Hurricane Preparedness

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year, with the peak occurring between mid-August and late October. Planning ahead is the best thing that you can do to protect your home and family in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm. Below you will find basic preparedness tips, local contacts, and additional resources to help ensure that your family is ready in the event of a major storm.

Top Tips to Be Prepared:

1. Make plans to protect your property. Shutter or cover windows to prevent them from breaking. Bring lawn furniture, toys, trash cans, and other objects indoors.
2. Know where to go. Learn evacuation routes and contraflow procedures. Determine where you can stay and how you would get there if you need to evacuate. Find evacuation routes here.
3. Gather personal documents, including Social Security cards, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth & marriage certificates, etc. Make a record of these and all valuable possessions.
4. Keep your automobile fully fueled in the event that gas supply becomes scarce or pumps lose operational capacity.
5. Put together a go-bag: disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first-aid supplies, medications, and copies of your critical information.
6. If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or obstructed roads.
7. Make a family emergency communication plan.
8. If you are receiving Social Security or Veterans Benefits make sure you have direct deposit. This will ensure you receive all of your benefits if you have to evacuate. The Social Security Administration's telephone number is 1-800-772-1213 or visit their website. The Veterans Administration's telephone number is 1-877-222-8387 or visit their website.
9. Know how to shut off utilities. Know where gas pilots are located and how the heating and air-conditioning system works. If you have any questions, contact your local utility company.

Local Contacts:

Acadia Parish

• http://www.appj.org/emergency-preparedness-homeland-security/
• Facebook

Calcasieu Parish

• https://www.cppj.net/services/emergency-preparedness
• Facebook
• Twitter

Cameron Parish

• https://cameronpj.org/departments-and-services/office-of-emergency-preparedness/
• Facebook
• Twitter

Iberia Parish

• http://www.iberiaparishgovernment.com/2018-admin-e911.asp
• Facebook
• Twitter

Jeff Davis Parish

• http://www.jeffdavis.org/
• Facebook
• Twitter

Lafayette Parish

• http://lafayetteohsep.org/Pages/default.aspx
• Facebook

St. Landry Parish

• Facebook

St. Martin Parish

• http://www.stmartinohsep.org/
• Facebook
• Twitter

St. Mary Parish

• http://stmaryohsep.org/
• Facebook
• Twitter

Vermilion Parish

• http://vppj.org/2012DEPTsecurity.html
• Facebook
• Twitter

Additional Resources:

Road Closures & Traffic Alerts

• 511LA.org or dial "511" on your mobile phone for real-time traffic information.
• Follow @LA_DOTD@LC_Traffic@LAF_Traffic on Twitter.

Local Weather Alerts

• National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) | http://www.noaa.gov/
• The Weather Channel | https://weather.com/storms/hurricane-central
• Follow @NWSLakeCharles and @NWSNewOrleans on Twitter.

Disaster Recovery

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) | https://www.fema.gov/
  • Follow @FEMA and @FEMARegion6 on Twitter.
  • Phone: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
  • Register Damages in Designated Parishes: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/

• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) | https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
  • Disaster Customer Service Center: 1-800-659-2955