE
Do home inventory with pictures (store on cloud) and lists of items printed for to go box
Get rid of all food trash before the storm hits to prevent pests and rodents
Close all windows, shutters and doors securely and have safe access to all home exits
Empty your freezer and fridge, turn it off (or unplug) and prop the doors open
Clear porches, balconies or patios completely and clear yard of any potential flying objects
Close toilet lids and close or cover all drains; if possible, pour a touch of bleach in all of them
CONNECT TO RESOURCES
ATTENTION NOMC PATIENTS
Update your contact info now in the LSUHN Patient Portal for access to your online medical records and medical providers.
Download the app “FollowMyHealth” in your mobile app store.
Register Special Needs
If you or a family member needs assistance evacuating during an emergency,
Register Online or Call 311 to register via phone.
Hurricane Prep: Pet Safety Tips
How to prepare for care of your pet during a hurricane
You Got This: Mental and Emotional Preparedness
Tools to help you manage stress and anxiety during storm season
For more information:
 | Evacuteer provides evacuation services at pick-up spots around the city of New Orleans to those in need of transportation assistance. |
 | NOLA Ready, the City of New Orleans’ hurricane preparedness campaign, has useful information, support, and emergency updates. |
 | Ready.Gov is the Department of Homeland Security’s website with helpful brochures and information on disaster preparedness, featuring tips on what to do before, during, and after a storm. |
Getagameplan.org
Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide
Text COVIDNOLA to 888-7777 to receive alerts on your phone
Call 311 to connect for special needs assistance
Acadiana resources:
Radio resources:
Evacuation check in locations:
Talluhah: TA Truck Stop exit 171 US I 20/I65
Bunkie: Sammy Truck Stop exit 53 I49/LA 115W
Alexandria: Y Not Truck Stop exit 3170/Hwy 71
MEGAN MCSTRAVICK, MSW: NOMC Social Services Intake Coordinator
Megan McStravick, MA has been NOMC’s dedicated Social Services Intake Coordinator since 2009. A native of Philadelphia, she first came to New Orleans as an undergraduate as part of a class on “The History and Culture of New Orleans.” She was so inspired by the vibrant culture, music, history and resiliency, that she relocated here permanently weeks later to enroll in Tulane University School of Social Work’s master’s program.