Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness: Sandbags, Checklists, School Closures & Resources

A potential category two hurricane is expected to make landfall late Wednesday night as Tropical Storm Francine strengthens. While it’s not time to panic, it is time to prepare. Residents are urged to have an emergency plan in place. Having been through hurricanes Andrew, Katrina, Rita, Isaac, and the Great Flood of 2016, natural disasters are something we have become accustomed to preparing for. For those unsure of where to start, our handy guide will walk you through your preparations – Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness resources can also be found below.

Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness

Disclaimer: Please note that information regarding storm paths, evacuation routes, and resources is subject to change as conditions evolve. We strongly recommend checking with local authorities and official sources for the most up-to-date information on storm preparedness, closures, and evacuations. Stay tuned to trusted weather reports and emergency notifications, and be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly.

Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness Useful Links

• • Red Stick Ready
  • Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness
  • Louisiana District of the USGS (River Stages)
  • National Hurricane Center
  • National Weather Service
  • National Weather Service Weather Safety
  • Ready.gov Kids
  • Getagameplan.org
  • WAFB Channel 9
  • WBRZ Channel 2

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Baton Rouge Sandbag locations:

Residents are urged to bring their own shovels to fill the sandbags.

Stay informed! For more information, contact MOHSEP at (225) 389-2100, follow Red Stick Ready (@RedStickReady) on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter, and download the Red Stick Ready mobile application – free on Apple and Android devices by searching “Red Stick Ready”. Residents are urged to bring their own shovels to fill the sandbags. Real-time information about the locations can also be found at: http://gis.brla.gov/emergency

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Evacuations Routes

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School Closings:

List of Flood-Prone Baton Rouge Streets

Attempting to pass through the barricades once they have placed across the street is a traffic violation that will be enforced. Try to prepare for heavy rain, possible flooding, and power outages. Avoid driving if possible. Call (225) 389-2000 for non-emergency issues or 311 for high water, power outage, and downed trees in your area.

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Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide

This Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide is an excellent, comprehensive resource! From identifying the most likely risks to providing sheltering information, evacuation routes, listing supplies to identifying special needs, and more. This Guide should be YOUR Guide to personal planning and business planning.

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Top 10 Emergency Preparedness Apps

• Red Stick Ready (iOS) The East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness strives to provide critical information to the citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish to help them prepare for, respond to and recover from all emergency situations. The got to resource for Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness.
• iMapWeather Radio (iOS) this is by far my favorite app but it does cost $9.99.  You will receive critical voice and text alerts on threatening weather events. Your iPhone will “wake up” and also “follow you” with alerts wherever you go. Listen to local weather forecasts while you are on the move. Enjoy the power of an NOAA Weather Radio, with all the convenience and precision of a smartphone. Winner of MediaPost’s Appy Award in the weather category.
  

• Hurricane Tracker –(iOS) $2.99 offers detailed storm maps, Hurricane Center info, threat level maps, audio/video forecast updates, real-time feeds and push alerts.

• Hurricane — (iOS) FREE American Red Cross for both Android or iOS is a newer, totally free addition to Android’s growing hurricane-tracking stable, but it’s more than just a tracker — this app lets you “monitor conditions in your area or throughout the storm track, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out.

• FEMA Install the FEMA App, available for Apple, Android, and Blackberry mobile devices.

• StopDisaster-   $1.99 If you can’t stop the calamity, you can stop it from turning into a disaster if you are organized. The app provides a handy series of items you’ll need on hand for various emergencies – floods, earthquakes, high winds etc.

• Phone Aid –  $1.99 CPR is one of the things not covered by most basic preparedness courses (it’s standalone training) this app offers a series of slideshows that will help jog your memory if you’ve done CPR training and, if not, provides some first aid measures to do while you wait for emergency services.

• Disaster Alert – (Andriod) – Disaster Alert (by PDC) – Current global disaster info on an interactive map Disaster Alert (by PDC), Active Hazards on an interactive map and in a list as they are occurring around the globe.  Additional hazard information can be viewed and shared.

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Preparation Before the Storm:

• — Use hurricane shutters or board up windows and doors with 5/8 inch plywood.
• — Bring outside items in if they could be picked up by the wind.
• — Clear gutters of debris.
• — Reinforce the garage door.
• — Turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting in case power goes off. Use a cooler to keep from opening the doors on the freezer or refrigerator.
• — Fill a bathtub with water.
• — Get full tank of gas in one car.
• — Go over the evacuation plan with the family, and learn alternate routes to safety.
• — Learn the location of the nearest shelter or nearest pet-friendly shelter.
• — Evacuate if ordered and stick to marked evacuation routes, if possible.
• — Store important documents — passports, Social Security cards, birth certificates, deeds — in a watertight container.
• — Have a current inventory of household property.
• — Leave a note to say where you are going.
• — Unplug small appliances and electronics before you leave.
• — If possible, turn off the electricity, gas, and water for residence.

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Emergency Preparedness list:

• — A three-day supply of water, one gallon per person per day.
• — Three days of food, with suggested items including canned meats, canned or dried fruits, canned vegetables, canned juice, peanut butter, jelly, salt-free crackers, energy/protein bars, trail mix/nuts, dry cereal, cookies, or other comfort food.
• — A can opener.
• — Flashlight(s).
• — A battery-powered radio, preferably a weather radio.
• — Extra batteries.
• — A first aid kit, including latex gloves; sterile dressings; soap/cleaning agent; antibiotic ointment; burn ointment; adhesive bandages in small, medium and large sizes; eyewash; a thermometer; aspirin/pain reliever; anti-diarrhea tablets; antacids; laxatives; small scissors; tweezers; petroleum jelly, having the best inversion table for back pain is also a plus and it will help a lot with any pain emergencies.
• — A small fire extinguisher.
• — A seven-day supply of medications.
• — Vitamins.
• — A multipurpose tool, with pliers and a screwdriver.
• — Cell phones and chargers.
• — Contact information for the family.
• — A sleeping bag for each person.
• — Extra cash.
• — A silver foil emergency blanket.
• — A map of the area.
• — Baby supplies.
• — Pet supplies.
• — Wet wipes.
• — A camera (to document storm damage).
• — Insect repellent.
• — Rain gear.
• — Tools and supplies for securing your home.
• — Plastic sheeting.
• — Duct tape.
• — Dust masks.
• — An extra set of house keys.
• — An extra set of car keys.
• — An emergency ladder to evacuate the second floor.
• — Household bleach.
• — Paper cups, plates, and paper towels.
• — Activities for children.
• — Charcoal and matches, if you have a portable grill. But only use it outside.

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Recover

• Wait until an area is declared safe before returning home.
• Remember that recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process.

Sources: Redstick Ready, American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, NHC – Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness