Hurricane Preparedness Guide

With an ‘above normal’ hurricane season predicted, preparing your family and your home should be a top priority. Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1 and will end on November 30. From gathering supplies like prescriptions, water and gasoline to securing your home, and staying up-to-date on the latest storm developments, here is a checklist to get you started. And remember to check on your neighbors!

Before the Storm:

• Stay aware of the storm’s track and conditions with local news media and social media
• Have an evacuation route planned
• Fill up all the vehicles with gas
• Follow hurricane-specific hashtags (what’s a hashtag?) like #hurricaneprep or #hurricaneseason2018. When a named storm threatens, it will become a hashtag – for instance, #hurricanekatrina.

Emergency Supplies

• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Water
• Non-perishable food
• Medications
• First-aid kit
• Generator (if available)
• Gasoline
• Ice
• Toilet paper

Protect Your Home

• Be up-to-date with your homeowner's insurance plan for natural disasters
• Pick up all outdoor furniture
• Secure all windows and doors
• Pick up anything outside that could be blown away by the wind
• Secure outside items such as loose gutters

General Safety Tips

• Take care of prescription needs before storm hits
• Make copies of essential medical documents in case of evacuation
• Never use a generator inside your home, garage or other enclosed areas. Engines emit carbon minoxide and fumes can build up - Only use your generator outdoors, away from open windows, vents or doors.

Social media is playing a bigger role these days in keeping us informed, so follow trusted sources and hashtags to keep you posted on the latest developments. Here are some resources you may find useful when preparing for and weathering a hurricane. Look over their websites and follow them on social media.

National: Department of Homeland Security | National Hurricane Center | Red Cross

Local: Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) | Get a Game Plan