Hurricane Preparedness:  Be Red Cross Ready

Updated:  June 12, 2009

Much of the worry of hurricane season can be eliminated by advance preparation.  With hurricane season running from June 1 through November 30 now is the perfect time to be Red Cross Ready.  These three easy steps should provide you with the necessary information to create a preparedness plan for you and your family.

1. MAKE A PLAN:

1. Meet with your family and friends and others in your support network to explain your concerns and work with them as a team to prepare.
2. Have each family member carry contact information in their wallet.
3. Choose an out of town/state contact person. After a disaster it is often erasier to make a long distance call than a local call from a disaster area.
4. learn about the emergency plans and procedures that exist in your community. Know about the City's evacuation plan. Orleans Parish residents who do not have evacuation transportation of their own or through friends or family should plan early by calling 311 to register with the CIty Assisted Evacuation Plan. For more information residents can dial 311, or 1-877-286-6431, or 1-800-981-NOLA(6652) for the hearing impaired. People outside of Orleans Parish shoudl call their parish Office of Emergency Preparedness to learn about any community assisted evacuation services that may be available.
   Plan for transportation if you need to evacuate to a shelter.

2. BUILD A KIT:

Have a disaster supply kit packed and ready and in one place before a disaster threatens. Label all items with your name, address and phone number and remember to keep your kit up to date:

Items to include:

1. Flashlight with plenty of extra batteries
2. Weather radio
3. First Aid kit
4. Prescription medications in their original bottles (enough for 7-10 days) and copies of all perscriptions.
5. Eyeglasses (with copy of perscription)
6. Water (at least one gallon per person per day is recommended; more is better)
7. Foods that do not require refrigerations or cooking.
8. Food for family members with special dietary needs.
9. Items that infants and elderly household members may require (such as formula, diapers, baby food)
10. Medical equipment and devices such as dentures, crutches, prosteses, etc.
11. Change of clothes for each member of the family for at least three (3) days.
12. Sleeping bag or bedroll and pillow for each household member
13. Checkbook, cash and credit cards
14. Map of the area.
15. Important papers such as: driver's license or personal identification, social security card, proof of residence (deed or lease), insurance policies, birth and marriage certificates, stock, bonds and other negotiable certificates, will, deed and copies of recent tax return.
16. Bug spray

3. STAY INFORMED:

1. Know how local authorities will warn of pending disaster and how they will provide information before, during and after the disaster.
2. Follow the local news.  The American Red Cross, Southeast Louisiana Chapter will release information on Red Cross operations to all local news stations, WWL -TV, WSDU, FOX 8 and WNOE ABC26, local radio stations WWL 870 AM and 101.9 FM, and on this website www.arcno.org
3. When your mayor or parish president calls for an evacuation, leave.

What to do when an evacuation is ordered:

If you need to evacuate:

1. Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes
2. Take your disaster supply kit
3. Lock your home
4. Use evacuation routes designated by local officials.
   

If you need to use public shelters:

The American Red Cross will open shelters if a disaster affects a large number of people or if the emergency is expected to last for several days.

1. Know when to go to a shelter:  If your area is without electrical power, or flood water is rising, if your home has been severely damaged or if local officials tell you to evacuate.
2. Know what to expect at a Red Cross Shelter:  All Red Cross emergency services ar provided free of charge and include: food, temporary and basic first aid.
3. Listen to the radio or call 211 for shelter information during an evacuation.

Sources of Online Information for the 2009 Hurricane Season

RED CROSS SOURCES:

American Red Cross:  www.redcross.org

American Red Cross Weather Page: https://arcims.redcross.org/website/weather/ARC_Weather.html

LOUISIANA SOURCES:

Louisiana Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: http://www.ohsep/louisiana.gov

Louisiana Hurricane Preparedness Homepage: http://getagameplan.org/

Louisiana Disaster Information Homepage:  http://emergency.louisiana.gov/

Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Parish Office of Emergency Prepardness: http://ohsep.louisiana.gov/parish/parishoepnumbers.html

New Orleans/Baton Rouge National Weather Service Page:  http://srh/weather.gov/lix/

FEDERAL SOURCES:

FEMA:  www.fema.gov

Ready Gov: http://www.ready.gov

National Hurricane Center:  http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

AARP:  www.aarp.org