There is still a lot of uncertainty with Tropical Storm Gordon. Currently, rainfall is the main concern for our area. The forecast is likely to change by Monday and Tuesday, but current projections show 5-7 inches of rain will fall in south Louisiana this week, according to the National Weather Service’s weather prediction center. The National Hurricane Center projects tropical storm-force winds of up to 60 mph will be possible in south Louisiana beginning Tuesday morning. We’ve put together a list of storm preparedness resources that we hope you will find helpful.
With a severe storm system is approaching, some preparation can make a large difference in your safety (and comfort) before and afterward.
Residents are urged to have an emergency plan in place and be prepared {sand bag list below}.
Storm Preparedness Resources
Resources
- Red Stick Ready
- Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness
- Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development
- Louisiana District of the USGS (River Stages)
- Louisiana State Police
- National Hurricane Center
- National Weather Service
- National Weather Service Weather Safety
- NWS Storm-Ready Sites & Communities
- Ready.gov Kids
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 a 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.
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; eye wash; a thermometer; aspirin/pain reliever; anti-diarrhea tablets; antacids; laxatives; small scissors; tweezers; petroleum jelly, pain meds are 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.
Current Baton Rouge Sandbag locations:
• BREC Alsen Park – 601 Old Rafe Meyer Road
• BREC Doyles Bayou Park – 7801 Port Hudson-Pride Road
• BREC Flannery Road Park – 801 South Flannery Road
• BREC Lovett Road Park – 13443 Lovett Road
• St. George Fire Department Headquarters – 14100 Airline Highway
Additional sandbag locations will be added tomorrow. Residents are advised to bring their own shovels to fill the sandbags.
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
Sources: American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Hurricane Center