1. If the threat is still uncertain:

As a precaution:

• Change emergency drinking-water supplies if older than six months. It’s OK to fill clean containers with tap water.
• Update phone numbers, addresses, meeting locations and priorities in your family disaster plan.
• Check and refresh your items you may need after a storm. *
• Check and refresh your life’s necessities. *
• Collect items you wanted to bring when you evacuate.* Pack one bundle per person.
• Locate your window protection panels and the hardware needed to install them.
• Fill the car’s gas tank.
• Keep a tire repair kit, small shovel and maps in the car.
• If you have a home garden, harvest all the vegetables that are ripe or close to being ready. (The crop may be destroyed by wind, and vegetables exposed to floodwaters must be discarded.)
• Start bringing unsecured items indoors or lashing them down.
• Find the concrete blocks for raising furniture and appliances. Water may wick up the blocks, so put plastic between the blocks and articles placed on top.
• Protect your property from flooding as the threat becomes more certain.

* Reference the other lists for items to include in your life’s necessities, items you may need after a storm and what you’ll need when you evacuate.

2. Take it or leave it

During a hurricane, you need some supplies just to survive. You may have to leave home, and you may find yourself spending a night, or several nights, in a car. After a hurricane, you may be housebound for a week or longer, probably with no electricity. Water may be off or contaminated. Stores may be closed.

Early in hurricane season, gather what you’ll need and keep it in a central location – above potential flood level. Don’t forget about your pets’ needs, too.

Consider buying an electrical generator to meet your emergency requirements for power. This is particularly important if you must operate medical equipment. It also may be the best way to protect your investment in frozen foods.

3. Life’s necessities

At home, on the road or in a typical shelter

Items listed here have a long shelf life but will disappear from stores quickly when hurricane warnings are issued. Gather these supplies now; you’ll need to make other preparations as a storm approaches.

• Drinking water: At least 2 quarts per person per day. A gallon per person is better.
• Food: Nonperishable foods requiring little or no cooking and no refrigeration. Can or jar sizes should be appropriate for one meal with no leftovers. Remember such items as baby food, anything you need for special dietary requirements and a hand-crank can opener. Keep low-volume, high-energy foods on hand, such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter.
• Prescription medicines: Keep ample supplies and a list of prescription numbers, doctors and pharmacists, along with their phone numbers.
• Medical devices, such as pacemakers: List styles and serial numbers.

4. Items you may need after a storm

Whether at home or evacuating by car

• Battery-operated flashlights with extra batteries and bulbs
• Hurricane lamps, lanterns and camp stoves, along with appropriate fuel (Try to avoid candles.)
• Insect repellent
• Matches (in a waterproof container)
• Portable radio with extra batteries
• First-aid kit and manual
• Fuel for your electrical generator and outdoor grill
• Ice chest
• Disposable plates, cups, utensils, etc.
• Diapers, wipes and plastic bags
• Toilet paper and feminine products

5. When you evacuate

These are things you’ll be glad you brought in addition to life’s necessities.

• Clean clothing, towels and blankets: enough for the family for three to four days. Be sure to include children’s clothing and sturdy, comfortable shoes for everyone.
• Toiletries: Soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, moist towelettes, hair brushes and hair ties, bands or clips.
• Entertainment: Games, reading material, knitting or sewing, toys and writing, drawing or needlework materials to help pass the time.
• An extra set of car keys.
• Credit card, cash or travelers checks: If possible, set aside a credit card you don’t use often – one with enough credit available to sustain you for a few days or a week.
• Special items for infants, the elderly and family members with disabilities.
• Identification showing your address. Re-entry to a disaster area often is restricted to residents of the area. Keep proof with you.

6. Listen to Local Officials

Each community subject to a hurricane threat has a hurricane safety plan. Find out about your community’s plan, and make it part of your family plan.

The local emergency management officials have the most up-to-date information for your area. Follow their recommendations before, during and after a hurricane.

7. Evacuating with Pets

Don't forget about your pets.

• Consider packing a “pet survival” kit that easily could be deployed if disaster hits. Take pet food, bottled water, medications, veterinary records, cat litter/pan, manual can opener, food dishes, first-aid kit and other supplies with you in case they’re not available later.
• Identify shelters. For public health reasons, many emergency shelters cannot accept pets.
• Make sure identification tags are fastened to your pet’s collar and have a current photo of your pet to help with identification, if needed.
• Have a secure pet carrier, leash or harness for your pet.

8. Useful Websites

LSU AgCenter
www.LSUAgCenter.com

Louisiana Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness www.gohsep.la.gov www.emergency.louisiana.gov

National Hurricane Center
www.nhc.noaa.gov

Federal Emergency Management Agency
www.fema.gov

9. Useful Contact Info

Selected Louisiana Parishes
(most affected by hurricanes and tropical storms)

Emergency Management Offices

Acadia...........................337-783-4357
Ascension.................... 225-621-8360
Assumption..................985-369-7386
Calcasieu......................337-721-3800
Cameron.......................337-775-7048
Iberia ............................337-369-4427
Iberville.........................225-687-5140
Jefferson ......................504-349-5360
Jefferson Davis .............337-824-3850
Lafayette .......................337-291-5075
Lafourche......................985-532-8174
Orleans........................504-658-8700
Plaquemines.................504-274-2476
St. Bernard...................504-278-4268
St. Charles...................985-783-5050
St. James.....................225-562-2364
St. John the Baptist......985-652-2222
St. Martin ......................337-394-2800
St. Mary ........................337-828-4100
St. Tammany ................985-898-2359
Terrebonne ..................985-873-6357
Vermilion.......................337-898-4308

LSU AgCenter Parish Offices

Acadia..........................337-788-8821
Ascension.................... 225-621-5799
Assumption.................. 985-369-6386
Calcasieu......................337-475-8812
Cameron.......................337-905-1318
Iberia ............................337-369-4441
Iberville......................... 225-687-5155
Jefferson ...................... 504-736-6519
Jefferson Davis ............. 337-824-1773
Lafayette ......................337-291-7090
Lafourche..................... 985-446-1316
Orleans........................ 504-658-2900
Plaquemines................ 504-433-3664
t. Bernard................... 504-278-4234
St. Charles....................985-785-4473
St. James......................225-562-2320
St. John the Baptist........985-497-3261
St. Martin .....................337-332-2181
St. Mary .......................337-828-4100
St. Tammany ................985-875-2635
Terrebonne ...................985-873-6495
Vermilion.......................337-898-4335

Download Handout Sheet and Tracking Chart

Download this handy sheet with all the tips on what to do when preparing for a hurricane and Emergency Management Office telephone numbers for selected Louisiana parishes (most affected by hurricanes and tropical storms). It is designed to print on legal-sized paper. (PDF Format Only)

Download Tracking Chart and Tips