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.

graphic of a family

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

graphic of car

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

flashlight, can opener, first aid kit, and duct tape

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.
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GENERATOR CARE

Test your generator before you need it. Be sure you have enough gas to run it for 7 days.

graphic of a generator

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

graphic of towel, sanitizing spray, and gloves

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.

graphic of person hooking up a propane tank

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.)

graphic of person holding paper

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

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Do home inventory with pictures (store on cloud) and lists of items printed for to go box

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Get rid of all food trash before the storm hits to prevent pests and rodents

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Close all windows, shutters and doors securely and have safe access to all home exits

graphic of refrigerator

Empty your freezer and fridge, turn it off (or unplug) and prop the doors open

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Clear porches, balconies or patios completely and clear yard of any potential flying objects

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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

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.