HURRICANE SEASON 2008: BE PREPARED
MESSAGE FROM PARISH PRESIDENT V.J. ST. PIERRE, JR.

St. Charles Parish is uniquely vulnerable to hurricanes.

We are a coastal community. With over 330 miles of shoreline and low elevations, we are surrounded by major waterways. Those waterways make our parish an industrial powerhouse and recreational playground, but they can be sources of devastation during hurricanes.

St. Charles has limited levee protection from storm surges, especially on the West Bank. My administration has and will be working hard to correct that.

Even with levee protection, however, St. Charles Parish citizens need to be prepared for storm threats during hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 each year.

Please review the information in this parish-specific brochure to ready you, your family and your pets for hurricanes.

Please contact the parish with any questions or concerns. We want to help you be as safe as possible this storm season.

Thank you.

PARISH CONTACT INFORMATION

LOCAL WAYS TO STAY INFORMED:
985-783-5050 • WWW.STCHARLESGOV.NET • CABLE CHANNEL 6 • 1370 AM

THIS BROCHURE IS A JOINT PROJECT OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE AND EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

IF YOU CAN SAFELY STAY HOME DURING A HURRICANE...

• Offer your home as shelter to friends or relatives who live in vulnerable areas or mobile homes.
  
  
• Check your disaster supply kit (at right). Make sure you have at least a two-week supply of food and water.
  
  
• Protect windows and glass doors with plywood/shutters. Secure boats.
  Stay inside and away from windows.
  
  
• If you lose power, turn off major appliances, such as the air conditioner and water heater, to reduce damage.
  
  
• If flooding threatens your home, turn off electricity at the main breaker.
  
  
• Avoid using the phone.
  
  
• Clear your yard of potential flying debris, e.g. lawn furniture, potted plants, bicycles and trash cans.
  
  
• Open refrigerators sparingly.
  
  
• Listen for advisories about tap water.
  

IF THE PARISH CALLS A MANDATORY EVACUATION...

• Take the precautions listed above.
  
  
• Shut off water, gas and electricity at the main source and lock up.
  
  
• Fuel and service family vehicles.
  
  
• Use recommended evacuation routes (at right). Be sure to leave early.
  
  
• Take along needed items in your survival kit, especially important papers, extra clothing and food and water.
  
  
• Bring personal hygiene items (toothbrush, deodorant, etc.) and sleeping bags, pillows and blankets.
  
  
• Know where you are going and get in touch with family members outside the affected region with your plans.
  
  
• For those with no transportation, see the back page for St. Charles Parish’s Assisted Evacuation.
  
  
• Do NOT leave your pets at home. See the back page for a pet evacuation kit.
  

HAVE THESE ITEMS ON HAND IN YOUR DISASTER SUPPLY KIT...
Store all items in a waterproof container.

• WATER: One gallon per person per day for 2 weeks.
  
  
• NON-PERISHABLE FOOD: 2-week supply of ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables, canned juices, energy bars, vitamins, peanut butter, nuts, crackers and canned soups
  
  
• CLOTHING: Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person. Include rain gear and sturdy shoes or work boots, as well as sunglasses and hats and gloves.
  
  
• FIRST AID SUPPLIES: Bandages, antiseptic, tape, compresses, non-aspirin pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication.
  
  
• TOOLS AND EMERGENCY SUPPLIES:
  Emergency manual
  Flashlight / batteries
  Non-electric can opener
  Utility knife
  Duct tape
  Matches in waterproof box
  Plastic storage containers
  Battery-operated radio
  Mosquito repellant / citronella candles
  Camera and film, batteries
  Coolers for food and ice
  Toilet paper, paper towels and pre-moistened towelettes
  Cash or traveler’s checks
  Fire extinguisher - Small canister ABC type
  Paper cups, plates, utensils
  DOTD LA highway map
  Plastic sheeting
  Needles and thread
  Pliers
  Signal flare
  Paper and pencil
  Medicine dropper
  Water purification - chlorine tablets, iodine
  
  
• SPECIAL ITEMS: Infant and medical supplies, supplies for elderly or disabled, 2-week supply of prescription medicines
  
  
• ENTERTAINMENT: Games and books
  
  
• IMPORTANT FAMILY DOCUMENTS:
  Wills, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
  Passports, social security cards and immunization records
  Bank account numbers
  Credit card account numbers and company addresses
  Inventory of valuable household goods and important telephone numbers
  Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
  

EVACUATING ST. CHARLES PARISH

If the parish calls for a mandatory evacuation, both sides of the river will be asked to leave at the same time. According to the state contraflow plan, metropolitan New Orleans will evacuate 30 hours before the onset of tropical storm force winds. Delays on the I-310 interchange connecting to I-10 West may be heavy. Expect local traffic to be heavy as well, especially LA 48 (East Bank River Road), U.S. 61 (Airline Hwy.) and U.S. 90. The state will set up information points for evacuees re-entering Louisiana on nine major Interstates and highways. Visit www.stcharlesgov.net/hurricane and click on ‘STATE GUIDE’ to view the list.

EAST BANK: Residents living on the East Bank should evacuate north following U.S. 61 to the I-10 and I-55 interchanges, taking I-55 through Hammond. An alternate route is to take LA-48 to I-310 south to LA 3127 north turn onto LA 70 East then left on LA 3089. From here you are able to take either I-10 west to Baton Rouge or LA 1 to West Baton Rouge.

WEST BANK: Residents living on the West Bank are encourage to evacuate west on U.S. 90 to Lafayette then north on I-49. An alternate route is to take LA 18 to I-310 south to LA 3127 north turn onto LA 70 east then left on LA 3089. From here you are able to take either I-10 west to Baton Rouge or LA1 north to West Baton Rouge.

Please become familiar with state highways as Interstates will be difficult to travel.

IMPORTANT: If evacuated, do not return home until officials give the call to do so. Proof of residency may be required.