Camille. Betsy. Andrew. Katrina. Sandy. Harvey. Ida. To most Americans, these are just names… but for anyone who lives along the Gulf Coast, these names hold a different meaning. Every region of the country has its own potentially destructive weather patterns and for the Gulf Coast, it’s hurricanes.
Hurricane season is officially from June 1 to November 30. August and September are typically the months we walk on eggshells, always keeping one eye on the Gulf. Once a storm forms, we all wait to see what direction it’s going to go, and we start planning what direction we will go in response.
I’ve lived in Louisiana for almost four decades and have been through it all, including Katrina. I grew up hearing the legends of Betsy and Camille, and watched from afar while hurricanes like Ivan and Gustav took their toll on coastal states.
Hopefully, this article will serve as a hurricane checklist of sorts for folks all across the southeast. Even though I grew up with hurricanes, I know countless transplants want to make sure they are prepared.
Before the Storm
During a hurricane, evacuation processes are crucial for public safety and typically follow a structured plan to move people where a storm is projected from vulnerable areas to safer locations. This could be due to various factors from high winds, torrential rains causing storm surges, and fatal flooding. Local governments issue evacuation orders, which may be voluntary or mandatory, depending on the severity of the situation.
Evacuations are not something that people should take lightly. While some might consider an evacuation to be a forced, surprise vacation without any of the fun, it's important to always take heed of local authorities’ guidance first and foremost. While evacuations are not always in the budget, many will weigh their options based on their wallets. Once you factor in the price of gas, hotel rooms, and food, your evacuation tab quickly escalates beyond your comfort level. Many people stay because they simply can’t afford to go—an unfortunate reality. But before you make any decision to stay and ride out a hurricane, make sure you weigh the severity of the situation and what may be at stake.
You can use many resources to gain assistance in evacuating safely and with enough time. Plus, many of these resources are of no cost to you:
FEMA: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a phone app that provides real-time alerts, emergency shelter locations, and disaster survival tips.
National Hurricane Center (NHC): The NHC provides the latest forecasts, storm tracks, and safety recommendations.
Local Emergency Management Agencies: Local government websites and social media channels provide up-to-date information on evacuation routes, shelters, and transportation options.
American Red Cross: The Red Cross offers shelter information through its website and mobile app, helping evacuees find the nearest available shelter.
So you decide to ride out the storm. What’s next?
If you decide to hunker down and ride out the storm, you will need supplies. Hurricane prep is different for everyone, find what works best for you. Generally speaking, you want to make sure you have enough supplies to last three days for everyone in your household. Don’t forget about your pets!
The basic hurricane prep list includes:
- Water
- Non-perishable food
- Medicine
- First-Aid Kit
- Flashlight/Candles
This is the absolute bare bones for a disaster kit. Batteries, a battery-powered radio, and charging banks are also super helpful. Having a full tank of gas is important, too. I feel like my Louisiana card will get revoked if I don't at least mention alcohol here. It's certainly one of the first things to fly off the shelves.
A generator can be a huge asset during a hurricane. Not just for conveniences like television and having functional appliances but for medical equipment, too. Generators certainly make for a more “comfortable” experience, and often end up paying for themselves after a few storms. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a leading cause of death after storms, so please review generator safety before you use one. Keep that thing 20 feet away from your windows and doors.
Don’t forget about your important documents. Birth certificates, social security cards, passports, and any other important documents that are a pain to replace should be in a designated spot that you can snag quickly if you need to.
Take a moment to walk around the outside of your house. Secure any plants, furniture, or anything else that would become a projectile in high winds. Make sure your car is not parked in an area that could flood, but make sure to park it so that you can get out if you need to. Try not to park under trees, either.
The goal here is to prepare for wind and flooding.
Do your laundry. Do your dishes. Fill your bathtubs.
CLEAN YOUR STREET’S STORM DRAINS.
During the Storm
Even if you’re not a certified storm chaser, seeing firsthand what power Mother Nature holds is addicting. While it’s tempting to stay glued to the windows… don’t.
During the worst part of the storm, stay away from windows and doors. I know it’s tempting to watch the sky but it’s also insanely dangerous and now would not be a good time to need to call 911. Emergency services are going to have a difficult time reaching you under these conditions, so your main goal is to stay safe.
Make sure your devices are as charged as possible—power outages are inevitable. Sign up for your city’s emergency alert system. I live in New Orleans and get storm updates multiple times a day with NOLA READY.
Stay safe, stay ready. Keep an eye on your streets, and check your house for leaks periodically. If you have pets, give them some extra love. And a few treats.
After the Storm
Everyone assumes that the storm itself is the worst part, but the aftermath is equally as miserable. If you don’t have a generator, you’ll be without power for a while. It’s impossible to say how long power will be out for—there are so many factors.
The most important thing to do after a storm is stay put. So often we see news stories of people driving around to check out the damage, and that’s a great way to pop a tire.
Please, please, please—stay home. Leave the streets to the emergency response teams. Let them clear the streets and restore power before you jump in the car. I get it, we all get a little stir crazy after being stuck in our homes for a few days, but it’s just not safe. Stay home.
If you do need to drive somewhere (say, to check on someone) never drive through floodwater.
That brings me to my next topic: check on your neighbors. Make sure your neighbors are ok. Especially the elderly and anyone who lives alone. We are all in this together.
This is when the power of social media really shows how it can be used for good. I find community threads on Facebook and Reddit threads insanely helpful during these times. I remember during Katrina nola.com put up a message board so locals could check in on each other. It was an incredible resource to learn more about what specific neighborhoods looked like, what flooded, downed trees, etc.
What are your hurricane prep tips and tricks? Let's hear them in the comment section. Check out our States of Discovery episode, Chasing Storms, to learn more about storm safety.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
