Hurricane season is here, and New Orleans city leaders say they have a game plan ready if a storm threatens the city.
They're pushing residents to create their own hurricane plan just in case a hurricane comes our way.
"We focus on planning, training, and exercise all throughout the year," New Orleans emergency preparedness manager Darrick Hesson said, adding that the city has reviewed and updated its emergency plans ahead of this hurricane season as well as conducted readiness exercises with local, state, and federal partners.
Hesson says residents need to conduct their own preparedness exercises. Specifically, he says residents of the Gulf Coast and the city of New Orleans need to have an evacuation plan.
"Know where you would go and how you would get there and how you would communicate with your family members during an emergency," Hesson said to WWL's Tommy Tucker. "Prepare a go bag in case you need to leave quickly."
Hesson says you should also have a shelter-in-place plan ready in the event you can't evacuate before a storm strikes the region.
"Gather supplies. Build a home kit with non-perishable food, water, medications, and other essentials to last several days," Hesson said.
Hesson said residents can sign up for NOLA Ready alerts to stay informed before, during, and after a storm passes over the area.
"These small steps taken now can make a difference during an emergency," Hesson said.
