New Orleans Hurricane Preparation and Evacuation Guide

New Orleans hurricane preparation can make all the difference to your property and to your life. Protect yourself, your family, your home, and your pets from wind and flood damage by drawing on the many resources available from local, state, and federal agencies.

Evaluate the Danger - Know Your Hurricane Levels

When deciding whether evacuation may be in your immediate future, you need to match up the strength of the storm to the safety of your location.

• Category 1 Hurricane: winds 74-95 mph, storm surge 4-5 feet. Plan to evacuate if you live in a mobile home or trailer.
• Category 2 Hurricane: winds 96-110 mph, storm surge 6-8 feet. Plan to evacuate if you live in a low-lying area of the city.
• Category 3 Hurricane: winds 111-130 mph, storm surge 9-12 feet. Plan to evacuate regardless of where you live in the city. (Katrina hit the Gulf Coast as a category 3.)
• Category 4 Hurricane: winds 131-155 mph, storm surge 13-18 feet. Plan to evacuate ASAP.
• Category 5 Hurricane: winds 155+ mph, storm surge 18+ feet. Plan to evacuate yesterday.

Information Resources

• Radio: Louisiana Emergency Alert System broadcasts in New Orleans are found on AM 870 (WWL) and FM 101.9 (WLMG).
• Online: Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
• Phone: Road Closure Information (800) 469-4828, American Red Cross in the greater New Orleans area (504) 620-3105, shelter information (800) 469-4828, Crescent City Connection Police (504) 364-8180, NOPD Non-Emergency (504) 821-2222, Poison Control Center (800) 256-9822, Louisiana Finding Family Hotline (866) 326-9393, and Public Advocacy (504) 658-4015.

Evacuation Routes and Contraflow Lanes

Remember that contraflow lanes are not for local traffic, but for getting out of town as fast as possible. Follow the signs and directions carefully, and don't try cutting across the grass or dodging roadblocks. The police will come after you.

• I-10 West: all lanes from Clearview Parkway in Metairie to I-55 North in LaPlace will be westbound. All entrances to the I-10 in New Orleans, Metairie, and Kenner will function as usual.
• I-55 North: all lanes from I-12 in Hammond to the Mississippi state line will be northbound. There will be only two contraflow exits: Exit 47 in Amite and Exit 61 in Kentwood.
• I-59 North: all lanes north of the I-10/I-12/I-59 interchange will be northbound.

Early Preparation

Loading the kids in the car and finding the cell phone charger will keep your mind fully occupied, so take these steps before the storm is on the horizon.

• Scout out primary and secondary evacuation locations. You need a place to go that's just out of town, and another that's at least out of state. Call and find out if they tend to fill up during hurricanes, if they take pets, and if they have cooking/cleaning facilities. And plan your routes to get there.
• Pack up a family and pet disaster supply kit at the beginning of the hurricane season. This should include water, canned food, baby food, pet food, sturdy clothing, sunglasses, first aid supplies, a week's worth of your pills, important documents, good maps, and stuff to keep yourself entertained (and the stuff's batteries). Here's a FEMA Supply Kit Checklist.
• Make a "family communication plan." Select someone who lives out of state to tell when and where you evacuate. Give them the numbers of the other people who should know.
• Keep materials on hand for boarding up your windows.

Pre-Storm Preparation

Once the storm has formed in the gulf and evacuation is a possibility, there are several steps to take just in case you leave or get stuck at home without power.

• Check your supply kit.
• Gas up the car and generator.
• Store drinking water.
• Check/replace batteries in your flashlights, radios, etc.
• Write up a list of special things you'll need to bring with you but haven't packed, such as diapers, toys, medical supplies, perishable food, Bible, etc.

Evacuating

Okay, the time has come and you need to leave. Remember:

• Talk to your children. Reassure them you're leaving to avoid danger, and all is well.
• Secure your home.
• Raise valuables and cherished items off the floor or low shelving.
• Move patio furniture, hanging plants, and grills inside.
• Confirm hotel/motel reservations.
• Call your family communications person.
• Turn off your home's electricity at the main circuit breaker or fuse box.
• Turn off the gas.
• Double-check your safety kits, keys, checkbook, wallet, and credit cards.
• Walk through your house to make sure windows and doors are locked.

Emergency Shelter Information Points

• Re-entry from Mississippi on US 65 & US 84
  Tourist Welcome Center
  US 65 & 84, 1401 Carter St. (US 84)
  Vidalia, LA
• Re-entry from Mississippi on I-20
  Tourist Welcome Center
  836 I-20 West
  Tallulah, LA
• From the Southeast area on LA 1
  Paragon Casino
  711 Paragon Place
  Marksville, LA
• From the Southeast/Central areas on I-49
  Sammy's Truck Stop
  I-49, Exit 53
  3601 LA 115 W
  Bunkie, LA
• From the Southeast/Central areas on US 71
  Med Express Office
  7525 US 71
  Alexandria, LA
• From the Southeast/Southwest Central areas on US 171 and I-49
  P.E. Gym - LSU Shreveport
  One University Place
  Shrevport, LA
• From the Southwest areas on US 171
  Pickering High School
  180 Lebleu Rd.
  Leesville, LA
• From the Southwest/Central areas on US 165
  Tourist Information Center
  8904 US 165
  Oberlin, LA
• From Southeast area on La. 1
  Maddie's Track Plaza
  15972 La. 1
  Simmersport, LA