Hurricane Season Starts Tomorrow

The official start of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season is tomorrow, and one of the big questions you need to answer for your family is, are you ready?

Congressman Jeff Landry reminds constituents to be prepared for hurricanes. “As we face another hurricane season, I encourage all residents of South Louisiana to check their insurance policies, look into the National Flood Insurance Program, stock emergency items, check their generators, and make evacuation plans,” said Congressman Landry. “A little bit of preparation can save lots of time, money, and lives.”

Landry recommends these sites for getting information:

www.fema.gov

www.Ready.gov

www.nhc.noaa.gov

“I also recommend taking pictures of their homes, its contents, and their other valuables and having their important papers and documents in one place, ready to take with them in case an evacuation is declared,” added Congressman Landry. “Finally, proper planning should also include aiding family members with access and functional needs, addressing the care of pets, and safely shutting off utilities.”

Louisiana State Police Trooper Stephen Hammons says people need to prepare now because storms can just pop up out of the blue. He says,

For insurance and replacement purposes Hammons recommended, “You should take the time to write down serial numbers of pieces of electronic equipment, maybe video tape items in your home”. “With cell phone having quality video cameras it is easier than ever to document items that might need to be replaced.”

The Louisiana Department of Emergency Preparedness has several recommendation about how you can prepare before a storm:

Store enough drinking water to last for at least two weeks in case local water sources are unavailable
Check shutters on windows or purchase boards to fit windows
Place valuable papers and photographs in a water proof container and store them in a safe, dry place
Plan in advance where you will board your pets
Have at least one gallon of drinking water per family member for at least three days
Flashlight, battery-operated radio and a two week supply of batteries
Extra cash in case banks are closed
Canned goods, dry food and a manual can opener
First aid supplies, extra prescription medicine and other medicines and supplies

These are all good things to think about now instead of when a storm is approaching.

Since Alberto and Beryl have been used this season already, what are the other names for storms this year? Here is a list: