[MKOB] FW: Top Tips for Preparing for Hurricane Season - Louisiana

[HArtzog]

Subject: FW: Top Tips for Preparing for Hurricane Season - Louisiana



May 21, 2007

FEMA.gov <http://www.fema.gov/>

Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
<http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/>

READY.gov <http://www.ready.gov/>


This info I got from worlk allows you to put in your address and get an idea
of what your insurance risks are.



Top Tips for Preparing for Hurricane Season


Your Safety--Your Responsibility First!

The first line of defense in protecting yourself, your family and your
property comes from being informed and prepared for a tropical storm or
hurricane in your area. Here are our top 10 tips for becoming "Hurricane
Ready."

Know what problems you might face if a storm is approaching. Are you in
a storm surge area or an area that is flood-prone
<http://www.floodsmart.gov> ? Do you live in a mobile home? Is your area
vulnerable to tropical storm force winds?

Create an emergency plan for you, your family or friends. Make sure
everyone is familiar with the plan and practice it at least once before
a storm forms in the Gulf. The American Red Cross
<http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_239_,00.html>  and
Ready.gov <http://www.ready.gov>  have excellent information on
developing your plans.

Build an emergency kit. Include one for your home and one for your car
in case you have to evacuate. Make sure to include cash, important
papers such as mortgage and insurance information along with food items,
water, medications, etc.

Have an individual or family communications plan. Pick someone in
another region as an emergency contact so people will know where you and
your family are located. This plan will also help if you and your
immediate family get separated during a storm event.

Plan for family members or others with special needs or disabilities.
Consider the medications or items specific to their needs in the
emergency kit. If you don't have a car or need special transportation,
make arrangements with friends, neighbors or relatives for a ride. You
can also contact your local emergency manager to find out what
arrangements may be available. It's critical to have a plan ahead of
time!

Know where to go if you are instructed to evacuate. Do you have family
or friends with whom you can stay? If making hotel reservations, make
sure to confirm them.

Stay alert to weather information and listen to your local emergency
managers. Keep your gas tank full at all times. When they say it's time
to evacuate, DO IT!

Be prepared to be on your own for several days whether you evacuate or
not. That may include being without electricity or clean drinking water.
Take this into consideration when building your emergency kit.

Prepare your home and property for severe weather. Suggestions include
flood-proofing your home, securing your mobile home, and if outside of a
flood area, building a safe room to protect from wind and tornadoes.
Also, consider purchasing flood insurance now. There is a 30-day waiting
period before the policy goes into effect. Go to Floodsmart.gov for
details.

Include your pets in your planning. It is critical to board them or take
them with you. In either case, advance planning remains the key to your
animal's health and safety and your peace of mind. The Humane Society
<http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/resources/>
provides excellent tips on preparing your pets for emergencies.

For more information on disaster preparedness, visit
http://www.ready.gov/, http://www.fema.gov/ or
http://www.OHSEP.louisiana.gov/


FEMA Region VI
800 N. Loop 288, Denton, Texas 76208