Hurricane Preparedness Guide
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov 30 in the Atlantic Basin, this includes the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Formulating a plan
in advance is crucial for surviving these devastating storms. This preparedness guide provides important information about hurricane awareness
in addition, the necessary resources to rebuild after the storm.
CATEGORY |
WIND SPEED |
STORM SURGE |
DAMAGE POTENTIAL |
| One (Weak) |
74-95 mph |
4-5 ft |
Minimal damage to vegetation |
| Two (Moderate) |
96-110 mph |
6-8 ft |
Moderate damage to houses |
| Three (Strong) |
111-130 mph |
9-12 ft |
Extensive damage to small buildings |
| Four (Very strong) |
131-155 mph |
3-18 ft |
Extreme structural damage |
| Five (Devastating) |
Over 155 mph |
Over 18 ft |
Catastrophic building failures possible |
TROPICAL STORM WATCH
A tropical storm could hit within 36 hours. Once the watch has been announced, residents should monitor their radios for bulletins.
TROPICAL STORM WARNING
Tropical storm conditions with winds of 39-73 mph are expected in 72 hours or less. Residents should start making preparations for a
hurricane watch. Be ready to evacuate or have supplies on hand to ride out a hurricane.
HURRICANE WATCH
A hurricane may hit within 36 hours. Be prepared and keep informed for the hurricane warning, making sure you have everything on hand
to either ride out the storm or evacuate.
HURRICANE WARNING
A hurricane with sustained winds of at least 74 mph is expected in 24 hours or less. This means mobile homes; beachfront and low-lying areas
should be evacuated. Stay in your home if it is sturdy on high ground. If you are asked to leave by authorities, you should leave.
HURRICANE HAZARDS
STORM SURGE
Is water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around the storm. This advancing surge combines with the normal
tides to create the hurricane storm tide, which can increase the average water level 15 feet or more.
INLAND FLOODING
In the last 30 years, inland flooding has been responsible for more than half the deaths associated with tropical cyclones in the United States.
HIGH WINDS
Hurricane-force winds can destroy poorly constructed buildings and mobile homes. Debris such as signs, roofing material, and small items left
outside become flying missiles in hurricanes.
TORNADOES
Hurricanes can produce tornadoes that add to the storm’s destructive power. Tornadoes are most likely to occur in the right-front quadrant of
the hurricane
EVACUATION
If local authorities recommend evacuation, you should leave. Remember, evacuation routes can be closed by high winds and water many hours
before a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall. Additionally rainfall and local drainage conditions can flood evacuation routes quickly. Listen
to your local radio station for updated information.
As you evacuate:
Know where you are going and leave early.
Make sure you have a full fuel tank in your vehicle.
Turn off gas, water, and electricity in your home.
Lock doors and windows, leave a note on the door indicating your destination, and identifying an out-of area point of contact.
Keep important papers, including insurance forms, driver’s licenses, property inventory, and medical information, with you at all times.
Prepare Your Disaster Supply Kits Early!
√ Start with an easy to carry container and gather the following items:
√ Anti-bacterial hand wipes or gel
√ Baby supplies: formula, bottle, clothing, soap, diapers, canned foods and juices
√ Battery-operated radio and TV with extra batteries
√ Blankets/sleeping bags
√ Bleach
√ Clothing: Include changes of clothing, sturdy shoes, and seasonal items such as rain gear.
√ Extra Cash
√ Fire extinguisher – ABC type
√ First Aid Kit
√ Flashlight and extra batteries
√ Food, water, leash and carrier for pets
√ Games and books
√ Jumper cables
√ Lantern with extra fuel
√ Non-electric can opener
√ Non-perishable foods such as canned meats, granola bars, instant soup cereals, etc.
√ Paper Plates, Cups & Utensils
√ Portable Cooler
√ Toiletries
√ Tools
√ Water –1 gallon per person for each day you anticipate being gone
√ Waterproof Matches
Alternate In-state Hurricane Evacuation Routes
In order to relieve traffic congestion on Hwy 49 during Mississippi Gulf Coast hurricane evacuations, please take the following routes
to arrive at your final destination. The routes are posted to a map on page 29 and will provide you with further details.
I-10 West Contraflow Lanes
• Eastbound and westbound lanes from Clearview Pkwy in
Metairie to I-55 N in LaPlace will be used as westbound lanes.
• All I-10 W entrances through New Orleans, Metairie and
Kenner will be used in their normal manner to gain access from
I-10 W.
I-55 North Contraflow Lanes
• Northbound and southbound lanes from I-12 in Hammond to
the MS state line will be used as northbound lanes.
• Traffic traveling I-55 N will be diverted onto I-55 N Contraflow
and will only be allowed to exit at two locations: Exit 47 (LA-16)
in Amite and Exit 61 (LA-38) in Kentwood.
I-59 North Contraflow Lanes
• Northbound and southbound lanes north of the I-10/I-12/I-59
interchange will be used as northbound lanes.
BROWN (I-10/I-55 North to Hammond and Mississippi)
• In LaPlace, the I-10 W lanes will be diverted to I-55 N toward
Hammond and Mississippi. Traffic will not be allowed to
continue on I-10 W at this interchange.
• All traffic traveling on I-55 N will travel in the existing
northbound lanes.
• When traffic traveling on I-55 N reaches the I-55/I-12
interchange in Hammond, I-55 will begin to Contraflow (all
lanes will travel north into Mississippi).
BLUE (I-10 West to Baton Rouge)
• Traffic destined for Baton Rouge may enter the Contraflow
lanes
from Clearview Pkwy, Veterans Blvd, or Williams Blvd.
• Traffic destined for Baton Rouge may enter the Contraflow
lanes from I-10 W via a crossover at the Clearview Pkwy
overpass. This is the only opportunity to enter the
Contraflow lanes from I-10 W without exiting and reentering
the interstate.
• In LaPlace, I-10 Contraflow traffic will be diverted onto the
westbound lanes of I-10 and will continue west on I-10
toward
Baton Rouge.
RED (Causeway to Covington, I-12, Hammond, Mississippi)
• Northbound traffic on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway will be
diverted onto I-12 W at the US-190/I-12 interchange and will
continue on I-12 W to Hammond.
• I-12 W will be diverted onto I-55 N at the I-12/I-55 interchange
in Hammond.
• I-55 N will continue north into Mississippi.
GREEN (I-10 East to I-59, North to Slidell, Mississippi)
• I-10 E traffic from New Orleans will cross the I-10 Twin Spans
using three eastbound lanes.
• Contraflow of I-59 will begin at the I-10/I-12/I-59 interchange.
• At the I-10/I-12/I-59 interchange, the left and center lanes of
eastbound I-10 will be diverted onto I-59 S Contraflow lanes.
Only the right lane will continue on I-59 N.
• The I-10 E traffic will not be allowed to continue on I-10 E
or I-12 W.
PURPLE (I-59 North to Mississippi from I-10 West)
• I-10 E traffic from New Orleans will cross the I-10 E Twin
Spans using three eastbound lanes.
• Only the right lane will continue onto I-59 N.
• All traffic on I-10 W from Mississippi will be diverted on I-59 N
at the I-10/I-12/I-59 interchange.
• I-10 W traffic will not be allowed to continue on I-10 or I-12.
ORANGE (I-12 Westbound - Covington/Hammond)
• Traffic traveling on I-12 W between Covington (US-190) and
Hammond (I-55) will NOT be allowed to continue on I-12 W.
This traffic must divert onto I-55 N.
• Traffic traveling on I-12 W between Slidell (I-10/I-12/I-59
interchange) and Covington (US-190) will NOT be allowed to
continue on I-12 W. This traffic will be diverted onto US-190 W.
• Traffic traveling on US-190 W will be allowed to continue to
Baton Rouge.
All interstate exit ramps will be open to normal traffic flow.
Interstate exit ramps in the Contraflow lanes will be limited and
marked with variable message boards.
EMERGENCY ALERT RADIO SYSTEM
In the event of any emergency, information will be broadcasted on these Mississippi Emergency Alert System radio stations:
New Orleans - WWL 870AM and WLMG 101.9FM
Baton Rouge - WJBO 1150AM, WFMF 102.5FM, EAGLE 98.1 FM
Lafayette - KVOL 1330 AM and KTDY 99.9 FM
Lake Charles - KLCL 1470 AM and KHLA 99.5 FM
Shreveport - KWKH 1130 AM and 94.5 FM
Alexandria - KZMZ 580 AM and 96.9 FM, KSYL 970 AM, KQID 93.1 FM
Monroe - KNOX 540 AM and 101.9 FM
LOUISIANA STATE INFORMATION
Attorney General - www.ag.state.la.us............................. 225-326-6705
Dept of Environmental Qlty- www.deq.louisiana.gov....... 866-896-5337
Dept. of Agriculture & Forestry - www.ldaf.state.la.us....... 225-922-1234
Dept. of Health and Hospitals - www.dhh.state.la.us........ 225-342-9500
Dept. of Insurance - www.ldi.la.gov .................................. 800-259-5300
Dept. of Labor................................................................www.laworks.net
Dept. of Natural Resources - www.dnr.louisiana.gov....... 225-342-4500
Dept. of Social Services - www.dss.state.la.us................. 888-524-3578
Dept. of Transportation - www.dotd.state.la.us................. 225-379-1100
Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries - www.wlf.louisiana.gov....... 225-765-2800
Governor’s Office- www.gov.state.la.us............................ 866-366-1121
LSU Hurricane Center - www.hurricane.lsu.edu. ............. 225-578-4813
National Weather Service Forecast Office (N Orlns/BR)
www.srh.noaa.gov/lix........................................................ 504-522-7330
Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
Office of Tourism - www.louisianatravel.com
State Police - www.lsp.org................................................ 225-925-6325
(*LSP from any cell phone)
State Police Road Closure Hotline...................................... 800-469-4828
US Coast Guard (8th District) ............................................. 504-846-6160
www.ohsep.louisiana.gov......................800-256-7036 or 225-925-7500
NATIONAL INFORMATION
American Red Cross ............................... 1-866-438-4636
www.redcross.org
Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov
FEMA.............................................................. 1-800-621-3362
www.fema.org
US Department of Homeland Security
www.dhs.gov
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) www.noaa.gov
NOAA National Coastal Data Development Center: www.ncddc.noaa.gov
NOAA National Climatic Data Center: www.ncdc.noaa.gov
NOAA National Data Buoy Center: www.ndbc.noaa.gov
NOAA National Hurricane Center: www.nhc.noaa.gov
NOAA National Oceanographic Data Center: www.nodc.noaa.gov
NOAA National Weather Service: www.nws.noaa.gov
NOAA Coastal Services Center: www.csc.noaa.gov
NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information: www.nesdis.noaa.gov
NOAA Watch - NOAA's All-Hazard Monitor: www.noaawatch.gov
OTHER RESOURCES
FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
The National Flood Insurance Program is a pre-disaster flood mitigation and insurance protection program designed to reduce the
escalating cost of disasters. The National Flood Insurance Program makes federally backed flood insurance available to residents
and business owners.
www.fema.gov/business/nfip/
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)
The SBA program can offer low interest loans to individuals and businesses for refinancing, repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of
damaged property (real and personal).
www.sba.gov
FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS & HOUSEHOLD
There are two primary types of disaster assistance made available through FEMA - Housing assistance and other needs assistance.
Call 800-621-3362.
www.fema.gov
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
Individuals unemployed because of a major disaster, and not covered by regular state or private unemployment insurance programs,
may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Call 888-844-3577.
www.mdes.ms.gov
FOOD COUPONS
Emergency food coupons may be made available to disaster victims. The U.S. Department of Agriculture at the federal level and the Mississippi
State Economic Assistance administer this program. Call 1-800-948-3050.
www.mdhs.state.ms.us |
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