Hurricane Preparedness

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Be Prepared

St. Charles Parish is encouraging all residents to always Be Prepared for a hurricane threat. Atlantic Hurricane Season lasts from June 1 until November 30. St. Charles Parish, with its low elevation and close proximity to open water on both East and West Banks, remains uniquely vulnerable to all types of hurricane threats.

Hurricane Safety

Be prepared BEFORE hurricane season.

Know the storm history and elevation of your area.

Learn safe routes inland.

Learn the locations of official shelters.

Review needs and working condition of emergency equipment, such as flashlights, battery powered radios, etc.

Ensure that enough non-perishable food and water are on hand to last for at least two weeks.

Obtain and store materials, such as plywood and plastic, necessary to properly secure your home.

Check home for loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.

Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed. Cut weak branches and trees that could fall or bump against the house.

When trimming, try to create a channel through the foliage to the center of the tree to allow for air flow.

Determine where to move your boat in an emergency.

Review your insurance policy to ensure it provides adequate coverage.

For information and assistance with any of the above, contact the local National Whether Service office, emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter.

When a Hurricane Watch is Issued

Frequently monitor radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio for official bulletins as the storms progress.

Fuel and service family vehicles.

Inspect and secure mobile home tie downs.

Prepare to cover all windows and door openings with shutters or other shielding materials.

Check food and water supplies.

Have clean, airtight containers on hand to store at least two weeks of drinking water (14 gallons per person).

Stock up on canned provisions.

Get a camping stove with fuel.

Keep a small cooler with frozen gel packs handy for packing refrigerated items.

Check prescription medicines and obtain a supply for at least 10 days to two weeks.

Stock up on extra batteries for radios, flashlights and lanterns.

Prepare to store and secure outdoor lawn furniture and other loose, lightweight objects, such as garbage cans, garden tools, potted plants, etc.

Check and replenish first-aid supplies.

Have an extra supply of cash on hand.

When a Hurricane Warning is Issued

Closely monitor radio, TV or NOAA Wether Radio for official bulletins.

Follow instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if ordered to do so.

Complete preparation activities, such as putting up storm shutters, storing loose objects, etc.

Evacuate areas that might be affected by storm surge flooding.

If evacuating, leave early (if possible, in daylight).

Leave your mobile home in any case.

Notify neighbors and a family member outside of the warned area of your evacuation plans.

If Evacuating

Live in a mobile home. DO NOT stay in a mobile home under any circumstances. They are unsafe in high wind and/or hurricane conditions, no mater how well-fastened to the ground.

Live on the coastline or on a offshore island, or live near a river or in a flood plain.

Live in a high-rise. Hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations. Glass doors and widows may be blown out of their casings and weaken the structure.

Stay with friends or relatives or at a low-rise inland hotel or motel outside flood zones. Leave early to avoid heavy traffic, roads blocked by early flood waters and bridges impassible due to high winds.

Shelters will be available for people who have no other place to go. Shelters may be crowed and uncomfortable, with no privacy and no electricity. Do not leave your home for a shelter until government officials announce on radio and/or television that a particular shelter is open.

What to bring to a shelter:
- First-aid kit
- Medicine
- Baby food and diapers
- Cards
- Games
- Books
- Toiletries
- Battery-powered radio
- Flashlight (per person)
- Extra batteries
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Identification
- Valuable papers (insurance, etc.)
- Cash

If Staying in a Home

Only stay in a home if you have not been ordered to leave. If you are told to leave, do so immediately.

Fill sterilized jugs and bottles with water for a two-week supply of drinking water. Fill bathtubs and large containers with water for sanitary purposes.

Turn the refrigerator to maximum cold and open only when necessary.

Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities.

Turn off propane tanks.

Unplug small appliances.

Stay inside a well-constructed building. In structures, such as a home, examine the building and plan in advance what you will do if winds become strong. Strong winds can produce deadly missiles and structural failure.

If winds become strong, stay away from windows and doors even if they are covered. Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway. Take a battery-powered radio, a NOAA Weather Radio and a flashlight with you to your place of refuge.

Close all interior doors. Secure and brace external doors, particularly double inward opening doors and garage doors.

If you are in a two-story house, go to an interior first-floor room or basement, such as a bathroom, closet or under the stairs.

Lie on the floor under tables or other sturdy objects.

Be alert for tornadoes, which are often spawned by hurricanes.

If the eye of the hurricane should pass over your area, be aware that the improved weather conditions are temporary and that storm conditions will return with winds coming from the opposite direction sometimes in a period of just a few minutes.

After the Storm Passes

Beware of Outdoor Hazards

Avoid downed power lines and any water in which they might be lying.

Be alert for poisonous snakes, often driven from their dens by high water.

Beware of weakened bridges and washed out roads.

Watch for weakened limbs on trees and/or damaged overhanging structures.

Do not use the telephone unless absolutely necessary. The system usually is jammed with calls during and after a hurricane.

Guard against spoiled food. Use dry or canned food. Do not drink or prepare food with tap water until you are certain it is not contaminated.

When cutting up fallen trees, use caution, especially if you are using a chain saw. Serious injuries can occur when these powerful machines snap back or when the chain breaks.

Stay Connected

St. Charles Parish offers a variety of ways to stay connected during storms and other emergencies.

Phone

Emergency Information Line: 1-888-SCP-9EOC
Emergency Operations Center: (985) 783-5050
Parish President and Council Main Line: (985) 783-5000

Internet

News and Emergency Messaging

Visit www.scpemergencyalerts.com or text SCPAlerts to 888777 to sign up for e-mail, phone and text alerts directly from the St. Charles Parish Emergency Operations Center.
Sign up for community news, including emergency press releases, road closures and other important notifications, via e-mail.
Receive parish Tweets via text message by texting ‘follow stcharlesgov’ to 40404.
Never miss a Facebook update by hovering over the ‘Like’ button on the parish page and then clicking ‘Get Notifications.’

Television

SCP-TV is available on Cox Cable Channel 6, AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 and streaming at scp-tv.com.

Radio

1370 AM transmits emergency information during and after hurricanes.

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