Are you ready for Hurricane Season 2011?

It’s time to review emergency procedures at home and at work. If you have questions about local office procedures, please discuss with your supervisor or contact your local emergency coordinator or safety officer. You may also send questions to the Emergency Hotline Mailbox.

We know too well that hurricanes can cause massive property damage and loss of life. Early preparation is the key to protecting our families, pets and property. History has shown that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters.

Here are the basics…

Everyone should have a personal disaster preparedness kit. This kit should include water and non-perishable food for 3 to 7 days, blankets or sleeping bag, prescription medicines, first aid kit, personal hygiene items, flashlight, battery-powered radio, spare batteries, appropriate clothing, basic hand tools, important documents and cash. Add special items for young children, the elderly and pets.

Monitor weather forecasts and understand hurricane forecasting terminology. Know where to go if it is necessary to evacuate. Staying with family or friends is the best option since hotels fill up quickly. Fuel all vehicles if a storm threatens. Leave early and don’t travel further than necessary to reach safe shelter. Remember to plan for your pets. Designate a family member or friend outside of the disaster area to act as an emergency contact.

Have a plan for protecting your home. Use plywood or storm shutters to protect windows and doors from flying debris. If windows or doors fail, pressure increases inside the structure and the likelihood of roof failure increases. Prepare plywood or shutters before a hurricane threatens. To minimize the risk of fire, turn off LP gas and electricity prior to evacuating. Turn off water to docks and piers to prevent losing water through damaged piping. To learn more visit the NOAA Hurricane Preparedness Web Site.

The 2011 Hurricane Season runs through November 30th so…

Remember, Preparedness is the Key to Safety!

Additional resources are available on the websites listed below:

	Hurricane Preparedness
	Register for New Orleans Emergency Alerts
	City of New Orleans Emergency Management
	Jefferson Alerts
	Jefferson Parish Emergency Management
	Lafourche Parish Emergency Management
	Plaquemines Parish Emergency Management
	St. Bernard Parish Emergency Management
	St. Charles Emergency Preparedness
	St. John the Baptist Emergency Preparedness
	St. Tammany Emergency Preparedness
	Tangipahoa Emergency Preparedness
	Terrebonne Emergency Preparedness
	Washington Emergency Preparedness
	U.S. Corps of Engineers Hurricane Information
	State Emergency Preparedness Numbers
	Tropical Storm Advisories
	Hotels that accept pets
	Brazoria County Texas Emergency Operations Center
	Harris County Texas Emergency Operations Center