Hurricane Guide 2019

T H E C O U R I E R A N D D A I LY C O M E T

2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

Here’s the plan in Here’s the plan in 10 WAYS TO PREPARE: The What are the odds a Terrebonne ..............Page 8 Lafourche ..............Page 10 most important things you hurricane will hit us this need to know ........Page 16 season? ...................Page 4

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HURRICANE GUIDE

Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 3

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E

Are you ready for a storm?

4 ........................................... Here are the odds a storm will hit us

Take this quiz and find out

6 ............................... Even if your plan A is solid, create a backup

8 .................................If you live in Terrebonne, here’s what to do

9 ....................................................... Here’s the plan for Lafourche

11 .................... Why you shouldn’t trust these storm surge maps

12 ................. Evacuating: Which way you should go — and when

16 . Essential: 10 things you absolutely, positively need to know

23 ........................ Put your important stuff in a grab-and-go box

25 .......................................................................... Plan for your pets

26 ...........................................................How to cope with flooding

The LSU AgCenter has compiled a list of questions to help you and your family determine whether you are truly prepared for a storm.

“Having the right answers before a storm comes your way can help you be prepared if a hurricane strikes,” says LSU AgCenter housing specialist Claudette Reichel. “Even if you’ve been through a hurricane before, it’s easy to forget some of the preparations that can protect your property and family.”

If you answer “no” or “I don’t know” to any question, now is the time to take action.

1. Do you have a disaster survival plan?

2. Have you planned an evacuation route and destination?

3. Do you have an emergency communication plan for staying in touch or getting messages to friends and family?

4. Is your homeowners’ and flood insurance coverage up to date and sufficient to replace your home and belongings

if they are damaged or destroyed?

5. Do you have an inventory of your property and belongings?

6. Do you have copies of your policies, inventory, other important papers and valuable in a safe place — one that’s waterproof and fireproof? Have you put them on a USB drive you can take with you if you evacuate or stored them in the cloud?

7. Do you know how to turn off your electricity, gas and water?

8. Do you have a plan and supplies on hand to protect and secure your home, outdoor items, boat, pool and so forth?

9. Has your roof been inspected within the past six months?

10. Have you trimmed the trees and shrubs around your house?

11. Has your car been maintained, and are the tires, including the spare, in good condition?

12. Do you have a plan of what to do with food in your refrigerator and freezer in the event of a possible power outage?

13. Is your emergency phone list up to date and handy?

14. Do you have emergency survival supplies such as batteries, a battery operated radio, flashlights, lanterns, fuel, nonperishable food for three days, water jugs, manual can opener, medicines, traveler’s checks or cash, and so forth on hand?

15. Do you have an emergency supply kit for your car?

16. Do you have a plan of how to take care of family members with special needs, including infants, the elderly or those with disabilities?

17. Have you decided what you will do with your animals if you must evacuate?

18. Have you budgeted for the added expenses to protect your home, buy supplies, evacuate, clean up and recover?

19. Have you discussed your emergency plans, duties and rules with your family?

20. Do you know that the LSU AgCenter offers publications and other free information on disaster cleanup and recovery on its website, lsuagcenter.com?

30 ............................................ Why flood insurance is a necessity

HURRICANE 2019

32 ............Make plans for elderly and others with special needs

34 ........................ Get your smartphone ready for an emergency

CONTACT US Phone: 857-2200 EDITORIAL keith.magill@houmatoday.com ADVERTISING marian.long@houmatoday.com

35 ............................................................... Where to find sandbags

CIRCULATION lawrence.knoblock@dailycomet.com ONLINE houmatoday.com and dailycomet.com

38 ................................................ What to know about generators

The 2019 Hurricane Guide is created annually by The Courier and Daily Comet and distributed in the two newspapers. It is the official hurricane guide of Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. ©2019 GATEHOUSE MEDIA

4 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

Here are the odds a hurricane will hit us this season

By Keith Magill Executive Editor

Forecasters’ predictions for the six-month hurricane season that starts June 1 vary, though most are near the historic average.

Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology Project forecasts 13 named storms along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, including five hurricanes, two oof them Category 3 or stronger.

A typical year, based on records dating back to 1966, brings 12 tropical storms. Of those, six are hurricanes and two are Category 3 or greater, with wind speeds of 111 mph or stronger, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Astronaut Randy Bresnik took this photo of then-Tropical Storm Harvey from the International Space Station at 1:27 p.m. Aug. 28, 2017. [NASA]

Administration. About two hurricanes hit the U.S. during a typical season.

There’s a 28 percent chance a major hurricane will hit somewhere along the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle to Brownsville, Texas, the

forecasters, led by Philip J. Klotzbach and Michael M. Bell, say in their report, released in early April. The average odds over the past century are 30 percent.

Collaborative research by the Colorado State team and the GeoGraphics

Laboratory at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts uses records for the entire 20th century along with expected weather conditions to predict the chance a hurricane will hit a given state, parish or county during the coming season. Their predictions: Louisiana: The state has 27.6 percent chance of being hit by one or more hurricanes and a 10.6 percent chance of being struck by a Category 3 or or higher. The norm is 30.2 percent and 11.7 percent.

Terrebonne: There’s a 5 percent chance a hurricane will make landfall in the parish, 2.3 percent for a major one. The historic average is 5.6 percent and 2.6 percent.

Lafourche: The parish

has a 1.8 percent chance of a hurricane landfall, 0.8 percent for a major one.

The norm: 2 percent and 0.9 percent.

Accuweather, meanwhile, predicts 12-14 named storms, including five to seven hurricanes, two to four of them major.

The service predicts three or four named storms will make landfall on the U.S. East or Gulf coasts.

Colorado State and Accuweather researchers both based their forecasts, in part, on the influence of an El Niño weather pattern, which means more wind sheer that can blunt tropical storms’ strengthening.

All of the forecasts were issued in April and were expected to be revised as the season progresses.

Experts acknowledge that forecasting the number, severity or location of hurricanes before a season begins is an inexact science. Most use historical data and seasonal weather conditions to make an educated guess.

“Coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them, and they need to prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted,” Klotzbach and Bell say in their report.

Executive Editor Keith Magill can be reached at 857-2201 or keith. magill@houmatoday. com. Follow him on Twitter @CourierEditor.

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HURRICANE GUIDE

Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 5

Normal season ahead Forecasters at Colorado State University predict about an average number of named storms for the Atlantic region.

Name that storm

Likelihood that a hurricane c will hit

2019 storm names

Andrea Barry Ea stt E East Chantal Co C Coast oas astt Atla Atlantic anttic Dorian Ocean Oc cean cea Erin Fernand Gabrielle Gulf Humberto Coast C Co oaas ast st Imelda 39 % 39 39% Jerry Karen Caari Caribbean rib ibbean bbea bbe b bb bean b eaan C eean MEXICO MEX ME MEXICO E XICO XIICO X CO Lorenz z Lorenzo Melissa Meliss s Caribbean Sea a Nest o Nestor Olg Olga g Ho How ow 20 22019 201 01199 ccompares om o mpa p re pare res es Pab b Pablo Prediction: 1966-2018: Annual An Annu A Annua nnu nn nnu nuaall average, nua ave era rage age ge, 19 ge, 1966 66 -2 66 -201 01888:: Rebeka a Rebekah Name Name Na Named med d st stor storms tor o ms 12 storms Named storm ms 13 Sebastia a Sebastian Tany y Tanya Hurricanes 5 Hurricanes 6 Va a Van Major hurricanes 2 Major hurricanes 2 Wendy

e of a major Chance hurricane ne e (Category 3-5) making landfall m mak ak king k iing ng la

Sources: Colorado State University, National Hurricane Center

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6 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

Better SAFE than SORRY Even if your Plan A is solid, create a backup

By Melissa Erickson

A basic plan

Think about after the disaster

The key ways to plan ahead include: • Knowing what emergencies you may face.

• Knowing how you will stay in contact if phone service is down.

• Learn what your evacuation routes will be.

• Plan how you will connect with family and what you will do if a disaster happens while you’re away from home.

• Have an emergency kit and your checklist. Write it down.

Free Red Cross mobile apps with more than 35 customizable emergency alerts deliver information when and where you need it most, Judge said.

The app provides advice in English and Spanish on what to do before, during and after a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, flood, thunderstorm, wildfire, winter storm and other disasters. Preloaded content allows users access even without connectivity.

People can use the “Make a Plan” feature for their household so everyone knows what to do and where to go if a disaster strikes.

Evacuation tips and what emergency supplies to have are included, and users can find open Red Cross shelter locations.

Download the app for free by texting GETEMERGENCY to 90999 or visit redcross.org/apps.

When Hurricane Matthew struck the southeastern United States in 2016, hundreds were forced from their homes. Driving away from danger, many people were swept up in fast-moving flood waters, Judge said.

More than half of Hurricane Matthew’s 43 U.S. victims were the result of drownings, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Eighteen of the 23 drowning victims were in vehicles.

When faced with floodwaters, it is never safe to walk or drive into them, Judge said.

“Turn around and don’t drown,” he said.

After natural disasters the risk of death and injuries rise, so think wisely and safely, Judge said.

“Some common dangers include falling off ladders, lethal fumes from gas-powered generators placed incorrectly (such as under the eaves of a home or in the garage), electrocution from downed power lines and chain saw accidents,” he said.

“Preparedness is a mindset that we all must develop and nurture over time. The sooner we all come to grips with the reality that bad things can and do happen — and usually when we least expect it — the sooner we can take steps to do something about it,” Pontius said.

More Content Now

A

popular saying among preparedness and survival educators goes something like, “Where there’s two, there’s one. Where there’s one, there’s none,” said certified disaster relief responder Andrew Pontius.

“Basically what this means is, always have a backup in case your primary option should fail.

This goes for evacuation routes, power sources, shelter, food, water,” said Pontius, who shares tips, gear reviews and emergency preparedness checklists at bugoutbagacademy.com.

“Not only will having a Plan B provide an alternative should Plan A fail, but it also offers hope and peace of mind knowing that even if your primary choice doesn’t work out, there’s still at least one other option to try,” he said.

Even the best Plan A sometimes will not suffice, said Jim Judge, Florida-based emergency medical technician/paramedic, certified emergency manager and member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. Consider the example of the 2018 California wildfires: The deadly blazes were almost extinguished when rains finished the job, but then prompted flash flooding and mudslides, he said.

HURRICANE GUIDE

Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 7

Preparing for a hurricane Fill swimming pools a foot below their edge. Cover the filter pump and turn off the electricity. Add additional chlorine.

Anchor secure outdoor items.

Set the refrigerator on maximum cold. Do not open unless necessary.

Lower antennas.

Insert wedges in sliding patio doors.

Stay in a central room or on the downwind side of the house.

Prune dead or dying tree limbs.

Park your vehicle against the garage door and make sure you have a full tank of gas.

Secure garage and porch doors.

Bring all pets indoors.

Move furniture away from exposed windows and doors.

Fill bathtubs and sinks with water in case water supply is interrupted; turn off main water to the house.

Install storm panels or shutters over windows and openings. Tape exposed glass.

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Federal Emergency Management Agency

Turn off the main gas valve and electricity before the storm hits.

Use flashlights.

AP

8 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

If you live in Terrebonne, here’s what to do

By Dan Copp Staff Writer

Emergency preparedness officials are urging residents to prepare now for a storm rather than wait until it’s too late.

“Residents can go to the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security’s Get a Game Plan website at getagameplan. org to get help in making a family plan, business plan or even a plan for your kids,” Terrebonne Emergency Preparedness Director Earl Eues said.

“Those with smartphones can download the new GetAGamePlan app to assist with planning.”

Visit the Terrebonne Office of Emergency Preparedness’ Facebook page and follow the agency on Twitter @TOHSEP. Connect with Terrebonne 911’s Facebook page as well. Dispelling rumors during a storm is one of the most important services the agency provides, officials said.

In the event of a storm, officials will provide upto-the-minute updates and breaking information. Terrebonne Parish also will issue severeweather alerts to mobile devices. To register for those, visit tohsep.com/ terrebonnealert.

Residents can create free online profiles so firstresponders can help them in an emergency. Visit smart911.com. Name, phone number and email addresses are required to create a profile, but users can add other information like age, floor plans and a list of family members.

When dialing 911, information from the profile appears on the call-taker’s screen.

Drake Sevin, 13, pulls his grandmother, Mona Sevin, 72, to higher ground after walking about a quarter mile through Hurricane Ike’s floodwaters near Chauvin on Sept. 12, 2008.

The family decided to walk to the road after water started rising around their home. [THE COURIER AND DAILY COMET/FILE]

ABOUT EVACUATIONS A unified command including Eues, Parish President Gordy Dove, Sheriff Jerry Larpenter and the Terrebonne Parish School Board begins monitoring named storms as they enter the Gulf of Mexico. The group then decides on closures and evacuations and works with emergency officials to prepare for potential problems.

Residents should create a personal evacuation plan and remember that traffic across the state will change in the event of large-scale evacuations, Eues said. Families should decide on an evacuation route ahead of time and a place where they can meet if they become separated.

For storms weaker than a Category 2, local officials will decide whether to

open a shelter somewhere in the parish. Possible shelters include Gibson and Schriever recreation centers, Schriever Elementary, Dumas Auditorium and Evergreen Junior High.

STRONGER STORMS If Terrebonne is evacuated for a Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricane, a parishwide pickup point will be organized at H.L. Bourgeois High School at 1 Reservation Court in Gray. Residents who need transportation can either drive there or be picked up by buses throughout the major streets in the parish.

Once there, residents and their domesticated pets will be entered into the parish’s evacuation registration system and bused to the Monroe Civic Center at 401

Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway in Monroe, where they will be housed in the shelter. No prior signup is required.

If you need assistance getting to the pickup point, officials are asking you to register in advance with the Terrebonne Council on Aging at 868-8411.

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR PETS The best plan is to take your pet with you when you have to evacuate, according to Terrebonne Animal Shelter Manager Valerie Robinson.

“Remember, if it is unsafe for you to remain, it is unsafe for your pet as well,” Robinson said.

“Also, most public shelters do not allow pets.”

Before an emergency, Robinson recommends owners get a pet carrier,

vaccinate their pets yearly, provide identification for their pets and take clear colored photos of their animals. In addition, make your pet an emergency kit containing food, water, medications, important paperwork and toys.

After the disaster has passed, Robinson said residents should provide their pets with a safe environment.

“Clear an area free of debris,” she said. “Use restraint measures to limit animals to clean areas and prevent injury to your animals.

Domestic and wild animals will be confused because of the loss of their territorial markers.

They will be attracted to poorly discarded food, potentially becoming a threat to family and pets or becoming ill themselves.”

If your pet is lost or injured, listen to emergency broadcasts for an open animal hospital or shelter. Contact the Terrebonne Animal Shelter at 873-6709.

Hurricane’s force The Saf Saffir-Simpson affir-Simpson hurricane scale.

Category Ca ate tego tego g ryy 1 74-9 74 -95 mp -9 ph 74-95 mph Dama Da mage ma ge e Damage p pr primarily imar im arril ily ily tto o trees. tre rees es. es s.

Ca Category ate tego tego g ryy 2 96-110 mph 9696 -1100 m ph h Some So S ome e damage dam amag ag ge to rroofs. to ooffs o oo fs.

Cate Ca Category tego tego g ryy 3 gory 1111-1 -13 130 mph 130 mp ph 111-130 Some So S ome e sstructural truc tr ctu tura tura rall damage. dama dama da mage ge. ge e.

Cate Ca Category ttego ego gory gory ry 4 13 311-15 1555 mph mp ph 131-155 E Ex Extensive xte tensiv tens ive ve d da damage. ama mage ge. ge e.

Ca Category ate tego tego gory ryy 5 More Mo M oree tthan haan 155 h han 155 mph 15 mp ph To T Total tal building ta buil buil bu ild ding ding di g fa failures. ail ilur ures ur es. es s.

RETURNING HOME If you’re a business owner seeking to return home after the storm to assess damage and make repairs, you need to obtain an early re-entry permit from the Office of Emergency Preparedness. To register, visit parishreentry.com and select “Terrebonne.” For information, call 873-6357.

A storm that inflicts major damage can mean you may not be allowed to return for several days or even weeks, parish officials said. Reasons may include widespread lack of drinking water

Source: National Weather Service AP

or electricity or downed power lines and scattered debris on the roads that can create dangerous travel conditions.

Residents without early entry passes are usually not permitted to return to the parish until evacuation orders are lifted. The parish president has the final authority to make that determination.

Staff Writer Dan Copp can be reached at 446-7639 or at dan.copp@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanVCopp.

HURRICANE GUIDE

Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 9

Here’s what you need to know if you live in Lafourche

By Julia Arenstam Staff Writer

It’s been years since Lafourche Parish residents have had to evacuate for a storm, but with hurricane season approaching June 1, here’s what residents need to know if one comes this way.

The Lafourche Emergency Preparedness Office has the primary responsibility for public information during storms. It’s assisted by the Sheriff’s Office, the cities of Thibodaux, Lockport and Golden Meadow and their police departments, the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, Harbor Police, ambulance services, area hospitals and local fire departments.

Residents can download the Alert FM app on their smartphones for weather alerts and other emergency information.

The Sheriff’s Office has created a system through EverBridge that allows residents to sign up for alerts for any emergency the parish. All landline phones are already included in the system.

Residents can also sign up their cellphone or email address at lpso. net/news/alerts/.

Residents can also register for emergency notifications by visiting the parish website at lafourchegov.org and clicking the “Emergency Information” button at the bottom of the page.

Once on the Emergency Preparedness page, click “sign up for emergency notifications” on the right.

The parish’s social

The Sheriff ’s Office has created a system through EverBridge that allows residents to sign up for alerts for any emergency the parish.

All landline phones are already included in the system. Residents can also sign up their cellphone or email address at lpso.net/ news/alerts/.

Lacey Hebert (from left), Cheyenne Lucas and Jeremiah Lucas prepare to move into a storm shelter in Raceland as Hurricane Isaac threatens in late August 2012. [THE COURIER AND DAILY COMET/FILE]

media pages, facebook. com/lafourchegov and twitter.com/ lafourchegov, are also updated simultaneously during storms.

Residents requiring transportation assistance for evacuation to area shelters can contact emergency preparedness clerk Ann Bruno, at 532-8174 or brunoaf@ lafourchegov.org.

For hurricanes weaker than Category 3, parish officials may open shelters at any of these locations: •Central Lafourche High School 4820 La.1, Raceland.

•Thibodaux High School 1355 Tiger Drive, Thibodaux.

•Lafourche Parish Recreation Center 241 Recreation

Drive, Raceland.

Major storms may prompt parish officials to call for an evacuation.

In those cases, people without transportation will be bused to the Monroe Civic Center, 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe.

Residents with pets need to have a carrier with them to travel with them on the buses. The

pet carrier needs to be able to fit in the person’s lap or seat in the bus.

After a storm passes, the parish will decide when it’s safe for residents to return depending on the severity of damage.

Businesses can register with the parish’s re-entry system at www. parishreentry.com/ lafourche. It allows

business owners and others to undergo prescreening so a limited number of workers can return to the parish to assess damage and determine what it will take to bring their businesses or services back online.

For residents, the parish e-notifications, Everbridge and the Alert FM app are the best ways to find out when it’s safe to return, Lafourche Emergency Preparedness Manager Chis Boudreaux said.

Residents with special health needs or their caregivers are asked to call the parish’s Emergency Preparedness Office at 532-8174 as soon as possible to make arrangements to have the appropriate resources available if an evacuation is ordered.

Louisiana State Police monitor road closures. The agency can be reached at 1-800-469-4828.

For information about other ways to prepare for hurricane season, visit lafourchegov. org/prepare.

10 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

Safeguard your boat Decide before hurricane season what to do with your boat if a storm threatens.

“Even a Category 1 hurricane, with winds between 74 and 95 miles per hour and a storm surge of 4 to 5 feet above normal, can have devastating effects in a crowded harbor,” says Brian LeBlanc, an associate professor with the LSU AgCenter.

“You need to consider your situation, determine the safest place for the vessel to ride out a storm, think about the adequacy of the present mooring or dock and evaluate what type of equipment is necessary to have onboard,” he says. “Then put those decisions into play well in advance of the approaching storm.”

LeBlanc stresses protecting human life Todd (from left), John and Leroy Foret unload a generator from a boat while Evan Foret, 6, watches in Chauvin. The Forets is the most important were preparing for Hurricane Isaac in August 2012. [THE COURIER AND DAILY COMET/FILE] factor.

“Storms of the “Storms of the magnitude of Katrina or Rita can magnitude of Katrina or as large tent pegs or house protection is in place override even the best precautions. If you cannot Rita can override even trailer tie-downs, to hold where dock lines pass the best precautions,” he get your vessel out of harm’s way, secure it the best the boat in position, and through fairlead chocks you can, then get you and your family out.” says. “If you cannot get make sure the drain plug is or over the sides of the your vessel out of harm’s removed. vessel. The best chafing way, secure it the best Brian LeBlanc protection is to cover you can, then get you and associate professor with the LSU AgCenter Bigger boats lines with a rubber hose your family out.” of the same diameter Only boat owners can water in a covered area with water if the hull is If you can't remove the and then tightly wind it decide what is best for such as a garage or other strong enough to withstand vessel from the water with fabric and fasten them, but he offers these dry storage facility. the weight, as are most because of its size or with heavy tape. A vessel general suggestions: • If it is not possible fiberglass hulls. Also, other conditions, LeBlanc tied to a dock also should • The best choice, if to store your boat inside secure your boat with offers these tips: have ample fenders to possible, is to get your a shelter, remove all heavy lines to fixed objects • Keeping a boat at the provide protection to the boat out of the water. If equipment and store that from four directions, if dock may be the most hull. Dock lines should the vessel is small and can indoors. If you have it on possible, in case storm hazardous location, even be fastened to the pilings be easily transported on a a trailer, place the trailer surge hits the area. If the during moderate storms. rather than to the cleats trailer, move it to higher frame on blocks so the hull is not strong enough Many marinas have or other fastenings on ground. frame, instead of the axle to hold water, use heavy particular guidelines you the dock. As flooding • Store the boat in a and springs, will carry the lines to fixed objects must follow; learn those and storm surge raise the covered area. The best boat’s weight. The drain from four directions, if in advance. If possible, water level, dock lines solution is to store small plug should be installed available, or use multiple ensure all lines are will move up the pilings. vessels removed from the and the boat partially filled anchor tie-downs, such doubled and that chafing Do not stay on board.

• Minimize the amount of surface area exposed to wind. Whether the boat stays at the dock or mooring strain on your vessel and the dock mooring increases as more surface area is exposed to the wind.

• To minimize the impact of loose boats, remove and stow all protruding objects such as anchors. Fenders should be set on both sides of the boat.

• If you elect to stay aboard — which is not advisable — stay in touch with weather advisories and stock up on fuel, water, food, ice, clothing, portable radio, flashlights, extra batteries and prescription medications.

It might be necessary to put the engine in gear during the worst part of the storm to ease the strain on the anchor line, so stay awake at all times to prevent the boat from drifting.

• Do not attempt to take your boat offshore when a storm is approaching.

Insurance Tips from State Farm: • Make sure your insurance policy is up-to-date.

• Keep boat insurance policies, photos of your vessel from every angloe, registration, equipment inventory, contact phone numbers and other essential documents in a safe, secure location on dry land. Store copies on a USB drive or in the cloud using a service such as Google Drive or Dropbox.

HURRICANE GUIDE

Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 11

Be skeptical about storm surge maps

By Halle Parker Staff Writer

Rather than looking at national storm surge maps, Houma-Thibodaux area residents should look to local officials to understand any threat if a hurricane approaches south Louisiana.

The National Hurricane Center's maps demonstrate the coast's vulnerability should a hurricane make landfall but fail to account for most of the area's flood-protection levees. That's because none in Terrebonne or Lafourche are certified by the Army Corps of Engineers to meet standards the agency established after Hurricane Katrina.

The maps project the worst-case scenario for flooding based on a hurricane's strength and other conditions. They suggest a direct hit from Category 1 hurricane could create a surge that sends more than 3 feet of water over unprotected parts of both parishes.

As the storm's intensity increases, the prediction becomes more dire, showing the possibility for a storm surge to send more than 9 feet of water from the Gulf of Mexico.

Local officials say levees provide more protection than the maps indicate. As long as the levees hold, some areas the maps show as underwater will likely remain dry.

“As always when dealing with computer models, they're only as good as what they're based on,” said South Lafourche Levee Director Windell Curole.

“I always tell people

computer models are blunt instruments.”

He said the highest flooding he's seen in south Lafourche reached 8 feet off the ground. He said Terrebonne hasn't seen flooding over 10 feet, the height of the Morganza levees that stretch across almost all of the parish.

Curole said the area in Lafourche where the water rose to 8 feet had a levee that was 13 feet off the ground, which has since been raised to 16 feet.

North Lafourche Levee Director Dwayne Bourgeois said his office understands what the district's levees can withstand and what these maps do represent with regard to storm surge. Bourgeois said if his levees aren't overtopped by a storm surge, then they will hold the waters back.

He said its important to realize that a lot of factors determine how severely a hurricane impacts an area. The storm's size, wind direction and speed and the angle and speed of its approach all play a role.

Both Curole and Bourgeois said they have confidence in their systems but cautioned that residents should never bet their lives on the levees holding.

“You get a storm like Katrina, the worst part would basically flood anybody,” Curole said.

“You just get out.”

Staff Writer Halle Parker can be reached at hparker@houmatoday.com or 857-2204.

Follow her on Twitter, @_thehalparker.

12 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

If officials order you to evacuate, just do it

By Keith Magill Executive Editor

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Officials say their biggest concern during hurricane season are the residents who don’t listen when the parish and the state call for them to move to safety.

In fact, officials encourage residents to anticipate the call for evacuation and be ready to move immediately.

Waiting too late will clog the few roads out of Terrebonne and Lafourche. Major evacuation routes such as La. 1 or U.S. 90 may become severely congested, preventing people from getting out in time and potentially putting them in the storm’s path. And routes out of the area, including U.S. 90 both east and west, can flood and become impassable as a storm’s winds push water inland from the Gulf of Mexico.

“Plan to leave early — preferably during daytime and several hours ahead of your desired arrival time — because travel will be slow due to worsening weather and heavy traffic,” the state Office of Emergency Preparedness advises in Louisiana’s hurricane preparedness guide. “Be ready to use an alternate route to your shelter destination in case primary evacuation routes become too congested. Bring a map.”

For Houma-Thibodaux area evacuations, State Police suggest taking La. 20 north to Vacherie to I-10; taking La. 1 to I-10 or La. 70 east; or taking U.S. 90 west. In most cases, officials advise residents against heading east to New Orleans, where traffic is heaviest

Hurricane evacuation routes

ST. JAMES PARISH

70

3127

1 ASSUMPTION PARISH

20

ST. JOHN PARISH

20

Thibodaux

90

LAFOURCHE PARISH

90

182

TERREBONNE PARISH

ST. CHARLES PARISH

Raceland

20

Morgan City

310

Larose

Houma

Cut Off

315

56

Dulac

55

1

Chauvin

57

Gulf of Mexico

5 miles

Driving and floods

Traffic backs up along westbound Interstate 10 as residents of the New Orleans area evacuate due to the threat of Hurricane Gustav on Aug. 30, 2008. Officials often advise residents against heading toward New Orleans when an evacuation is ordered to avoid the massive traffic congestion. [AP/FILE]

“Plan to leave early — preferably during daytime and several hours ahead of your desired arrival time — because travel will be slow due to worsening weather and heavy traffic. Be ready to use an alternate route to your shelter destination in case primary evacuation routes become too congested. Bring a map.” state Office of Emergency Preparedness advises in Louisiana’s hurricane preparedness guide

Louisiana’s most populous metro area evacuates.

State officials advise residents to leave before contraflow, which is when traffic on Louisiana and some Mississippi interstates are ordered to only flow in

one direction, away from the storm’s path. State officials usually work with parish governments to determine a contraflow strategy depending on the hurricane’s speed, size and direction, as well as the traffic

situation at the time.

Reasons abound as to why residents might stay behind despite a mandatory order. For instance, employers might refuse to let off their employees too early, though, in many cases, residents simply

If there is any question about how deep floodwater is, avoid driving through it. Beyond that, these guidelines apply: Water level below Water level above bottom of door bottom of door • Should you drive through it? Do • Should you drive not attempt through it? Generally • Should you start your car? Do not safe attempt, especially if the interior • Should you start your is wet; water could be drawn into car? Generally safe the combustion chambers and damage the engine

Door frame level Source: AAA

remain skeptical about the storm’s severity.

Residents who choose to say during mandatory evacuation put themselves and their families at risk during a time when emergency responders might not be readily available.

Typically, a voluntary evacuation for low-lying areas is issued when it comes

CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TNS

to Category 1 or 2 hurricanes. Above that, the order becomes mandatory for the entire parish.

The last evacuation called for both parishes was in 2008 for Hurricane Gustav. Officials said most Lafourche residents heeded warnings and left. In Terrebonne, an estimated 95 percent to 97 percent evacuated.

HURRICANE GUIDE

Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 13

Food safety tips after the power goes out

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

A

fter losing power, how long does food last before it spoils and becomes dangerous to eat?

“There are best practices for food safety, but at the end of the day it is always best to err on the side of caution,” said Dan Souza, editorin-chief of Cook’s Illustrated. “If something doesn’t look or smell right, even if it has technically been held at the correct temperature, it’s best to toss it. It’s also important to remember that it’s never a good idea to taste a food in order to decide if it’s fresh or not. Use your eyes and nose.”

More of Souza’s guidelines: Dry goods The items you have in your pantry generally have a long shelf life.

“Expiration dates on those foods will still be accurate so long as they

More smart steps • Keep coolers on hand.

• Find out where you can buy by ice or dry ice locally. Both can be used either in a cooler or in the refrigerator/freezer to maintain safe temperatures when the power goes out.

• Always keep some ready-to-eat, shelf-stable foods on hand for times when cooking will not be an option.

“If something doesn’t look or smell right, even if it has technically been held at the correct temperature, it’s best to toss it. It’s also important to remember that it’s never a good idea to taste a food in order to decide if it’s fresh or not. Use your eyes and nose.”

Dan Souza editor-in-chief of Cook’s Illustrated

haven’t been affected by flood waters.

Anything that has come in contact with flood water that isn’t in a completely waterproof container should be discarded,” Souza said.

Refrigerated foods “Foods kept in the refrigerator are

much more perishable and should be approached with far more caution if the power goes out. Before a

disaster hits, make sure to have an appliance thermometer in the fridge so you can monitor the temperature after losing power,” Souza said.

Keep the refrigerator door shut as often as possible in order to keep the temperature at or below 40 degrees.

“A closed refrigerator can generally maintain that temperature for about four hours without power. Move highly perishable foods like meat, poultry and dairy to the freezer to extend their shelf life,” Souza said.

Freezer fare A full freezer can hold its temperature for about 48 hours without power.

Use an appliance thermometer to test temperature.

“If foods in the freezer still contain ice crystals and register 40 degrees or lower on a digital instant read thermometer, they are safe to consume,” Souza said.

14 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

Will Congress really reform the flood insurance program?

By Steve Hardy The Advocate (Baton Rouge)

BATON ROUGE — Roy Wright doesn’t think Congress possesses the “political will” to reform the deeply indebted federal flood insurance program in which many south Louisiana families participate.

The former head of the National Flood Insurance Program, who was on the ground in Baton Rouge during the devastating flood of 2016, returned

to Louisiana as keynote speaker at a May 20 conference of the Center for Natural Resource Economics & Policy, which was formed at LSU 20 years ago.

Congress has kept the program afloat through a series of stopgap extensions. Last month, legislators agreed to keep the program up and running through the end of September while politicians try to work out a more comprehensive

overhaul.

Wright, who is now CEO of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, said he hopes leaders will stop kicking the can down the road.

But he expressed doubts they’ll be able to reach a consensus on fundamental changes.

Wright said if he was in charge, he’d look for ways to lure more private companies into the flood insurance business.

He also said the Federal

Arkansas

79

Stop here for information State officials have established a network of sites along major highways across Louisiana that will guide evacuating motorists to shelter, food, gas and other services. This list corresponds with the numbers on the map.

1. Tourist welcome center at the reentry from Mississippi on U.S. 64 and 84. Address: 1401 Carter St. (U.S. 184), Vidalia.

2. Tourist welcome center at the reentry from Mississippi on I-10.

165

20

Monroe

6

2

167 49

65

LOUISIANA 71

Mississippi

1

Address 836 I-20 West, Tallulah.

3. Paragon Casino, for evacuees headed from the southeast area on La. 1. Address: 711 Paragon Place, Marksville.

4. Sammy’s Truck Stop, from the southeast and central areas on I-49. Address: Take I-49 to Exit 53.

3601 La. 115 West, Bunkie.

5. Med Express Office, from the southeast and central areas on U.S. 71. Address: 7525 U.S. 71, Alexandria.

6. P.E. Gym, LSU-Shreveport,

84

Alexandria

Texas

3

7 8

9

4

171

Baton Rouge

190

Lake Charles

It’s comparatively easy to guard a home against wind damage. Wright showed photos and video of a Florida neighborhood that was mostly demolished by Hurricane Michael. Amidst the debris, six houses were still standing. They weren’t mansions or bunkers or fortresses; they were built by volunteers working for Habitat for Humanity. The non-profit simply took a few extra steps to fortify the houses.

12

Intercoastal waterway

Lafayette 10 90

New Orleans

Houma

10 miles

Sources: Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness; maps4news.com/©HERE

from the southeast, southwest and central areas on U.S. 171 and I-19. Address: 1 University Place, Shreveport.

7. Pickering High School, from the southwest areas on U.S. 171. Address: 180 Lebleu Road, Leesville.

8. Tourist information center, from the southwest and central areas on U.S. 165. Address: 8904 U.S. 165, Oberlin.

9. Maddie’s Truck Plaza, 15972, La. 1, Simmesport.

Evacuation phases

MISSISSIPPI

5 TEXAS

flood insurance at a discounted rate. However, in 2015, the agency began gradually increasing premiums so participants would eventually pay the actual cost of insuring their property, based on their true risk of flooding.

By 2022, “the rates are going to start to bite,” Wright said.

If people know their risk, they can make better decisions when shopping for a house or considering upgrades, he continued.

Louisiana emergency evacuation map

ARKANSAS

Shreveport

Emergency Management Agency needs to keep trying to demonstrate to homeowners their actual risk.

“You can’t do anything about your risk if you don’t understand it,” he remarked in an interview.

Flood insurance is required on all houses with a federally-backed mortgage located in high-risk floodplains, also known as special flood hazard areas and A zones.

For years, FEMA sold

GATEHOUSE MEDIA

During the threat of a hurricane, a phased evacuation will be based on geographic location and time in which tropical storm winds are forecasted to reach the affected areas.

Phase I: 50 hours before onset of tropical-storm winds.

Includes areas south of the Intracoastal Waterway. These areas are outside any levee-protection system and are vulnerable to Category 1 and 2 storms. These areas are depicted in red on the Evacuation map. During Phase 1 there are no route restrictions.

Phase II: 40 hours before onset of tropical-storm winds.

Includes areas south of the Mississippi River which are levee protected but remain vulnerable to Category 2 or higher storms. These areas are depicted in orange on the Evacuation Map. During Phase II there are no route restrictions.

Phase III: 30 hours before onset of tropical-storm winds. Includes areas on the East bank of the Mississippi River in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area which are in the levee-protection system but remain vulnerable to a slow-moving Category 3 or any Category 4 or 5 hurricane.

These areas are depicted in brown on the Evacuation Map. During g Phase III, certain routes will be directed and the Contraflow Plan will be implemented.

Contrafl • Phased evacuation procedures are for traffic management purpose only. Consult your local Office of Emergency pu purposes Preparedness Prepare for further evacuation information.

HURRICANE GUIDE

Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 15

Don’t believe these hurricane myths

If you’re relying on taped-up windows instead of flood insurance to protect your home from a hurricane, you’ll want to learn more about these common myths.

Myth: It’s never flooded at my house before, so it won’t flood this time.

Fact: That’s such a common refrain among local flood victims for each successive hurricane that it has become a cliche. Every single home in Terrebonne and Lafourche is threatened by the wind, flood, rain or all three, more so as coastal marshes, wetlands and barrier islands that

Devin Cadiere shovels water Aug. 30, 2012, out of Bayou Florist in Galliano, which lost its roof during Hurricane Isaac. [THE COURIER AND DAILY COMET/FILE]

once buffered inland communities continue to erode. Public officials have constantly urged every home and business owner to have flood

insurance, which in many cases only costs a few hundred dollars a year compared with the tens of thousands it will cost to replace your

SHUTTERS TO MEET ANY STYLE & BUDGET CALL NOW FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

building and its contents.

Myth: Our levees will protect us.

Fact: Maybe, maybe not. None of the levees in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes are certified by the Army Corps of Engineers to protect against a direct hit from a hurricane.

Local officials say the levees, including the ring levee in south Lafourche and the Morganza levees in Terrebonne, will likely protect inland communities from flooding caused by passing storms that don't hit the area directly. Bottom line: Levee protection is better than ever, but there is no guarantee

they will hold against any specific storm.

And local officials have consistently warned that protection could falter from a direct hit.

Myth: You can’t buy flood insurance if you are in a high-flood-risk-area.

Fact: You can buy flood insurance no matter where you live if your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, as Terrebonne, Lafourche and all surrounding parishes do.

Myth: You can’t buy flood insurance immediately before or during a flood.

Fact: You can purchase flood coverage anytime.

There is a 30-day waiting period after you’ve applied and paid the premium before the policy is effective, with few exceptions.

Visit floodsmart. gov for details.

Myth: Homeowner’s insurance policies cover flooding.

Fact: Unfortunately, many homeowners do not find out until it is too late that their homeowner’s policies do not cover flood damage. Only flood insurance does.

Sources: Institute for Business and Home Safety, FEMA, Courier and Daily Comet staff reports

16 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

Mario Mendizabal paddles along Lyles Street in Houma to take food and water to his family Sept. 13, 2008, after Hurricane Ike swamped much of Terrebonne and parts of Lafourche.

[THE COURIER AND DAILY COMET/FILE]

10 Ways to Prepare How to protect your family, pets and property Preparation is crucial when it comes to hurricane season, which runs June 1 through Nov. 30.

Follow these 10 tips, and you’ll go a long way toward ensuring you and your loved ones stay safe and your property is as secure as possible.

1. Make a plan now Officials from both

parishes maintain the most important thing residents can do to ease stress during a storm is to have a plan.

Start by visiting getagameplan.org, run by the state Office of Emergency Preparedness.

Determine where you and your family will go, what you will bring, how you’ll get there and what you will do with elderly or special-needs family members as well as pets.

Keep phone numbers for hotels on hand to

check rates and book rooms in advance. Traveling to a friend or family member’s home usually is the best plan if their homes are structurally safe and outside the risk area. As a last resort, go to a designated shelter.

2. Buy flood insurance and review your homeowner’s policy You can buy a National Flood Insurance policy through most local

insurance agents.

Officials say many residents are unaware that flood insurance isn't automatically included in a homeowner’s policy.

Because there’s a 30-day waiting period before flood insurance takes effect, officials recommend buying it as soon as possible. Keep an electronic copy that can be accessed easily, either on a USB drive you can take with you if an evacuation is ordered or stored in the cloud with

a service like Dropbox or Google Drive.

Review your homeowner’s policy to ensure it offers adequate coverage against wind damage and hail. Like flood insurance, that coverage might not be included in your homeowner’s policy and may have to be purchased separately.

Other tips are to save your insurance agent’s number in your mobile phone and use a video or camera to document

everything in your house so you can use to file damage claims.

3. Prepare a disaster kit now Keep documents, keepsakes, clothing, medicine, food and a first-aid kit in an easyaccess storage area so when it’s time to pack, they’re ready to go. Keep copies of prescriptions and, if possible, have your doctor supply additional refills ahead of

HURRICANE GUIDE

Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 17

time. Also, make sure to stock up on water.

days’ worth of food and supplies and travel expenses.

Buy plywood, storm shutters, water, nonperishable food, generators and other supplies now so you won’t face long lines or empty store shelves later.

4. Leave early and stay tuned Leaving before state officials enact contraflow, routing interstate one way, away from the storm, will make it easier to find safety. Make sure you have enough fuel and other supplies for a lengthy time on the road.

Also, make sure your vehicle is in safe condition. Check your tires and spares and keep a jack in the car.

Monitor local television and radio stations to stay current on evacuation routes, traffic and storm conditions. The Courier and Daily Comet’s websites, houmatoday. com and dailycomet. com, are the best source of local news on the storm. On Facebook, check the newspapers' pages along with those of parish and state emergency preparedness offices.

5. Plan for special needs Check with elderly family members to find out their disaster plans and prepare places for them to go ahead of time. If you have a family member in a nursing home or hospital, ask now about that facility’s plans for a hurricane -- whether it plans to evacuate patients or residents, how it plans to evacuate them, where it will take them and other specific questions.

Make sure special needs family members have medicine, prescription refills, any special foods they require, health insurance

9. Prepare your home

Ike’s tides flood Grand Caillou Elementary in Dulac in mid-September 2008, just as Hurricane Rita did three years before. The school has since moved north to escape repeated flooding. [THE COURIER AND DAILY COMET/FILE]

policy information and phone numbers for local Councils on Aging, 8688401 in Terrebonne and 537-3446 in Lafourche.

6. Plan for pets Have at least five days’ worth of food, water, treats and medications for each pet. Keep up-todate medical records, including vaccinations, as well as an ID collar, pet carrier or cage, leash, a favorite toy, trash bags, food and water bowls, kitty litter and a current photo of the pet.

Plan now to keep your pet with you or board the pet in kennels or at the home of a friend or relative out of harm’s way.

For information on planning for pets, call the Terrebonne Animal Shelter at 873-6709 or the Lafourche Shelter at 446-3532.

7. Protect your valuables Keeping copies of important documents is key. Scan documents

into your computer and keep digital copies on a USB drive or backed up on online services such as Dropbox or Google Drive. Do the same with your photos.

Keep your Social Security cards, birth certificates, marriage and death records, driver’s license, cash, credit cards, bank account information, wills, insurance policies, deeds, mortgages, contracts, stocks, bonds, cameras, watches, jewelry, computer backups and photos and videos in waterproof containers or plastic bags.

prepared next season.

Estimate what you need to secure your home and valuables plus the cost of five to seven

Now is the time to survey your yard for any rotting or precarious trees, branches or shrubs and remove them.

Plan for how you will secure items in your yard, such as playhouses, so they don’t become projectiles.

Using tape on windows is not recommended.

Instead, make hurricane shutters now so you don’t waste valuable time later.

10. Plan for family communication Make sure each member of your family is clear on what the emergency plan is, then share that plan with a family member or friend out of state.

That person should become a point of contact for you and other family members to relay your locations as well as other information should you become separated.

Also, prepare for phone lines to be down.

Cellphone service can also be disrupted.

If a family member plans to evacuate on a government bus, make sure he or she carries a cellphone and a battery powered charger. Make sure you and your loved ones have shared your cell numbers.

8. Save money The costs of evacuating can pile up. Start saving now, even if it means setting aside a little at a time. Saving a dollar every day will give you $365 in one year, enough for gas and a few nights stay at a hotel.

If a storm doesn’t happen during the year, keep the savings going.

That will leave you more

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1986

L or e

2018

4512 Country Drive • Bourg, La. 985-594-5888 bourgsupermarket.com

18 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

Forecast calls for El Niño Forecasters predict a weak El Niño this season that along with cool Atlantic water is expected to hinder storms’ development.

El Niño / La Niña weather pattern comparison

farther south than normal; picks up storms the jet stream would normally miss • Wet conditions in southern U.S., drier in Pacific Northwest and Ohio Valley; reduced hurricanes in Atlantic

La Niña (“the little girl”) 1. Strong Pacific trade winds blow warm surface water westward 2. Cold water rises to the surface 3. Cooler air disrupts jet streams; northern jet stream loops into Alaska, Canada • Occurs roughly half as often as El Niño

El Niño

La Niñaa

El Niño (Spanish for “the little boy”) • Trade winds weaken, warm

waters move east • Pacific jet stream is pulled

Pacific Pac Pa aaccci cif ifi fic jet fic jjeet stream stre stre st rream eam 3

Warmer Pacific Ocean

Northern Nort No rthe rt he h ern n jjet ett sstream t ea trea tr eam am

U.S.

Pacifi P cifiiicc Pacific O Ocean n

Warm m Warm water wate wat wa te r ter A fallen tree bisects a trailer in Gray after Hurricane Gustav in early September 2008. [THE COURIER AND DAILY COMET/FILE]

1

M More Mo ore oree h hurricanes u ri urri ur rica ica cane ane nes es th han n usual ussu sual al iin n than So S out uthe the heas astt and and an Southeast Caari C ribb bb bea ea n ean Caribbean

Southern Sout S So out uthe uthe hern hern n jjet je et stream stre stre st rea eaam m

2

Co ool ol C Cool wate wat wa te r ter water

Carib Ca bbean Caribbean Sea Se ea

Atlantic O Ocean

Source: NOAA, AP

TNS

Know your storm vocabulary Tropical disturbance: An area of thunderstorms in the tropics that maintains its identity for at least 24 hours.

Tropical cyclone: a generic term used by meteorologists to describe any rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, lowlevel circulation.

Tropical depression:

An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined circulation and

maximum sustained surface winds of 38 mph or less.

Tropical storm: An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined circulation and maximum sustained surface winds of 39-73 mph.

Tropical storm watch: Tropical

storm conditions are POSSIBLE in the specified area of the watch, usually within 36 hours.

Tropical storm warning: Tropical

storm conditions are

EXPECTED in the specified area of the warning, usually within 24 hours.

Hurricane: An intense tropical system with a well-defined circulation and a maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or greater.

Hurricane season: June 1 through Nov. 30.

Hurricane watch:

Hurricane conditions are POSSIBLE in the specified area of the watch, usually within 36 hours.

Hurricane warning:

Hurricane conditions are EXPECTED in the

specified area of the warning, usually within 24 hours.

Invest: An ocean weather system forecasters have designated as important to monitor. The designation does not correspond to any particular likelihood the system will develop or strengthen.

Major hurricane:

Forecasters sometimes use this term to refer to Category 3 or hurricanes.

Small-craft advisory:

When a hurricane moves within a few hundred

miles of the coast, small-craft owners should not venture out into the open ocean.

Storm surge: Water level rise caused by hurricane winds and low pressure.

However, when surge levels are combined with the already-present tide, “storm surge” becomes “storm tide.” If storm surge hits a coastal area during its high tide, it can cause even more damage.

El Niño: A 12- to 18-month period during which unusually warm sea surface temperatures occur

in the eastern half of the equatorial Pacific.

Moderate or strong El Nino events occur irregularly, about once every three to seven years on average.

La Niña: Unusually cold ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific that often occurs between El Nino events.

Because there’s only so much energy available in the tropics, La Nina usually means more active hurricane season in the Atlantic.

Source: National Hurricane Center

HURRICANE GUIDE

TERREBONNE

Thursday, May 31, 2018 19

PA R I SH H

OHSEP

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE PUBLIC SHELTER INFORMATION Shelters are operated by trained individuals and ensure that the safety, security, and basic needs of its residents are met.

What to bring to a shelter?

• Change of clothing, blanket, and pillow for each family member.

• Your disaster supply kit, including food, medications, comfort items, and special items for infant or elderly family members.

WHAT NOT TO BRING? • There are no weapons, drugs or alcohol allowed.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS PATIENTS “THE FIRST 72 HOURS ARE ON YOU” During a storm, services may not be available, transportation may be cut off and roads may be inaccessible. In some cases, you may be forced to evacuate.

Be ready to respond to any situation by assembling and maintaining a Disaster Supply Kit with enough food, water, and other supplies for each person in your family for 72 hours. It may take up to 72 hours for relief supplies to be delivered to Terrebonne Parish.

A DISASTER SUPPLY KIT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSETS THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN HAVE PREPARED. AN EXAMPLE OF A FULLY STOCKED DISASTER SUPPLY KIT SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (AT MINIMUM, A THREE DAY SUPPLY)

Water, non-perishable food, formula, and diapers for infants, first aid kit, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, cash or travelers checks, flashlight and extra batteries, non-electric can opener, utility knife; fire extinguisher (ABC-type), shut-off wrench to turn off household gas and water, sanitation supplies, Official DOTD Highway Map, entertainment, important family documents, inventory of valuable household goods and important telephone numbers, and family records (birth, marriage, death certificates).

FOR HELP BUILDING YOUR DISASTER SUPPLY KIT, GO TO WWW.GETAGAMEPLAN.COM

For residents who have medical special needs, or will need transportation during an evacuation of Terrebonne Parish, please contact the Terrebonne Council on Aging at (985) 868-8411.

To pre-register for Disaster Food Stamp assistance, please call

1-888-LA-HELP-U (1-888-524-3578).

SEVERE WEATHER TERMS TO KNOW… Natural disasters most likely to occur in Louisiana, particularly in low-lying areas bordering the Gulf of Mexico, include hurricanes and flooding due to heavy rains. Residents should be familiar with several terms that describe severe weather conditions:

STORM SURGE An abnormal rise of the sea along a shore as the result, primarily, of the winds from a storm.

TROPICAL STORM/HURRICANE WATCH Adverse conditions are possible in the specified areas of the WATCH, usually within 48 hours. May be applied to thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, or hurricanes.

TROPICAL STORM/HURRICANE WARNING Adverse conditions are expected in the specified area of the WARNING, usually within 36 hours. May be applied to thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, or hurricanes.

PREPARING YOUR ANIMALS Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the supply kit in the trunk of your car. Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. Replace your stored food every six months.

Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.

Keep these items in a waterproof container that can be easily transported from your home to your car and your safe place. Assemble your kit now to allow for immediate action during an emergency.

Making plans for your family is extremely important. Don’t forget to plan for the animals in your life, too!

• The location of your evacuation destination may or may not accept pets, so call ahead and check. Animal shelters will be set up in various parts of the state on an “as-needed” basis. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry works year round with the Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) to provide sheltering opportunities. Species-specific disaster preparedness advice is available at www.lsart.org.

BE SURE TO PICK UP OUR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GUIDE FOR MORE DETAILS.

• Create a disaster readiness kit for your animal that includes food, water, first aid supplies, feeding supplies and other items that are necessary to keep your animal comfortable for at least 3 - 5 days.

AVAILABLE AT LOCAL BUSINESSES IN TERREBONNE PARISH.

• Remember, animal ownership is a responsibility! Be ready to take care of your whole family.

Get

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS by text and email.

Visit www.tohsep.com/terrebonnealert and click sign up to begin your registration.

Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove

Printed with funds provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

OH

MD DE

Washington D.C.

WV

Atlantic City

HURRICANE CATEGORIES

N

Ocean City

KY

VIRGINIA

UNITED STATES

Norfolk

NC Cape Hatteras Wilmington

SC MS

AL

DAMAGE

1 2 3 4 5

74-95

Very dangerous winds will produce some damage

96-110

Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage

111-129

Devastating damage will occur

130-156

Catastrophic damage will occur

156

35°

BERMUDA

Savannah Gulf Port

Baton Rouge

HOUMA Galveston

985-873-6357

Catastrophic damage will occur

Charleston

Lake Charles

OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

GEORGIA

LA

TEXAS

TERREBONNE PARISH

WIND SPEED (MPH)

Mobile Pensacola

Jacksonville

30°

Tallahassee

New Orleans

Apalachicola

50

FL

A Find the latitude of the storm (the first coordinate in the pair), and locate the horizontal line on the map that matches this latitude.

Cape Canaveral

Tampa

Corpus Christi

Palm Beach Ft. Lauderdale

H 25°

M

Nassau

A

Key West

A

Miami

300

A

Brownsville

Fort Meyers

B

200

S

400 TURKS & CAICOS IS.

500

CUBA

Merida Camaguey Campeche

YUCATAN PENINSULA

Veracruz

MEXICO

Cozumel

CAYMAN IS.

20°

Guantanamo

JAMAICA

Belize City

HAITI Port-au-Prince

Kingston

BELIZE

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Santo Domingo

Puerto Cortes

GUATEMALA

BRITISH VIRGIN IS. San Juan

ANGUILLA ST. MARTIN ST. BARTHELEMY

PUERTO RICO (U.S.) U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

ST. KITTS & NEVIS

ANTIGUA GUADELOUPE DOMINICA

HONDURAS

Cabo Gracias a Dios

MARTINIQUE

15°

ST. LUCIA

EL SALVADOR

San Andres

ARUBA

NICARAGUA

CURACAO

ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES

BARBADOS

GRENADA

100°

95°

90°

85°

COSTA RICA

TOBAGO TRINIDAD

80°

75°

70°

65°

60°

Balboa 0 0

500 mi

PANAMA

VENEZUELA

500 km

MERCATOR PROJECTION The scale is accurate along the equator.

Elsewhere on the map, scale increases toward poles.

B Find the longitude (the second coordinate in the pair, usually followed by a W or E), and locate the vertical line on the map that matches this longitude.

C Find the place on the map where the two lines intersect. This is the location of the storm eye. Draw a symbol at this spot, and note the advisory number, eye position, intensity, forecast direction of movement, the date and time next to the symbol.

Havana

Tampico

Advisories are numbers consecutively for each storm, and describe the present and forecast position and intensity of the storm. Tropical cyclone advisories are issued at six-hour intervals—at 4am, 10am, 4pm and 10pm Central Daylight Time. Bulletins provide additional information. Each message gives the name, eye position, intensity and forecast movement of the tropical cyclone. Hurricane eye positions are given by latitude (for example, 13.2 degrees North) and longitude (for example, 57.8 degrees West), to the nearest one-tenth of one degree.

TO PLOT THE LOCATION OF A STORM:

Daytona Beach

100

HOW TO TRACK A HURRICANE

COLOMBIA GUYANA

55°

BECAUSE HURRICANES CHANGE DIRECTION VERY QUICKLY, YOU SHOULD CONCENTRATE MORE ON WHERE THE STORM WILL GO THAN WHERE IT HAS BEEN.

HURRICANE WARNING CHECKLIST Freeze-dried food Ice chest, water Battery-powered radio Flashlight Batteries Fuel, first aid kit Sleeping bag Matches, candles Prescription medications

Eyeglasses Items for infants and elderly Pet food and supplies Backup of computer on external hard drive Checkbook, cash and credit cards Map of area

22

Thursday, May 31, 2018

HURRICANE GUIDE

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

PHASED EVACUATION

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

During a threat of a hurricane, a phased evacuation will be based on geographic location and time in which tropical storm winds are forecasted to reach the affected areas.

Emergency ............................................................................................................................................................ 911 Terrebonne Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.................. 985-873-6357 FEMA.................................................................................................................................................... 800-621-3362 American Red Cross .......................................................................................................................... 504-620-3105 Pre-Disaster Food Stamps Registration ......................................................................................1-888-524-3578 Road Closure Information ............................................................................................................1-800-469-4828 Louisiana Information ....................................................................................................................................... 211 Louisiana State Police Troop “C”.................................................................................................... 985-857-3680 Chabert Medical Center.................................................................................................................... 985-873-2200 Terrebonne General Medical Center.............................................................................................. 985-873-4141 Poison Control .................................................................................................................................1-800-222-1222 Terrebonne Parish Community Hotline .....................................................................................1-844-916-4737

LOCAL NUMBERS Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government........................................... 1-800-35-HOUMA/985-868-5050 Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office ................................................................................................. 985-876-2500 Houma Police Department............................................................................................................... 985-873-6371 Terrebonne Parish Council on Aging............................................................................................. 985-868-8411 Terrebonne Parish School Board..................................................................................................... 985-876-7400 Terrebonne Parish Utilities Department ....................................................................................... 985-873-6755 Terrebonne Parish Public Works..................................................................................................... 985-873-6735 Terrebonne Parish Animal Shelter ................................................................................................. 985-873-6709 SLECA ..................................................................................................................... 1-800-256-8826 / 985-876-6880 Entergy ..................................................................................................................1-800-ENTERGY/800-968-8243 ATMOS ................................................................................................................1-888-286-6700 / 1-800-692-4694 City of Thibodaux Gas............................................................................................ 985-446-5021 / 985-446-7216 South Coast Gas ................................................................................................................................. 985-872-0376

Terr. parish

IF PARISH OR STATE OFFICIALS TELL YOU TO EVACUATE

DURING A HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM WATCH OR WARNING

Leave as soon as possible.

Listen to radio/television for storm progress reports.

Make a Family Communication Plan. Tell someone outside of the storm area where you are going.

Check emergency supplies.

Board up windows and check tie-downs on your travel trailer or mobile home.

Protect your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and water.

Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings.

Turn off the main water valve and disconnect the hose.

Turn propane tanks off.

AFTER A STORM

50 Hours before onset of tropical storm winds. Includes areas south of the Intracoastal Waterway. These areas are outside any levee protection system and are vulnerable to Category 1 and 2 storms.

During Phase I, there are no route restrictions.

PHASE II

40 Hours before onset of tropical storm winds. Includes areas south of the Mississippi River which are levee protected but remain vulnerable to Category 2 or higher storms. During Phase II, there are no route restrictions.

PHASE III

30 Hours before onset of tropical storm winds. Includes areas on the East Bank of the Mississippi River in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area which are within levee protection system but remain vulnerable to a slow-moving Category 3 or any Category 4 or 5 storm. During Phase III, certain routes will be directed and the Contraflow Plan implemented.

Fuel your car.

Take emergency supplies, clothing, and blankets/sleeping bags to shelter.

Turn off the main electrical power switch.

PHASE I

Store drinking water.

Review evacuation plan.

RADIO FREQUENCY SYSTEM LOUISIANA EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

Stay tuned to local radio or television for information from your local or state officials.

- Twitter: www.twitter.com/tohsep - Facebook: Terrebonne Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness - Website: www.tpcg.org, www.tohsep.com

The following radio stations are key participants in the Louisiana Emergency Alert System. In the Event of an emergency, these stations will broadcast emergency information.

Return home only after state or local officials advise that it is safe to do so.

AM 1150 (WJBO) FM 102.5 (WFMF)

ALEXANDRIA

AM 970 (KSYL) AM 580/FM 96.9 (KZMZ) FM 93.1 (KQID)

BATON ROUGE

CROWLEY

FM 102.9 (KAJN)

HOUMA

FM 106.3 (KXOR) FM 96.7 (KCIL) AM 1490 (ESPN)

LAFAYETTE FM 99.9 (KTDY)

NOAA WEATHER RADIO (NWR)

LAKE CHARLES

AM 1470 (KLCL) FM 99.5 (KHLA)

NEW ORLEANS

AM 870 (WWL) FM 101.9 (WLMG)

NORTHEAST

AM 540 / FM 101.9 (KNOE)

RUSTON

AM 1490 (KRUS) FM 107.5 (KXKZ)

SHREVEPORT AM 1130 / FM 94.5

NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information direct from a nearby National Weather Service Office. NWR broadcasts National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazardous information 24 hours a day.

HURRICANE GUIDE

Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 23

Prepare a grab-and-go box

Here’s what to put in it numbers including family members, It’s possible to doctors, pharmacies, replace birth and financial advisers, death certificates, clergy and repair tax records, banking contractors. Keep those information, wills, in your cellphone too. medical information, • Copies of important deeds and other prescriptions such important documents as medication and should they be lost or eyeglasses. destroyed.

• A cellphone charger But it’s a lot easier to and cable. protect them instead.

• Copies of children’s The LSU AgCenter immunization records. has developed a guide to • Copies of health, building a collection of dental and prescription records and documents insurance cards and — a “grab-and-go phone numbers. box” — modeled off • Copies of auto, similar suggestions flood, renters and from other Gulf Coast homeowners insurance states. Place paper policies or at least the records in portable policy numbers. boxes that are durable, • Insurance company sealed, fireproof and telephone numbers, waterproof. Papers in including numbers the box should be sealed for local agents and in waterproof plastic company headquarters. bags. The AgCenter • Copies of realalso recommends a estate deeds, vehicle backpack, preferably titles, wills, durable waterproof, for easier power of attorney, carrying. health care directives, As a backup, put stock and bond copies of these records certificates and birth, on a USB thumb drive death, adoption, or upload them to the citizenship and cloud using a service marriage certificates. like Dropbox or Google • Copies of a home Drive. Unless you inventory. absolutely need paper • Copies of passports. copies, this can not • Copies of employee only save plenty of time benefit documents. as you evacuate but • Copies of the make your go box more first two pages of the manageable. previous year’s federal Gathering and storing and state income-tax personal records also returns. can help you recover in • Keys to any safecase of other disasters, deposit box. such as fires.

• List of numbers Your box should for Social Security, include the following: bank accounts, loans, • Traveler’s checks or credit cards, driver’s cash. licenses and investment • Rolls of quarters. accounts.

• Emergency phone • Usernames and

Volunteers pass sandbags to help secure a pump station in Chauvin on Sept. 13, 2008, hours after Hurricane Ike hit.

Water from Lake Boudreaux was rushing under the station and flooding parts of the community in southern Terrebonne Parish. [THE COURIER AND DAILY COMET/FILE]

passwords.

• Photocopies of the front and back of all credit cards.

Store the box or backpack in safe, outof-sight spot in your home. When evacuating, keep the box with you all times and avoid leaving the information in unattended vehicles.

It’s a good idea to keep originals of personal documents in the grab-and-go box with a trusted friend or relative who lives outside the hurricane zone.

Having access to personal information can help you avoid extra hassles following disasters, such as missing payments and damaging credit ratings. The records also can make filing FEMA claims easier.

Replacing most personal information is doable but can take months.

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HURRICANE GUIDE

FREEPIK.COM

24 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

Study:

Natural disasters, costs on the rise

By Melissa Erickson

damage has risen to 10 a year since 2010, up from two a year in the 1980s, according to the U.S. National Cenisaster preparation is ters for Environmental Information. something that everyone Many homeowners live under needs to be aware of, no false impressions about how much matter where they live or disasters can cost them, “the first what type of home they live in. being that disasters will strike other “Natural disasters are on the rise, people/areas. The second is that and so are the associated repair preparation for the disaster will actubills,” said Cristina Miguélez, ally cost them more,” Miguélez said. spokeswoman for Fixr.com, a home For example, if a homeowner proremodeling information website that actively reinforces a home’s founprovides cost guides, comparisons dation but no earthquake hits, he and term cheatsheets for remodelor she may believe that this was an ing, installation and repair projects. unnecessary expense, Miguélez said.

Home repairs because of natural “Many types of disaster preparadisasters are costing American home- tion you can do for your home have owners billions, according to a recent a fairly good return on investment, analysis from Fixr. The number of meaning that you are improving your severe weather-related events that home’s value even if you don’t end up cause more than $1 billion worth of needing the preparations or materials

anytime soon,” Miguélez said.

More Content Now

D

Basic prep Being able to stay in your own home is sometimes based on whether you have power and heat, so having a generator is a smart move for nearly anyone, Miguélez said.

Turn to the experts to help figure out what your disaster plan should include.

“Most weather services provide information on an areaby-area basis. You can look up your region and see what types of disasters have occurred there previously,” Miguélez said.

Because of climate change weather patterns are changing, which means that certain types of disasters may occur in areas that have never seen them before, Miguélez said.

Other tips Here are a few of her most important things to consider: • Know your insurance ahead of time and what it covers. If you live in flood-prone areas, consider opting for flood insurance.

• Install a generator; many natural disasters will leave homes without power for days or weeks.

• Consider putting important papers and belongings in a safe box that can withstand floods, fires or other damage.

• Consider your area and what types of disasters are the most likely. While you can’t be prepared for everything, you can be prepared for the things that are more likely to happen. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, consider hurricane shutters. if you live in an earthquake-prone area, consider retrofitting your foundation.

HURRICANE GUIDE

Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 25

Plan for your pets Start here

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

If your pet is part of the family it should also be part of your family’s emergency plans.

“The best — and most difficult — way to handle an emergency is to stay calm,” said Caitlin Ultimo, resident pet expert at Chewy. com. “And the best way to ensure you remain somewhat composed during an emergency is to always be prepared.

Take the time you have now to equip yourself with the necessities your family and your pet will need if the electricity is out for a prolonged period of time. Further prepare anything you may need to take with you if you are forced to evacuate.”

“Pets are perceptive to our emotions so calm helps them, too,” said Denise Fleck, also known as the Pet Safety Crusader. “Secondly, get cats in carriers and confine dogs to one room of the house the moment you hear warnings. Once chaos hits, it will be much harder to do so,” said Fleck, author of “The Pet Safety Bible.”

Depending on the type of emergency, you may need to go to a room without windows or leave home with pets and necessary supplies.

“This is where drills are vital. Your dog or cat won’t read the manual, so you must show them what is expected,” Fleck said. “Acclimate

Sgt. Ross Mire of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department feeds a dog that was tied to a truck bed in Bobtown after Hurricane Ike on Sept. 13, 2008.

now, before you need to know,” Fleck said.

If Terrebonne and Lafourche open local “Pets are perceptive to our emotions so calm helps them, too. Secondly, get cats in carriers and confine shelters for residents, dogs to one room of the house the moment you hear both parishes will make arrangements warnings. Once chaos hits, it will be much harder for handling as many to do so.” pets as possible either at local animal shelters Denise Fleck, author of “The Pet Safety Bible” or at designated spots that will care for dogs and cats.

Both parishes also have arrangements them ahead of time to to safety with you.” to care for the pets crates and carriers, If an evacuation is of anyone who doggie seat belts and ordered, and you're evacuates to shelters going down stairs, traveling to a hotel, in Monroe during elevators or riding in make sure it takes pets. a major hurricane. the car — whatever “Like everything (Details, Pages 8-10) means will get them else, ask questions Ask your vet for a

10- to 14-day supply of any medications your pet takes so you will have what you need should you evacuate or hunker down at home during an emergency, Fleck said.

“In the event that a disaster occurs while you are out of town, be aware of your professional pet sitter’s disaster plan, and make sure he or she knows your emergency contact who will be able to take your pet if an evacuation occurs,” said Beth StultzHairston, Pet Sitters International’s vice

Experts suggest you have these items for your pet ready to go in case a hurricane threatens: • Properly fitting collar, harness, leash and muzzle.

• Crate or carrier, stakes and a tie-out.

• Extra identification tags.

• Food.

• Water.

• Medications.

• Bowl, spoon and can opener.

• Grooming supplies.

• Clean-up supplies, disposable litter pan, litter and scoop.

• Blankets, bedding and toys (shirts that smell like you can help calm them).

• Pet medical records, including proof of vaccinations.

• Disinfectant, paper towels and soap.

• Plastic bags, zip ties, duct tape.

• Pet first-aid kit.

• Pictures of you pet that can help people find it if you get separated.

• Contact information for veterinarian.

president of marketing and operations. “Also be sure your pet’s crate, along with disaster preparedness kit, is in an easy-to-access location in case your pet sitter needs to assist with the evacuation.”

Never leave your pet behind.

“Pets are part of the family. Would you leave your elderly mom or child? If it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for a pet,” Fleck said.

26 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

Storm surges’ power A strong hurricane typically causes a flood of sea water as it hits land, a dangerous event called a storm surge.

How a storm surge forms 1. Low air pressure around eye lifts a dome ome of water as much as 15 feet high and 50 miles long 2. Dome of water washes ashore where Dome Dome Do e of of 3 hurricane’s ssea se eeaa water wat w wa ate te r 2 eye makes Rotation R Rot Ro Rotatio ota tati tion tio landfall Stor St orrm’s Storm’s 3. Worst is movve mo vementt veme movement Eye E Eyye on right side of storm, where re rotation makes s winds strongest st 1

Driven by wind, waves can rise 10 feet above surge

Storm surge g Normal sea level Millie Crochet, 37, gets help from her fiance, Willie Coleman, 37, as they evacuate their flooded Senator Circle apartment in Houma on Sept. 13, 2008. Hurricane Ike had swamped hundreds of homes in Terrebonne Parish. The couple, who left the day before, came back to check on their home. Ashland resident Khiry Howard (far left), 13, leans over to help. [THE

Sources: U.S. National Hurricane Center; Florida Division of Emergency Management

KRT

COURIER AND DAILY COMET/FILE]

How to cope with flooding The Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness offers these tips to keep you safe before, during and after the flood.

BEFORE THE FLOOD

• Keep a battery-powered radio tuned to a local station, and follow emergency instructions.

• If the waters start to rise inside your house before you have evacuated, retreat to the second floor, the attic and, if necessary, the roof. Take dry clothing, a flashlight and a portable radio with you. Then, wait for help. Don’t try to swim to safety; wait for rescuers to come to you.

• Turn off all utilities at

the main power switch and close the main gas valve if evacuation appears necessary.

• Move valuables, such as papers, furs, jewelry, and clothing, to upper floors or higher elevations.

• Fill bathtubs, sinks and plastic soda bottles with clean water. Sanitize the sinks and tubs first by using bleach.

Rinse, then fill with clean water.

• Bring outdoor possessions, such as lawn furniture, grills and trash cans, inside or tie them down securely.

and go another way. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else.

• Do not walk through flooded areas. As little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.

• Stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires. Electrocution is another major source of deaths in floods. Electric current passes easily through water.

• Look out for animals and insects, especially snakes and ants.

AFTER THE FLOOD

ONCE THE FLOOD ARRIVES

• Do not drive through a flooded area. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around

• If your home, apartment or business has suffered damage, call the insurance company or agent who handles your flood

insurance policy right away to file a claim.

• Before entering a building, check for structural damage. Don’t go in if there is any chance of the building collapsing.

• Upon entering, do not use matches, cigarette lighters or any other open flames, since gas may be trapped inside.

Instead, use a flashlight to light your way.

• Keep power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety.

• Floodwaters pick up sewage and chemicals from roads, farms and job sites. If your home has been flooded, protect your family’s health by cleaning up your house right

away. Throw out foods and medicines that may have come into contact with floodwaters.

• Until local authorities proclaim your water supply safe, boil water for drinking and food preparation for five minutes before using.

• Be careful walking around.

After a flood, steps and floors are often slippery with mud and covered with debris, including nails and broken glass.

• Take steps to reduce your risk of future floods. Make sure to follow local building codes and ordinances when rebuilding, and use floodresistant materials and techniques to protect yourself and your property from future flood damage.

HURRICANE GUIDE

Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 27

Flooding dama damage Home fflood Home lood damage damage

Respiratory health R espiratory h ealth risks risks Shelters

Mold Mold Mo d

Ruined Ruined Ruin Ru d carpets car arpe p ts pe

Structural Struct Stru St ctur turrall rrot ott

Warp Wa W Warping arping rp pin ing g sh shea sheaths heath ths hs

Exposure to communal settings can raise risk of: • Pneumonia • Flu

Home • Exposure to sewage

Naill popping pop ppi ping ping g Nail

FFloor Fl oorr buckling oo buck bu ckl kliling ling g

and chemicals in water and mold can cause: • Allergies • Asthma • Bacterial/viral infections

Infrastructure damage Infrastructure d amage Mental health Mental h ealth

Bridges

Roads

Scour — Water erodes base of structure, causing instability

Erosion — Water rushes over roadway, eating away at soil at pavement’s edge

Potholes Seepage — Water seeps through crack, saturating soil and creating pockets that collapse

Local population population ulation a nd economy economy Local and Wher Wh Where her ere e will willl they wi they heey go h go??

Closed Closed Clos Cl db businesses usiin us ines ines esse sess se

Home Homee construction Ho con ons o nst sstru str trruct ctio tio ion ion

Symtoms include: • Sleep problems • Depression • Anxiety • Fear • Appetite problems • Extreme avoidance of

event reminders • Mood changes —

crying easily, sadness, irritability, anger

ASSOCIATED PRESS

28 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

Storms pose multiple dangers

All tropical storms and hurricanes pose a variety of hazards; knowing them can help you avoid or minimize damage.

Storm surge and large waves produced by hurricanes pose the greatest threat to life and property along the coast.

Storm surge is an abnormal rise of water generated by a storm's winds. Storm surge can reach heights well over 20 feet and can span hundreds of miles of coastline.

Storm tide is the water level rise during a storm due to the combination of storm surge and the astronomical tide.

The destructive power of storm surge and large battering waves can result in loss of life, buildings destroyed, beach and wetlands erosion and road and bridge damage along the coast. Storm surge can travel several miles inland. In local estuaries and bayous, saltwater intrusion endangers public health and the environment.

HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING

Tropical storms often produce widespread rain in excess of 6 inches, which may result in deadly and destructive floods. Flooding is the major threat from tropical cyclones for people living inland.

Flash flooding, defined as a rapid rise in water levels, can occur quickly due to intense rainfall.

Longer term flooding on rivers and streams can persist for several

An aerial photo taken Oct. 11 shows homes washed were away by Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Fla. Michael made landfall near the community the day before as a Category 4 hurricane with 155 mph winds and a storm surge of 9 feet. [AP PHOTO/CHRIS O’MEARA]

days after the storm.

When approaching water on a roadway, always remember, “turn around; don't drown.”

Rainfall amounts are not directly related to the strength but rather to the speed and size of a storm, as well as the area’s geography.

Slower-moving and larger storms produce more rain.

HIGH WINDS

Tropical-stormforce winds are strong enough to be dangerous. That’s one reason local emergency managers plan on having

evacuations complete and their personnel sheltered before the onset of tropical storm-force winds, not hurricane-force winds.

Hurricane-force winds, 74 mph or more, can destroy buildings and mobile homes.

Debris, such as signs, roofing material, siding and small items left outside become flying missiles.

Winds can stay above hurricane strength well inland. In 2004, Hurricane Charley made landfall at Punta Gorda, on the southwest Florida coast, and produced

major damage well inland across central Florida with gusts of more than 100 mph.

RIP CURRENTS

The strong winds of a tropical cyclone can cause dangerous waves that pose a significant hazard to mariners and coastal residents and visitors.

When the waves break along the coast, they can produce deadly rip currents — even at large distances from the storm.

Rip currents are channeled currents of water flowing away from shore, usually extending

past the line of breaking waves, that can pull even the strongest swimmers away from shore.

In 2008, despite the fact that Hurricane Bertha was more than a 1,000 miles offshore, the storm resulted in rip currents that killed three people along the New Jersey coast and required 1,500 lifeguard rescues in Ocean City, Md., over a one-week period.

In 2009, all six deaths in the U.S. directly attributable to tropical cyclones occurred as the result of drowning from large waves or strong rip currents.

TORNADOES

Hurricanes and tropical storms can also produce tornadoes. These tornadoes most often occur in thunderstorms embedded in rain bands well away from the center of the hurricane; however, they can also occur near the eyewall.

Usually, tornadoes produced by tropical cyclones are relatively weak and short-lived, but they still pose a significant threat.

Source: National Hurricane Center

HURRICANE GUIDE

Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 29

Strengthening your house

Hurricane straps Hurricane straps are designed to hold the roof to the wall.

Made from galvanized steel, each strap is wrapped around a truss and nailed in place.

Securing key components of the structure can reduce your house's vulnerability to hurricanes.

A good time to retrofit your house is when you are making other improvements. While you can make some of them yourself, other projects may require a building contractor one with an engineering background. background or someone

Wind pressure

Hurricane straps used with a concrete block house Installing straps requires removing sheathing around the perimeter of the roof to reveal the top of the wall, or you may y also remove the soffit to gain access.

Trus Tr Truss uss u ss

Hurricane Hurr Hu rric rr i an ic ane e winds wind wind wi nds ds can can cause ca caus ca use e uplift upl plli lif iifft ft fforces orrce o es that house, th hatt can can take tak ake ke the th he roof ro ooff off off ff your you ourr ho h hous ous use e, e, especially espe espe es p ci cial ally al ly y if if wind wind wi nd gets get ets ts inside. in nsi side de. de e.

Wind p pressure

The roof

Strap Stra St ra ap

Buildings with gabled roofs need to be braced against the force of the wind generated by a hurricane.

A gabled roof should be braced using 2x4s in an "X" pattern from the top center of the gable to the bottom center brace of the fourth truss, and from the bottom center of the gable to the top center brace of the fourth truss.

Hurricane straps used with a wood-frame house The wrapped around The hurricane strap is wrapp the the truss and nailed to the wall w stud.

T us Tr Truss uss u ss

Concrete-block house e 2 x 4 braces bra race cess ce

Attic A Atti At tti ttic ic ic floor floo ffl loo oor o or

Truss bracing consists of 2x4s that run the length of the roof.

These braces should be installed 18 inches from the ridge, in the center span, and at the base, with 8 to 10 feet between the braces.

ty, FEMA Sources: Institute for Business and Home Safety,

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Trusses Trus Tr T rus russes usse sess se

2x4 horizontal hori ho rizo izo zon on ntal nt tal al braces b ra bra br aces ac es es

Attic Atttic At Atti ttic ti iic c ffloor flo floo fllo oor

Strap Stra Stra St rap p

Wood-frame house Wa W Wall alll sttuds uds ud ds studs st

Wall to foundation Exterior walls should foundation. uld be anchored to the foun Metal clips are available building il bl att b ildi suppy stores. t Drill holes through the existing sill plate into the concrete foundation to install anchor bolts.

GATEHOUSE MEDIA

30 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

Why flood insurance is a necessity

Most residents should buy flood insurance because it protects their largest investment, their home and its contents, which could otherwise be lost to a hurricane’s flooding and strong winds, officials say.

Four of every five homes in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes are at risk of being damaged by hurricane storm surges, according to the latest annual report by the global property research company CoreLogic, released last summer.

A total of 71,673 local homes are at risk of flooding from hurricane storm surges.

Combined, the homes would cost an estimated $14.5 billion to rebuild.

Local homes at risk are also more than double the number covered by flood insurance. As of Sept. 31, FEMA statistics show, the National Flood Insurance Program covered nearly 29,000 local homes with a combined value of roughly $8 billion.

Based on the data, if a major storm surge hit, tens of thousands of residents without flood insurance could face having to come up with money to rebuild homes that CoreLogic’s report indicate are at high risk.

The National Flood Insurance Program is the only place you can get flood insurance, and it takes effect 30 days after you buy a policy.

In 2017, the average flood insurance policy cost $642 in Terrebonne, $678 in Lafourche, according to FEMA data. The

Strongest US hurricanes at landfall

Fewer with flood coverage Across the U.S., about half a million fewer homeowners are carrying flood insurance in 2017 than did so in 2012, a decline of about 10 percent.

Strongest continental U.S. hurricanes

Flood insurance policy changes since 2012 -100

-30

-15

0

30

2000%

The lower a central pressure of a hurricane, the stronger the storm. By central pressure, Michael’s 919 mb last year was the third strongest hurricane to hit the continental United States.

By wind speed, Michael’s 155 mph was fourth.

By lowest central pressure, in millibars Labor day 1935 Camille 1969 Michael 2018 Andrew 1992 Indianola 1886

No data

892 mb 900 919 922 925 By highest wind speed, in miles per hours

Source: National Flood Insurance Program

median home’s value, meanwhile, was just under $140,000 in both parishes.

But changes as early as this year could make it more expensive.

Historically, FEMA has allowed homeowners to keep flood insurance costs tied to the prescribed elevation in use when the home was built, even though updated maps may reflect greater risk. Congress has long debated whether to scrap this so-called “grandfathering” of rates.

Terrebonne and Lafourche’s maps have been tied up in appeals for years, but some parish officials say FEMA could release

new ones sometime this year. And they are likely to show an increased flood risk since the last maps were approved in the mid-1980s.

Meanwhile, Congress is considering an overhaul of the entire flood insurance program. President Donald Trump, and many in Congress, are seeking to align insurance costs closer to the actual risk, which could also mean higher prices in floodprone communities like Terrrebonne and Lafourche.

The National Flood Insurance Program is more than $25 billion in debt, and critics are pushing to end

AP

taxpayer subsidies they say keep policies’ costs artificially low and encourage people to build and live in harm’s way.

But local officials and others counter that would make insurance unaffordable for almost everyone in places like coastal Louisiana, wrecking lives and decimating economies.

To buy flood insurance, visit or call your homeowner’s insurance agent. You can learn more at the program’s’ website, floodsmart.com, which includes a calculator to estimate your cost.

The Courier and Daily Comet

Labor day 1935 Camille 1969 Andrew 1992 Michael 2018 Last Island 1856 Indianola 1886 Florida Keys 1919 Freeport 1932 Charley 2004

184 mph 173 167 155 150 150 150 150 150

Source: NOAA

Historically, FEMA has allowed homeowners to keep flood insurance costs tied to the prescribed elevation in use when the home was built, even though updated maps may reflect greater risk. Congress has long debated whether to scrap this so-called “grandfathering” of rates.

AP

HURRICANE GUIDE

Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 31

KEEPING YOUR PET PROTECTED

• Don’t leave pets behind…If it isn’t safe for you to be at home in a natural disaster, it isn’t safe for your pets • Know where you can go with your pets…If you aren’t lucky enough to have a friend or relative who will take you in, it’s crucial to figure out ahead of time somewhere else you can go with pets.

• Prepare what you will bring…Gather all the supplies you’ll need for your pet and yourself, for that matter. Well before the storm hits • Enough pet food for five to seven days in a sealed container • At least seven days’ worth of bottled water for each person and pet • Photocopies and/or a USB flash drive of medical records and a waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires • Recent photos of your pets (in case you are separated and need to make “Lost” posters) • Pet-safe cleaning supplies, including disinfectant, garbage bags, wee-wee pads and paper towels • Food and water bowls • Comfort items, including a blanket and toys • A portable litter box for cats or rabbits would also be a good addition.

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32 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

Nothing TO chance Make a plan specifically for older loved ones

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

T

he elderly often suffer the most during disasters, and their care requires more attention to detail and planning in case of emergencies.

In 2018’s California Camp Fire many of the missing and dead were elderly, said Dr. Andrew Duxbury, a geriatrician at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In California’s 2017 Tubbs Fire, almost two dozen seniors were abandoned at two assisted care facilities and most likely would have perished if their families had not rushed in to help the emergency responders who stayed to help evacuate them, according to the California Department of Social Services. The facilities reached a settlement in 2018 to have their licenses revoked for two years but operate on probationary terms.

During Hurricane Katrina, the elderly made up only 15 percent of the population in New Orleans yet accounted for more than 70 percent of the people who died as a result of the hurricane, according to Grantmakers in Aging, which aids nonprofits that fund programs for older adults.

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Health, shelter concerns Elderly people cannot react as quickly.

“When an evacuation order of ‘drop everything and run’ is announced, elderly people are more likely have challenges with their physiology and cognitive ability,” Duxbury said. “It takes longer for them to get started, and they can’t move as fast. They require extra assistance to get out of an unsafe area.”

In addition to the difficulty of simply evacuating a home or care facility, the elderly are a special-needs community more susceptible to health risks posed by disasters, Duxbury said. They are more frail and often have serious, chronic health conditions. People with diabetes, respiratory

conditions or other health concerns suffer because they may not have access to their medications or essential medical equipment, Duxbury said.

“If power goes out for a period of time, older bodies don’t react and deal with the changes as well as younger ones,” Duxbury said.

If evacuated, elderly people often have to leave behind wheelchairs, walkers or other support systems, and shelters are not set up to meet their needs.

“It’s good to get out of harm’s way and one step away from immediate danger, but shelters can’t handle people with special needs. You have to have a plan in place,” Duxbury said.

Create a plan For people concerned about older folks living independently, especially those who live far away, set up a disaster plan and discuss it together in advance.

“Who will help mom or dad and get them out of there? Which friends or neighbors will you turn to for help?” Duxbury said. Once they’re out, where will they go?

Think about what safety equipment they will need, including medications.

“Make a checklist,” Duxbury said.

Think about their specific needs.

Do they use medical equipment that needs power such as a nebulizer, hospital bed or oxygen?

Respond to alerts quickly. Some disasters such as hurricanes come with advance warning. When you hear there may be an evacuation, respond right away, Duxbury said. Other disasters such as fires, tornadoes and earthquakes are harder to predict, and there will be less time to react.

“That’s more reason to have a good plan in place,” Duxbury said.

Families with elderly living in care facilities should check with staff about what procedures and safeguards are in place, Duxbury said.

That should be something considered before choosing a nursing home.

HURRICANE GUIDE

Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 33

Where to find sandbags and how to use them

Using sandbags is one of the most inexpensive and effective ways to prepare against flooding.

Terrebonne and Lafourche parish governments make sandbags available to residents before storms hit. You may have to fill your own sandbags; bring a shovel.

Below are the locations that usually offer sandbags. Additional temporary locations may be added as needed.

Not all locations will have sandbags for every storm, so check with The Courier and Daily Comet if a storm approaches for up-todate information.

TERREBONNE

• Bobtown Fire Station, 4717 Grand Caillou Road.

• Mechanicville Gym, 2814 Senator St., Houma.

• Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., Houma.

• Upper Dularge Fire Station, 1767 Bayou Dularge Road.

• Bayou Black Fire Station, 2820 Savanne Road.

• Houma Airbase Adult Softball Complex, 9544 East Main St. • Pointe-aux-Chenes Knights of Columbus Hall, 1558 La. 655.

• St. Ann Catholic Church, 4355 La. 24, Bourg.

• Ward 7 Citizens’ Club, 5006 La. 56, Chauvin.

• Cannata’s supermarket, 6307 W. Park Ave., Houma.

Susan Buress and Eric Pinell load sandbags in Houma in preparation for Hurricane Isaac in August 2012. [THE COURIER AND DAILY COMET/FILE]

• Devon Keller Memorial Center, 5575 Bayou Black Road, Gibson.

• Gibson East Fire Station, 5218 N. Bayou Black Road.

• West Terrebonne Fire Station, 110 Merry Moss St., Gibson.

• Montegut Fire Station, 1105 La. 55, Montegut.

• Village East Fire Station, 100 Development St., Houma.

• Donner Community Center, 361 Azalea Drive, Donner.

• Public Works North Campus, 206 Government St., Gray.

LAFOURCHE

• Thibodaux Field Office, 2565 Veterans Blvd.

• Choctaw Field Office, 122 Choctaw Barn Road.

• Raceland Field Office, 129 Texas St. • Lockport Field Office, 6236 La. 308.

• Bayou Blue Field Office, 104 Myrtle Place.

• Galliano-Cut Off Field Office, 128 W. 97th St.

HOW TO FILL A SANDBAG

The Terrebonne

Readiness and Assistance Coalition, a nonprofit comprised of groups in Terrebonne and Lafourche, suggests: • It’s a two-person job, one to hold the bag open and one to fill.

• Sand is abrasive; wear gloves.

• It isn’t necessary to tie the end of the bag.

• Remove any debris from the area there the bags are to be placed.

• Lift the sandbags from their neck, place the half-filled bags length-ways across the doorway and parallel to the direction of the water flow. Tuck the open end under the filled half of the bag and position it pointing into the water flow. Ensure it is bedded in against the door frame.

• Place bags in layers.

Like a brick wall, make sure in the next layer, each bag overlaps the one below by half.

• Stamp bags firmly into place to eliminate gaps and create a tight seal.

The Courier and Daily Comet

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Reliable information is key to protecting your family and property before, during and after a disaster.

Research-based information can help you prepare for and recover from the problems created by storms, floods or other catastrophic events. The LSU AgCenter offers a series of guides, fact sheets, workshops and other useful information available online or by contacting your parish LSU AgCenter Extension Service office.

Call or visit your parish LSU AgCenter Ext Extension Service office for a free Storm Re Recovery Guide and other disaster inf information publications.

A Assumption ................ 985-369-6386 J Jefferson .................... 504-736-6519 L Lafourche .................. 985-446-1316 O Orleans ...................... 504-658-2900 Plaquemines .............. 504-934-6975 P SSt. Charles .................. 985-785-4473 St. James .................... 225-562-2320 St. John ...................... 985-497-3261 St. Martin.................... 337-332-2181 St. Mary ...................... 337-828-4100 Terrebonne ................ 985-873-6495

For the latest research-based information on just about anything, visit our website:

LSUAgCenter.com/DisasterInfo HOUCOUHurr2019

34 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

Get your smartphone ready for an emergency

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

When disaster strikes, emergency kits and evacuation plans are essential, but people also need to be able to communicate.

Your cellphone will be key to staying connected in an emergency, said Marcella Wilson, a professor of information systems and computer science at the University of Maryland.

“When things happen people will go with what they know. They will reach for their phones. It’s important to be able to connect, to be able to check in and make sure everyone is OK,” Wilson said.

The question is, will you be able to get service?

“Call volume can be a tricky thing,” but communication networks are getting better at weathering major storms, Wilson said.

Get charged: Because high winds and other bad weather can knock out cellphone towers, be sure your phone is charged and protected from the elements.

Buy an extra battery and keep that fully charged, too.

Get a landline: Invest in an inexpensive (about $10) phone that jacks directly into the wall. Since they don’t need a base or a charger, the phone will still work if the electricity goes out, Wilson said.

Text instead of calling: “Most people will think to make a call and try to talk to someone, but texting is better because it uses less bandwidth and is more likely to get through,” Wilson said. A call may fail and a text message may get stuck in a network jam, but a text will more likely eventually get through.

Have an extra: In case something happens to your phone, Consumer Reports recommends having a prepaid cellphone in addition to your personal mobile device. An emergency radio is also helpful to keep track

“Most people will think to make a call and try to talk to someone, but texting is better because it uses less bandwidth and is more likely to get through.”

Marcella Wilson professor of information systems and computer science at the University of Maryland

of weather alerts. A portable battery charger or booster or a battery with a hand crank are also great backup power solutions.

Turn to social media: Check in with friends and family through social media. “Let people know you’re OK by connecting on Facebook or Twitter. Use it to share your whereabouts, immediate needs or to look up where local shelters are. Create a family page (or Facebook group) just for this purpose,” Wilson said.

Use Wi-Fi: If you’ve got Wi-Fi but not cellular service, you can use apps like Facebook Messenger, Google Duo, Viber and Fring to make phone calls, but you’ll need to set up some of these services beforehand. Skype is an inexpensive way to call.

Apps for emergencies: GroupMe is a free app that lets up to 25 people text, talk and share locations. The Silent Beacon is personal emergency alert system for both wearable and wireless that connects to an app. The American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency both have apps for iPhone and Android devices with real-time information and alerts before, during and after emergencies.

Questions to ask carriers: Ask your carrier if its website allows customers to view maps that show where signal strength is high or low, if it will bring in portable cellphone towers to areas where bad weather is predicted, and if it has an emergency plan online.

Hurricane: American Red Cross is an iPhone app that 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.

[RED CROSS]

HURRICANE GUIDE

Don’t be a

VICTIM Get in the mindset of disaster preparedness

By Melissa Erickson

that environmental change has made storms such as Hurricane Florence bigger, wetter and slower, she said. hen disaster strikes, how “Climate-induced hurricanes are a person fares largely a different animal,” Gazley said. depends on how well he Disaster resilience also means or she has prepared for accepting responsibility for your own it, said Beth Gazley, a professor in preparedness and not counting on the Indiana University School of FEMA, the Red Cross or other voluntary Public and Environmental Affairs. organizations to come to your rescue.

A human’s response to disas“People have transferred the ter is complicated. responsibility for their safety onto “It’s about the way the human mind these organizations. Part of the probworks, the way people think about risk. lem is that emergency responders To understand why we buy life insurance should be more clear about what they or a bike helmet, you have to understand can and cannot do,” Gazley said. what the risk is and be motivated enough Ask emergency responders what they to take action,” said Gazley, who is also want from the public and the answer affiliated with the Indiana University will be: Make a plan and assemble Environmental Resilience Institute. an emergency kit, Gazley said.

“Emergency responders can ‘First help yourself’ help you best if you first help yourself by planning ahead in “There is an awful lot a person can advance of a storm,” she said. do” to avoid being a victim in a disasPut together an emergency kit. ter scenario, Gazley said. No. 1 is Take photos of important documents understanding what risks you face and More Content Now

W

Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 35

like your passport and post them to the cloud. Make an emergency contact plan and be realistic about it.

“It’s not realistic to say ‘we’ll all meet on the corner and if you’re not there we’ll phone each other.’ The corner may not be there. Phones may not be working,” Gazley said.

When disaster hits, having a plan B is necessary but sometimes also a plan C or D, said Gazley, who gave California’s deadly 2018 Camp Fire as an example. Money had been allocated to create a second evacuation route out of the town of Paradise, and because the main road was blocked the second route saved lives, Gazley said.

Communicate, practice plans Whatever your plans are, make sure the whole family knows about them.

“Have a conversation. If you had one hour advance notice to save your life and the lives of your family, what would you do? Make it a real, salient conversation. Talk it through,” Gazley said.

After you have a plan, practice putting it in place. Gazley lives close to the New Madrid Fault Line area in the central U.S., which has produced some of the largest earthquakes recorded in the United States, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Not only does she have earthquake insurance, something she believes many neighbors probably don’t have, her family prepares each year by taking part in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drills (shakeout.org).

The first time her family participated they took refuge in the basement because they were more familiar with tornadoes.

“The first time we did it, we did it wrong. That’s why you practice,” Gazley said.

In an earthquake the best chance to reduce injuries is to: Drop to your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck with one arm and hand, bending over to protect vital organs. If you can shelter under a desk or table, hold on with one hand and be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts.

36 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

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Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019 | 37

38 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

HURRICANE GUIDE

What to know about

GENERATORS

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

H

ow long does it take for a power outage to move from an inconvenience to an emergency? Pretty quickly for most families and business owners.

“When your livelihood is tied to being connected, you need a plan for how to stay up and running when power, telephones and internet disappears,” said Michael Motylinski, senior pastor at Wanderlust Bay Ministries of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

When hurricanes Irma and Maria “crushed” the island and knocked out power in 2017, the business was not prepared, he said.

“It took us several days to be back up and running. Now we have a generator and multiple backup batteries for our devices to keep us up and running if there are any interruptions,” Motylinski said. “The generator has given us absolute security even if there are other power outages … We could easily weather any storm without our businesses missing a beat.”

The question is not if a power outage will occur but when, said Art Aiello, spokesman for Generac Power Systems, manufacturer of a wide range of power products.

“There is power out in this country every day,” which Generec tracks, Aiello said. (You can see where the power is out right now at generac.com/poweroutagecentral) “As storms become more frequent and severe — coupled with an aging electric power infrastructure — it’s only a matter of time before you experience a power outage.

That’s why we encourage everyone to plan now,” Aiello said.

Homeowners have a number of options when it comes

to emergency power.

“Backup power systems are not one-size-fits-all,” Aiello said.

Both portable and automatic home standby generators offer a source of electric power.

“That means critical appliances like sump pumps, refrigerators, freezers, microwaves and lights can all have power during an outage,” Aiello said. “When considering your backup power, it’s important to consider your power needs and budget. Many people invest in portable generators to backup a few appliances, but automatic home standby generators offer exceptional peace of mind because they can backup your entire home, if you so choose, and can run continuously until utility power returns.”

Portable generators come in a variety of sizes, but to have any kind of meaningful amount of emergency power, Generac recommends going no smaller than 5,000 watts, Aiello said. Generators of this size cost around $500 to $700.

Standby generators can be powered by natural gas, diesel or liquid propane.

According to Fixr.com, small models below 11,000 watts will be able to run a few household systems, while midsize models below 20,000 watts can sustain heating a home. Something above 22,000 watts is needed to run major systems like central air. The average cost of installing a backup generator is $4,000, says Fixr.

Convenience is another consideration. A portable generator has to be manually operated, run on extension cords and refueled, he said.

“In an emergency, portable generators can become scarce, and home standby generators require professional installation, which in itself requires time and planning. Don’t wait until the power goes out. Find the right emergency power solution for your home,” Aiello said.

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40 | Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 2019

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