Residents to receive Hurricane Preparedness Guide
Although a mild hurricane season is anticipated this year, St. Charles Parish’s emergency preparedness director warned every effort should be made to avoid residents developing a false sense of security.
“It only takes one storm,” Ronald Perry told the Parish Council Monday. “We live in a vulnerable area.”
The parish’s vulnerability comes with 330 miles of shoreline, low elevations, major waterways surrounding the area and limited hurricane levee protection.
Perry said residents need to be mindful that the area is flood prone, which includes areas covered by the hurricane protection levee, as well as the entire west bank of the parish.
“Even if you live on the East Bank, that levee could be overtopped,” he said Perry. “The No. 1 killer in hurricanes is storm surge.”
Weather prediction centers have forecast one major hurricane, one to five hurricanes, and four to 11 named storms.
Perry further advised the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s “Cone of Uncertainty” or white teardrop-shaped image that’s become an accepted predictor of storm paths could be substantially uncertain.
This is why he emphasized every resident’s need for a hurricane preparedness plan.
“Resident need to make their hurricane evacuation plans now,” Perry said.
The plan should include where to evacuate and how to get there, he said. Remember to check on elderly family members and neighbors to ensure they are cared for in an evacuation, as well as make arrangements to care for pets.
Parish President V. J. St. Pierre agreed.
“As we begin another hurricane season, my message to St. Charles Parish residents – and all residents in the metro area – is to be prepared and leave early,” St. Pierre said. “If your parish officials have set a mandatory evacuation, they are doing so based on reliable scientific data.”
St. Pierre also advised the aftermath of a storm is sometimes much more difficult to deal with than the weather itself.
“There is no sewer service, no power, no food, no gas and limited access to emergency services,” he said. “Once the flooding and wind threat is gone, serious threats still remain. So, while we hope for a calm hurricane season, we know that it only takes one storm to come our way to make for a serious disaster.”
Perry advised residents to prepare for long-term power outages, which could also include loss of water and wastewater services. Anyone dependent on oxygen or insulin or has special medical needs should especially prepare for these needs and potentially long power outages.
The parish’s plan includes assisted evacuation as a last resort for people and pets or companion animals, point of delivery and the Hurricane Preparedness Guide, which is being provided to residents in the next two weeks.
Assisted evacuation requires registering with the EOC prior to evacuation, he said. Pickup will begin 4 hours after an evacuation order is issued, evacuees will be staged at Westbank Bridge Park and transported to Tangipahoa Parish. For assisted evacuation of pets, the animal must have a collar, name tag, leash, pet carrier, and food and water for three or more days.
Perry said the state evacuation timeline is 50, 40 and 30 hours prior to tropical storm force winds reaching the Louisiana Coast. Also, State Act 615 now requires parishes also have an evacuation plan for companion animals, an outcome from Hurricane Katrina.
To register, visit the St. Charles Parish government website – http://www.stcharlesparish-la.gov/departments/emergency-preparedness, and click on “Emergency Alert System Sign-up,” then click on “Register as a Resident” and complete the form.
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