Official Louisiana Hurricane Survival Guide Hurricane Season June 1 — November 30 Are You Prepared for this Tropical Season? T he Gulf Coast region offers many benefits for its peo- ple who call Louisiana home. The area is full of cultural diversity, agricultural and fishery riches, a thriving ecology and many events and outdoor activities that make Louisiana unique. A consequence of enjoying this lifestyle is preparing for hurricane season and associated hazards from high winds, storm surge and flooding rains. This guide is developed through a collaborative partner- ship of the NOAA National Weather Service and the State of Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. The guide is provided to assist you in preparing for the Atlantic hurricane season. We all hope these actions will not be needed this season, but the looming threat always makes preparedness a necessity every year. Official Louisiana Hurricane Survival Guide Page 2 A Message from LA Governor Bobby Jindal Disasters can occur anywhere at anytime. At a moment’s notice citizens may need to move quickly out of harm’s way. Government agencies have planned and are prepared for possible emergencies that might arise. It is important that you and your family have a plan as well. This guide will assist you and your family with creating such a plan. I encourage you to study this guide so you can be best prepared to evacuate safely from impending threats should the need occur. In the event of an emergency, stay alert and pay attention to the news and announcements in your area if a situation develops. For more information, please visit the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) website at http://gohsep.la.gov or www.getagameplan.org. Sincerely, Bobby Jindal Definitions and Terminology Tropical Disturbance = A weak organization of clouds, rain and thunderstorms in the tropics that typically moves east to west. A small percentage of these systems intensify to tropical storms and hurricanes. These disturbances are monitored and upgraded by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Tropical Cyclone = The generic name for all low pressure systems that form in the tropics or near tropical waters that are not frontal in nature. These are inclusive of depressions to hurricanes in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans, but are also typhoons in the western Pacific Ocean. Tropical Depression = A tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained winds of 33 kts or 38 mph. Tropical Storm = A tropical cyclone with sustained winds between 34 kts (39 mph) and 64 kt (73 mph). Hurricane = A well developed tropical cyclone with sustained winds in excess of 64 kt (73 mph). Intensities are reported on the Saffir-Simpson scale ranging from Category 1 (weakest) to Category 5 (strongest). Tropical Storm Watch = Posted by the NHC for a stretch of coast line when tropical storm conditions are POSSIBLE in the next 48 hours. Tropical Storm Warning = Posted by the NHC for a stretch of coast line when tropical storm conditions are EXPECTED in the next 36 hours. Hurricane Watch = Posted by the NHC for a stretch of coast line when hurricane conditions are POSSIBLE within the next 48 hours. Hurricane Warning = Posted by the NHC for a stretch of coast line when hurricane conditions are EXPECTED within the next 36 hours. Official Louisiana Hurricane Survival Guide Supply Suggestions Page 3 Use these suggestions as a guide for gathering your hurricane supplies. Remember these critical points. Get a 2 week supply of these emergency necessities. Don’t forget special supplies for babies, the elderly and dependent persons. Store clean up and repair supplies in your safe room. Review homeowner’s or renter’s insurance plans as it relates to Make your hurricane kit portable if you live in an evacuation area. natural disasters. Hurricane Kit Alarm Clock (battery operated Cooler for water Prescriptions, including eyeglasses Baby Food, diapers and formula Driver’s license Non-electric can opener Battery or crank operated radio or TV Eating and cooking utensils NOAA All Hazards radio Enough batteries for radio, flashlights for Emergency cooking facilities (grill or camp Pots and pans several days stove) Portable cooler Blankets and pillows Extra pet food Sleeping bags, sheets, towels Bleach (without scents or additives) Fire extinguisher Soaps, shampoo and toiletries Butane Lighter First aid kit and manual Sponges and paper towels Canned and dried food Flashlights (one for each member) Toilet paper and towelettes Cans, gas and oil Fuel up the vehicles Toys (to occupy children) Cash, credit cards Gas for the grill Water Purification tablets Cellular phones Heavy work boots or shoes Water jugs, 1 gallon per person per day. Change of clothes Important phone numbers Feminine hygiene products Valuable Papers Social security cards Insurance policies Inventory of household goods Birth certificates Deeds and mortgages Computer file backups Marriage and death records Stocks and bonds Pictures (both personal and of belongings) Wills Small valuables Savings and checking books Clean Up and Repair Supplies Axes Cleaning supplies Inflatable raft Bars, wrecking and crow Duct and masking tape Ladders Brooms Drills and bits Lanterns and fuel Camera to record damage Extension cords Lumber Chain, steel Generators Mosquito propellant Chain saw and fuels Hammers and hatchets Plastic trash bags Caulk and caulking gun Heavy plastic tarps Nails, screw, bolts Official Louisiana Hurricane Survival Guide Page 4 Saffir Simpson Scale Hurricanes are rated by wind intensities on a scale developed by engineer Herbert S. Saffir and meteorologist Robert H. Simpson in the late 1960s. The scale is comprised of 5 intensities of sustained wind. Category Sustained Wind (mph) Type of Damage Last LA Hurricane 1 74 to 95 Minimal Cindy (2005) 2 96 to 110 Moderate Gustav (2009) 3 111 to 130 Extensive Katrina and Rita (2005) 4 131 to 155 Extreme Audrey (1957) 5 Greater than 155 Catastrophic Camille (1969) Hurricane Hazards Storm Surge, Storm Tide and Inundation Storm surge is the increase in sea height due to If one subtracts the elevation of the land or floor the strong circulation of wind and reduction in air elevation of a structure, the resulting water level is pressure. This surge is in addition to any normal called Inundation. In some coastal locations that may tide range that occurs daily. The combination of actually be below sea level, inundation can be particu- normal tide and storm surge is known as Storm larly hazardous. During Katrina, many locations had Tide. These combined water levels can reach 20 between 8 and 14 feet of inundation in low lying ar- to 30 feet in very large and powerful hurricanes. eas. Hurricane Camille in August 1969 produced a 24 foot storm tide along the Mississippi Coast. Hurri- cane Katrina in 2005 produced a 27 foot storm tide also along the Mississippi Coast. Official Louisiana Hurricane Survival Guide Page 5 Winds Tornadoes Hurricane force winds can Hurricanes and tropical storms destroy homes and mobile can and often produce torna- homes. Signs, roofing material does. Tornadoes can form in and small objects left outside thunderstorms embedded become flying missiles. Winds within the outer bands of a can attain hurricane strength, tropical cyclone or within the over 74 mph, well inland be- eyewall of hurricanes. Hurri- fore weakening. Powerful Hur- cane Hilda in 1964 produced ricane Katrina attained hurri- many tornadoes along its track cane force winds and produced into Louisiana. Hurricane An- widespread wind damage into drew produced a killer tornado central and eastern Mississippi. in Laplace before landfall in Hurricane Gustav in 2008 pro- south-central Louisiana. duced hurricane force winds in the Baton Rouge area. People outside during hurricane force A powerful tornado struck Laplace, LA several hours before the land- winds are in great danger of fall of Hurricane Andrew in August 1992. being struck by flying objects. Inland/Freshwater Flooding Tropical Storms and hurricanes fall due to the lift provided by history due primarily to fresh- are efficient rain-makers. These the higher terrain. This affect, water flooding in southeast storms are harbingers of tropi- in turn, can produce mud slides Texas and Louisiana. 23 deaths cal moisture that typically fall at and mud flows. The torrential were reported in Texas and rates of several inches per rains and flood threat can one in Louisiana. hour. The accumulation of reach hundreds of miles inland rainfall is related to the for- for several days after a storm’s ward speed of the storm. Slow landfall. Such was the case with moving or nearly stationary Tropical Storm Allison in 2001 storms can produce 20 to 30 when this slowly moving tropi- inches of rainfall or more in a cal storm produced over 40 day. Storms that move into inches in the Houston, TX mountainous or hilly terrain metro area. This was the cost- can have enhanced heavy rain- liest tropical storm in U.S. Downtown Houston, TX after torrential rains from Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. Official Louisiana Hurricane Survival Guide Page 6 Before a Storm Strikes When in a Watch Area Service and fuel family vehicles. Frequently monitor radio, TV (local and cable), NOAA All Haz- When in a Warning Area ards Radio, or Internet for official bulletins of the storm’s pro- Continue to monitor the storm’s progress. gress. Complete preparation activities. Prepare to secure or store lawn furniture and other loose, light- weight objects such as garbage cans, garden tools, etc. If evacuating, leave early during daylight hours. Stay at an inland location Prepare to cover all windows and door openings with shutters with family, friends, a low rise motel or a designated shelter. or plywood - Tape on windows is useless. Notify someone outside the evacuation area of your plans.