2 minute read
Here is the plan if a storm threatens Lafourche
If you live in Terrebonne, here is what to do
Dan Copp
Advertisement
Houma Courier-Thibodaux Daily Comet USA TODAY NETWORK
Last year’s Atlantic hurricane season was one for the record books.
Not only did the HoumaThibodaux area feel the effects of seven named storms, though all spared the area widespread or catastrophic damage, the COVID19 outbreak also brought new challenges into the fold.
Forecasters have predicted another active storm season this year, and the pandemic drags on.
Terrebonne Emergency Preparedness Director Earl Eues said the best defense against both threats is to expect the unexpected.
“We’re going to provide shelter as we always do during storms,” he said. “With the COVID situation we will make sure people are socially distancing and we will have masks available just to be cautious so we don’t have any issues in the shelters.”
Eues also encouraged residents to roll up their sleeves and get the coronavirus vaccine if they haven’t already.
“My recommendation is if you think you’re going to need to use public shelter you should probably look to get a vaccine,” he said.
Like previous storm seasons, Eues encourages residents to visit the Terrebonne Office of Emergency Preparedness’ Facebook page and follow the agency on Twitter @TOHSEP. Connect with Terrebonne’s 911’s Facebook page as well. In the event of a storm, officials will provide timely updates and breaking information.
Terrebonne Parish will also issue severe weather alerts to mobile devices. To register, visit tohsep.com/terrebonnealert. Residents can create free online profiles so first responders can help them during an emergency.
Visit smart911.com. Name, phone number and email address are required to create a profile, but users can enter other information such as age, floor plans and the names of family members. When dialing 911, information from the profile appears on the calltaker’s screen.
About evacuations
Eues, the parish president, sheriff and School Board officials monitors storms as they enter the Gulf of Mexico. The team decides on closures and evacuations and works with emergency officials to prepare for potential problems. Residents are urged to create a personal evacuation plan and remember traffic across the state will change due to largescale evacuations, Eues said. Families should come up with an evacuation route ahead of time and a place where they can meet if they become separated. For storms weaker than a Category 2 hurricane, officials will open a shelter somewhere in the parish. Those possible shelters include Gibson and Schriever recreation centers, Schriever Elementary, Dumas Auditorium and Evergreen Junior High.
Randall Bordelon, right, looks around the kitchen in his fishing camp near Chauvin on Oct. 29, 2020, less than 24 hours after Hurricane Zeta destroyed the roof. The strong Category 2 hurricane made landfall the night before in Cocodrie.
CHRIS GRANGER/AP
Stronger storms
If Terrebonne is threatened by a Category 3 or higher, 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 parish’s major streets. Once there, residents and their pets will be entered into the parish’s evacuation registration system and bused to a Monroe shelter. No prior signup is required.
If you need assistance getting to the pickup point, officials ask that you register in advance with the Terrebonne Council on Aging at 8688411. Residents are encouraged to take their pets with them during an evacuation.
Before an emergency, owners should get a pet carrier, vaccinate their pets yearly, provide identification for their animals and take clear photos of their pets. Pet owners should also have an emergency kit containing food, water, medications, important documents and toys.
Returning home
Business owners who want to return to Terrebonne to assess damage and make repairs must obtain an early reentry permit from the Office of Emergency Preparedness. To register, visit parishreentry.com and select “Terrebonne.”
For information, call 8736357. A major storm that causes a lot of damage, including downed power lines and scattered debris, could prevent residents from returning for several days or even weeks. Residents without early entry passes are usually not allowed to return until evacuation orders are lifted by the parish president. Though the coronavirus outbreak complicates hurricane season, Eues encouraged residents to evacuate when the need arises.
Eues said now is the time to prepare, not in the middle of hurricane season.
“I would remind residents to look over their evacuation plans and emergency kits to make sure there are enough supplies,” he said. “Make sure you have enough water. We may have an active hurricane season, but it only takes one storm to affect our area in order for it to be a bad season.”
Staff writer Dan Copp can be reached at 4487639 or at dan.copp@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanVCopp.
