With what has been a quiet start thus far to this year’s hurricane season, many New Orleanians may be breathing a sigh of relief.
However, experts warn not to let your guard down just yet, as this is still projected to be a very busy hurricane season. The meat of the season when the gulf has historically become the most active is still around the corner in August. Mike Steele, spokesperson for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) says “This is normally the time of year when activity ramps up. Some of the most damaging storms in Louisiana’s recent history have happened over the window of the next couple of weeks.”
While experts remain hopeful that earlier predictions could still be wrong, Steele reminds people “not to hang your hat on hope” and to remain prepared even in relatively calm times in case the need to evacuate actually pops up. “We ask everyone to stay prepared, and part of that includes making sure you have your emergency supplies. That’s a good idea year round” says Steele.
The basic rule is to have enough supplies for each family member taking shelter with you for up to 3 days. Steele also reminds people to think of important things they may not prioritize in a hurry when they need to leave town: bringing prescription medical information, copies of insurance paperwork, birth certificates, and other important documentation. These things can be hard to access on the go and can be crucial to accessing what you need while out of town. GOHSEP offers a free, downloadable preparedness guide for residents at getagameplan.org and encourages Louisiana residents to keep it handy in case of the need for evacuation.
