Gotta Have a Plan Man – Tropical Storm Cindy – Stay Steady But Be Ready

by

GOTTA HAVE A PLAN

HURRICANE SUPPLY LIST FROM THE COAST GUARD

https://www.uscg.mil/d7/airstaborinquen/docs/hurricanepage/suggested%20hurricane%20supply%20kits%20.pdf

***
Entergy’s Storm Ready Guide

http://entergystormcenter.com/pdfs/StormReadyGuide.pdf

***
Tropical Tidbits

http://www.tropicaltidbits.com/

***
cindy

***

If you think the City of New Orleans is going to clean the catch basin in front of your home please rethink that plan.

If you don’t clean the catch basin in front of your home it is you who will suffer the consequences.

Please consider cleaning the catch basins in and around your home NOW!

A catch basin, which is also known as a storm drain inlet or curb inlet, is an opening to the storm drain system that typically includes a grate or curb inlet at street level where storm water enters the catch basin and a sump captures sediment, debris and associated pollutants. Catch basins are able to prevent trash and other floatable materials from entering the drainage system by capturing such debris by way of a hooded outlet. The outlet pipes for catch basins on combined sewers (sanitary waste and storm water in a single pipe) are also outfitted with a flapper (trap) device to prevent the backflow of any unpleasant odors from pipes. Catch basins act as pretreatment for other treatment practices by allowing larger sediments to settle in the basin sump areas.

 

In this photo, Tommy Lewis shows the simple tools necessary to prevent flooding on your street.
Tommy Lewis shows just how simple it is to prevent flooding.

It is important to maintain catch basins to prevent storm sewer blockages and minimize the amount of pollutants entering storm sewers which may eventually discharge into local streams and waterways such as Lake Ponchartrain. Clogged catch basins can also result in the ponding of water along streets and parking lots causing a nuisance to motorists, pedestrians and businesses.

How you can help: When you are clearing your sidewalk or driveway, dispose of waste in trash receptacles instead of sweeping it into the gutters or catch basins.

If leaves or other debris are blocking a catch basin near your house or business, remove and dispose of the debris properly. Article from: http://www.bwsc.org/PROJECTS/Maintenance/catchbasin.asp

Some may remember that the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association has reminded people through the years to use their brains and clean their drains.  Anyone who has been through a major storm or regular rainfall in New Orleans knows that clogged catch basins contribute significantly to street flooding.

The pumps can’t pump what they can’t get. If your catch basin is clogged, please clean it today. If you need help, get with your neighbors and clean all the catch basins on your street. If you still need help, write to [email protected] and we’ll help you get it done.

If your catch basin requires mechanical cleaning or maintenance, call 311 to report the problem.


THE CITY IS ASKING THAT YOU CALL 311 FOR
CATCH BASINS THAT NEED MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT TO CLEAR

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP: Clean litter and debris from the catch basins near your house. Also, clean the surrounding curb area, because any litter, leaves, or grass on the street or sidewalk can end up in the catch basin. Do not lift the drain cover or attempt to disassemble the catch basin; just clean what you can see. All you need is a pair of work gloves, a shovel or small rake, and a trash bag. Remember: If your neighbor is elderly or disabled, please help clean their catch basin too.

2) Dispose of trash and lawn clippings in trash cans. Do not sweep or blow yard waste into the gutters and catch basins. Remember: Trash in our streets ends up as trash in our lake!

3) Construction sites or sites with hazardous materials must take special precautions to properly dispose of their paint and chemicals. They should not sweep, blow or hose waste into the catch basins. Report any improper actions to the City of New Orleans by calling 311.

Residents are advised to stay at home during the severe weather unless an emergency makes it absolutely necessary for them to get on the road. The NOPD will ticket motorists who drive faster than 5 mph on streets with standing water.

The following is a list of streets prone to significant flooding during severe weather.

Calliope @ Claiborne towards Tchoupitoulas St
Calliope & Tchoupitoulas St On-ramps
I-10 and Tulane Exit towards Claiborne
Airline & Tulane Ave intersection
4400 Block of Washington
Washington Ave. near Xavier
All surrounding streets to St. Charles flooded, Gravier/Tulane/S Dupre, S Claiborne/Washington.
Claiborne/Orleans Ave.
S Carrollton/Palmetto
Magazine/St Mary
Broad/Louisiana Ave./S.Claiborne
Josephine/Prytania
Earhart/Jeff Davis-Carrollton
500 blk of Lake Marina
Canal Blvd/I-10/Navarre
Erato/S Genois/City Park/Carrollton
Washington Ave. near Xavier, Washington
Gravier/Tulane/S Dupre
S Claiborne/Washington
Simon Bolivar & Calliope coming from Loyola Ave under the overpass
Poland Ave from St Claude to N. Claiborne
S. Claiborne at Joseph
Holiday to the Crescent City Connection
Shirley and DeGaulle
DeGaulle under the Westbank Expressway
General Meyer from Pace to Shirley
Richland and General Meyer
MacArthur and Holiday
Tullis
Garden Oaks
Chelsea
Vespasian and Wall
The City’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is monitoring the severe weather and will keep residents updated through e-mail alert and the Twitter handle @nolaready.

What are catch basins?

Catch basins are the grated storm drains that you see on almost every street corner. They are storm sewer inlets – typically located next to street curbs – that are the entryway from our streets to our pumping system and represent the first step in stormwater collection and disposal. On rainy days, rainwater and anything else on the streets enter catch basins.

How do catch basins get clogged?

Catch basins have grids to prevent large objects from falling into the sewer system. However, the bars are fairly widely spaced so that the flow of water is not blocked. Consequently, many objects fall through.

What are the consequences of clogged catch basins?

When catch basins get clogged with recently fallen leaves and debris, water can no longer be drained from the street. Water ponds along streets and can flood intersections and homes. Localized street flooding can be a hazard to the traveling public.

Contrary to popular belief, pet wastes, oil and other materials dumped into catch basins do not go to the wastewater treatment plant, but instead  flow directly into Lake Ponchartrain.  For example: dumping oil into a catch basin can have almost unthinkable consequences. If it reaches a river, lake, or stream, five quarts of oil can create a slick as large as two football fields and persist on mud or plants for six months or more.

It is important to monitor and clean catch basins to prevent street flooding, property damage, and hazards to the traveling public.

How can you help keep catch basins clean?

To lessen street flooding, the City asks residents to help clean the inlets and catch basins near your house or business. The grates of catch basins can become clogged with leaves or litter, especially in the fall and winter. Regularly inspect the grate and remove debris.

Stand on the curb and use a rake or pitch fork to clear leaves, limbs, and debris from the catch basin. Do not attempt to remove the grate, only the debris on top of the grate. Dispose of the debris properly.

The best time to inspect the catch basin in front of your house or business is prior to a rain event. Monitor and clean the catch basin in the fall when the trees are shedding their leaves. When the forecast calls for heavy rainfall, remove debris from the catch basin before a storm. After a storm, maintain the openings to catch basins by clearing away any debris.

Disposing of leaves and debris

When you are clearing your sidewalk or driveway, dispose of waste in trash receptacles instead of sweeping it into the gutters or catch basins. Please do not rake or blow the leaves from your yard into the street.. Dispose of leaves and yard debris in trash containers for pick up.

Getting help

If you see a catch basin filled with debris below the grate, or if you cannot clear the basin near your property yourself, call 311. Never attempt to remove catch basin grates, only the debris on top of the grate.

How you can help keep catch basins clean

The following simple actions can help keep streets open and catch basins clean:

  1. Monitor and clean the catch basin near your house or business, especially prior to a rain event.
  2. Stand on the curb and use a rake or pitch fork to clear leaves and debris from catch basins so that water can drain easily. Do not try to remove the grate.
  3. Do not rake or blow leaves from your yard into the street. Bag them at the curb in the parking strip and prepare them for curbside pickup by your garbage hauler.
  4. Dispose of waste in trash receptacles instead of sweeping it into the gutters or catch basins. Dispose of leaves and yard debris in curbside yard debris containers. Pile shoveled snow where it can be absorbed into the ground.
  5. Notify the City at 311 if you cannot clear a catch basin yourself.

What else can I do to prevent flooding?

Use non-phosphorus detergents
Do not pour or throw anything into a storm drain.
Use native plants for landscaping around your home
Limit the use of fertilizers on your yard, especially before a large rain
Pick up pet waste from your yard and while walking your dog
Build a rain garden to capture storm water runoff from your house and yard
Install a rain barrel or cistern to store rain water to water plants
We could change the world
in the night while we are sleeping
The power’s in my neighborhood
https://youtu.be/Gkgna7erlqw

 

keep-calm-cause-i-have-a-planMake a Plan The reality of a disaster situation is that you will likely not have access to everyday conveniences. To plan in advance, think through the details of your everyday life.

Develop a Family Emergency Plan.Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another and review what you will do in different situations.

Consider a plan where each family member calls, or e-mails, the same friend or relative in the event of an emergency. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members. Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the attack, the first important decision is whether you stay put or get away. You should understand and plan for both possibilities.

Watch television and listen to the radio for official instructions as they become available.

Create a Personal Support Network: If you anticipate needing assistance during a disaster, ask family, friends and others to be part of your plan. Share each aspect of your emergency plan with everyone in your group, including a friend or relative in another area who would not be impacted by the same emergency who can help if necessary. Include the names and numbers of everyone in your personal support network, as well as your medical providers in your emergency supply kit. Make sure that someone in your personal support network has an extra key to your home and knows where you keep your emergency supplies. If you use a wheelchair or other medical equipment, show friends how to use these devices so they can move you if necessary and teach them how to use any lifesaving equipment or administer medicine in case of an emergency. Practice your plan with those who have agreed to be part of your personal support network. Inform your employer and co-workers about your disability and let them know specifically what assistance you will need in an emergency. Talk about communication difficulties, physical limitations, equipment instructions and medication procedures. Always participate in trainings and emergency drills offered by your employer.

Consider Your Service Animal or Pets: Whether you decide to stay put or evacuate, you will need to make plans in advance for your service animal and pets. Keep in mind that what’s best for you is typically what’s best for your animals. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you, if possible. However, if you are going to a public shelter, make sure that they allow pets. Some only allow service animals. Fire Safety: Plan two ways out of every room in case of fire. Check for items such as bookcases, hanging pictures or overhead lights that could fall and block an escape path.

Make-a-PlanCreate a Plan to Shelter-in-Place: There are circumstances when staying put and creating a barrier between yourself and potentially contaminated air outside, a process known as sheltering-in-place and sealing the room can be a matter of survival. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if local authorities say the air is badly contaminated, you may want to shelter-in-place and seal the room. Consider precutting plastic sheeting to seal windows, doors and air vents. Each piece should be several inches larger than the space you want to cover so that you can duct tape it flat against the wall. Label each piece with the location of where it fits. Immediately turn off air conditioning, forced air heating systems, exhaust fans and clothes dryers. Take your emergency supplies and go into the room you have designated. Seal all windows, doors and vents. Understand that sealing the room is a temporary measure to create a barrier between you and contaminated air. Listen to the radio for instructions from local emergency management officials.

Create a Plan to Get Away: Plan in advance how you will assemble your family and anticipate where you will go. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency. Become familiar with alternate routes as well as other means of transportation out of your area. If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to. If you typically rely on elevators, have a back-up plan in case they are not working. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together.

You need to be ready… NOLA READY!

nola-ready

 

On the Web – http://new.nola.gov/ready/

 

Via Email – http://new.nola.gov/ready/emergency-alerts/

 

On Twitter – https://twitter.com/nolaready

 

On Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NOHSEP

 

Readiness starts with you

Whether manmade or natural, every emergency situation is different, and requires both citizen and City to be prepared. From the Final Four to the Super Bowl, all-hazards alerts to hurricane evacuations, 24/7, 365 days a year, agencies across the City of New Orleans work to keep you safe and our city prepared for any event or emergency.

For our City to be ready, our citizens must be ready.

We must take all take important steps to prepare for an emergency. At NOLA Ready, we provide all the information residents need to travel their own road to being ready, including how to:

 

City-Assisted Evacuation

City-Assisted Evacuation assists Orleans Parish residents and/or tourists who cannot self-evacuate during a mandatory City-wide evacuation by providing transportation from designated City evacuation pick-up points to the Union Pacific Terminal bus station, for outbound transportation to State and Federal shelters. Learn more here.

Sign the NOLA Ready pledge

Join Mayor Mitch Landrieu and make a commitment to the City committed to you. Make a Plan. Mark Your Name.

Because I love New Orleans, I know how I will leave New Orleans. I am New Orleanian. I am NOLA Ready.

Sign the Pledge

Get notified: Emergency Alerts

Accurate, immediate information, straight from the City of New Orleans to you via text, call, or email. NOLA Ready is the CIty of New Orleans’ emergency alert system and official source of information about every emergency situation, from power electrical outages to hurricane evacuations. What you need to know, when you need to know it, wherever you need to know it. Sign up here.

 

 

A CHECKLIST OF ITEMS FOR HURRICANE PREPARATION

 

  • Prescription medication for a month
  • Aspirin and non-prescription medicine
  • FIRST AID KIT
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • CASH
  • Drinking water (2 gallons per day per person)
  • Containers for storing water
  • Non-perishable food
  • Eating utensils, paper plates and towels
  • Baby supplies (up to 3 weeks)
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Battery powered TV or radio
  • TOILET PAPER
  • Boards for your windows
  • Matches
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Lantern with extra fuel
  • Fuel for your generator or saw
  • Aluminum foil
  • INSECT REPELLENT
  • Month’s supply of pet food
  • Cat litter
  • Tools and shovel
  • Latex and regular work gloves
  • SIGNAL LIGHT
  • AX IN ATTIC
  • Rope or heavy cord
  • DISINFECTANT
  • Toiletries and feminine supplies
  • Soap and liquid detergent
  • Household bleach without lemon
  • GARBAGE BAGS
  • Sturdy work shoes or work boots
  • RAIN GEAR AND A CHANGE OF CLOTHES
  • Have a plan of action for your pets. Many shelters will not take them. Call the SPCA for more information to help you prepare for evacuating your pets… (504) 368-5191.
  • http://www.la-spca.org

from the LSU AG CENTER



 

Click here for a PDF of the full presentation.

 

For more information, please visit the LSU AG CENTER online at http://lsuagcenter.com

***

You may want to consider evacuating with help of Evacuteer.org. This  resource is designed to help New Orleans residents safely evacuate. As travel around the city, you will notice the addition of 14-foot sculptures in your neighborhood. These art pieces resembling waving figures are the culmination of art and functionality. These are designated evacuation pickup points (EvacuSpots) across the city. In the event of an evacuation, these EvacuSpots will be run by Evacuteers who will register and assist evacuees with luggage and pets at each of the locations.

EVACUTEER1photo courtesy Kirsten & Allie Kirsten & Allie said, Its pose seems symbolic as much as aesthetic, drawing people to it as if to say, “stick with me and I will guide you.” And that’s exactly what the statue does, because it marks an ‘EvacuSpot.’ Check out their article about EVACUTEER at: http://adaptationstories.com/2013/07/18/new-orleans-gives-evacuation-plan-an-artists-touch/

Evacuteer.org recruits, trains, and manages evacuation volunteers who assist with New Orleans’ mandatory evacuations.

During an activation, volunteers work to move 30,000+ citizens without access to reliable transportation. Evacuteers work at each one of the 17 EvacuSpots, at the Union Passenger Terminal for evacuee processing, and at City Hall to assist with the 311 Call Center.

“Thought you would like to know that our front yard did beautifully yesterday!” This message brought to you by the owners of the Broadmoor house that used to get 8″ in their front yard after a hard rain who participated in the #FrontYardInitiative.

The driveway on the left and bioswale on the right now capture and slow water from entering the city’s system. Photo below shows what used to happen after a one-hour 2″ rain (Broadmoor got 5.49″ in a matter of hours on Aug 5.) Evans + Lighter Landscape Architecture Quality Sitework Materials Truegrid Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans. Details about the program in the link:
http://www.urbanconservancy.org/project/fyi/

The Front Yard Initiative is the Urban Conservancy’s response to excessive yard paving. Rampant front yard paving is a community issue that has broad and significant effects on the city of New Orleans from stormwater to safety.

Stormwater management in New Orleans has been characterized by regularly overwhelmed drainage systems, excessive paving and pumping that has depleted groundwater levels and led to a sinking city, and urban water assets being wasted while hidden behind walls, underground, or pumped into the river and lake. All of these issues and the failure of traditional infrastructure (levees, pipes and pumps) to protect the city from Hurricane Katrina, continuous flooding, and subsidence has led to a shift in mindset regarding the most effective and thoughtful way to manage stormwater in South Louisiana. It is clear that the single-minded approach of rushing stromwater over pavement, into pipes and pumping it out of the city needs to be reevaluated.

Be Ready | Stay Steady

by

keep-calm-cause-i-have-a-planMake a Plan The reality of a disaster situation is that you will likely not have access to everyday conveniences. To plan in advance, think through the details of your everyday life.

Develop a Family Emergency Plan.Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another and review what you will do in different situations.

Consider a plan where each family member calls, or e-mails, the same friend or relative in the event of an emergency. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members. Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the attack, the first important decision is whether you stay put or get away. You should understand and plan for both possibilities.

Watch television and listen to the radio for official instructions as they become available.

Create a Personal Support Network: If you anticipate needing assistance during a disaster, ask family, friends and others to be part of your plan. Share each aspect of your emergency plan with everyone in your group, including a friend or relative in another area who would not be impacted by the same emergency who can help if necessary. Include the names and numbers of everyone in your personal support network, as well as your medical providers in your emergency supply kit. Make sure that someone in your personal support network has an extra key to your home and knows where you keep your emergency supplies. If you use a wheelchair or other medical equipment, show friends how to use these devices so they can move you if necessary and teach them how to use any lifesaving equipment or administer medicine in case of an emergency. Practice your plan with those who have agreed to be part of your personal support network. Inform your employer and co-workers about your disability and let them know specifically what assistance you will need in an emergency. Talk about communication difficulties, physical limitations, equipment instructions and medication procedures. Always participate in trainings and emergency drills offered by your employer.

Consider Your Service Animal or Pets: Whether you decide to stay put or evacuate, you will need to make plans in advance for your service animal and pets. Keep in mind that what’s best for you is typically what’s best for your animals. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you, if possible. However, if you are going to a public shelter, make sure that they allow pets. Some only allow service animals. Fire Safety: Plan two ways out of every room in case of fire. Check for items such as bookcases, hanging pictures or overhead lights that could fall and block an escape path.

Make-a-PlanCreate a Plan to Shelter-in-Place: There are circumstances when staying put and creating a barrier between yourself and potentially contaminated air outside, a process known as sheltering-in-place and sealing the room can be a matter of survival. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if local authorities say the air is badly contaminated, you may want to shelter-in-place and seal the room. Consider precutting plastic sheeting to seal windows, doors and air vents. Each piece should be several inches larger than the space you want to cover so that you can duct tape it flat against the wall. Label each piece with the location of where it fits. Immediately turn off air conditioning, forced air heating systems, exhaust fans and clothes dryers. Take your emergency supplies and go into the room you have designated. Seal all windows, doors and vents. Understand that sealing the room is a temporary measure to create a barrier between you and contaminated air. Listen to the radio for instructions from local emergency management officials.

Create a Plan to Get Away: Plan in advance how you will assemble your family and anticipate where you will go. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency. Become familiar with alternate routes as well as other means of transportation out of your area. If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to. If you typically rely on elevators, have a back-up plan in case they are not working. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together.

You may want to consider evacuating with help of Evacuteer.org. This  resource is designed to help New Orleans residents safely evacuate. As travel around the city, you will notice the addition of 14-foot sculptures in your neighborhood. These art pieces resembling waving figures are the culmination of art and functionality. These are designated evacuation pickup points (EvacuSpots) across the city. In the event of an evacuation, these EvacuSpots will be run by Evacuteers who will register and assist evacuees with luggage and pets at each of the locations.

EVACUTEER1photo courtesy Kirsten & Allie Kirsten & Allie said, Its pose seems symbolic as much as aesthetic, drawing people to it as if to say, “stick with me and I will guide you.” And that’s exactly what the statue does, because it marks an ‘EvacuSpot.’ Check out their article about EVACUTEER at: http://adaptationstories.com/2013/07/18/new-orleans-gives-evacuation-plan-an-artists-touch/

Evacuteer.org recruits, trains, and manages evacuation volunteers who assist with New Orleans’ mandatory evacuations.

During an activation, volunteers work to move 30,000+ citizens without access to reliable transportation. Evacuteers work at each one of the 17 EvacuSpots, at the Union Passenger Terminal for evacuee processing, and at City Hall to assist with the 311 Call Center.

Whether it’s a boil water advisory or hurricane alerts, you need to be ready… NOLA READY! Learn more by visiting the links below.

nola-ready

 

On the Web – http://new.nola.gov/ready/

 

Via Email – http://new.nola.gov/ready/emergency-alerts/

 

On Twitter – https://twitter.com/nolaready

 

On Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NOHSEP

 

Readiness starts with you

Whether manmade or natural, every emergency situation is different, and requires both citizen and City to be prepared. From the Final Four to the Super Bowl, all-hazards alerts to hurricane evacuations, 24/7, 365 days a year, agencies across the City of New Orleans work to keep you safe and our city prepared for any event or emergency.

For our City to be ready, our citizens must be ready.

We must take all take important steps to prepare for an emergency. At NOLA Ready, we provide all the information residents need to travel their own road to being ready, including how to:

City-Assisted Evacuation

City-Assisted Evacuation assists Orleans Parish residents and/or tourists who cannot self-evacuate during a mandatory City-wide evacuation by providing transportation from designated City evacuation pick-up points to the Union Pacific Terminal bus station, for outbound transportation to State and Federal shelters. Learn more here.

Sign the NOLA Ready pledge

Join Mayor Mitch Landrieu and make a commitment to the City committed to you. Make a Plan. Mark Your Name.

Because I love New Orleans, I know how I will leave New Orleans. I am New Orleanian. I am NOLA Ready.

Sign the Pledge

Get notified: Emergency Alerts

Accurate, immediate information, straight from the City of New Orleans to you via text, call, or email. NOLA Ready is the CIty of New Orleans’ emergency alert system and official source of information about every emergency situation, from power electrical outages to hurricane evacuations. What you need to know, when you need to know it, wherever you need to know it. Sign up here.

 

 

A CHECKLIST OF ITEMS FOR HURRICANE PREPARATION

 

  • Prescription medication for a month
  • Aspirin and non-prescription medicine
  • FIRST AID KIT
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • CASH
  • Drinking water (2 gallons per day per person)
  • Containers for storing water
  • Non-perishable food
  • Eating utensils, paper plates and towels
  • Baby supplies (up to 3 weeks)
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Battery powered TV or radio
  • TOILET PAPER
  • Boards for your windows
  • Matches
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Lantern with extra fuel
  • Fuel for your generator or saw
  • Aluminum foil
  • INSECT REPELLENT
  • Month’s supply of pet food
  • Cat litter
  • Tools and shovel
  • Latex and regular work gloves
  • SIGNAL LIGHT
  • AX IN ATTIC
  • Rope or heavy cord
  • DISINFECTANT
  • Toiletries and feminine supplies
  • Soap and liquid detergent
  • Household bleach without lemon
  • GARBAGE BAGS
  • Sturdy work shoes or work boots
  • RAIN GEAR AND A CHANGE OF CLOTHES
  • Have a plan of action for your pets. Many shelters will not take them. Call the SPCA for more information to help you prepare for evacuating your pets… (504) 368-5191.
  • http://www.la-spca.org

 

Hello Evacuteer Team!

Evacuteer.org says “Hello Hurricane Season!” on June 1 2014

The 2014 hurricane season begins on June 1st and we want (you) to be ready!

We’re kicking off with city-wide training events Sunday June 1st from 2pm to 4pm.

Bad news » even previous Evacuteers need to re-certify to help this year. But you knew that!

Good news » there’s a training near every Evacuspot in the city!
Register to train by choosing a location from this map.

Following training, we’d like to greet and thank you for your commitment at the Annual Hello Hurricane Season Summit. Join us at Armstrong Park from 4 to 7pm for a family-friendly picnic with great music and activities for all ages. We will hear an address from Deputy Mayor of Emergency Preparedness Col. Sneed and Chief Superintendent Tim McConnell.

Once again, thank you for training last season and we look forward to seeing you Sunday, June 1st!

Connect with Us:

Facebook Twitter Website
Contact Info:

Phone: 504.358.0455
Email: [email protected]

STAY STEADY BUT BE READY

by

karen-4pm-2013oct4-facebook

 

Oct 04, 2013 | 4 pm update

tropical-storm-karenCouncilmember Guidry says, “The Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles have been activated and remain on stand-by at safe locations in anticipation of post-storm relief efforts. Dozens of trailers filled with cots, blankets, comfort kits and kitchen supplies are spread across the Gulf region.”

Make a Plan
The reality of a disaster situation is that you will likely not have access to everyday conveniences. To plan in advance, think through the details of your everyday life.
Develop a Family Emergency Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another and review what you will do in different situations.
Consider a plan where each family member calls, or e-mails, the same friend or relative in the event of an emergency. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members. Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the attack, the first important decision is whether you stay put or get away. You should understand and plan for both possibilities.
Watch television and listen to the radio for official instructions as they become available.

 

Create a Personal Support Network: If you anticipate needing assistance during a disaster, ask family, friends and others to be part of your plan. Share each aspect of your emergency plan with everyone in your group, including a friend or relative in another area who would not be impacted by the same emergency who can help if necessary. Include the names and numbers of everyone in your personal support network, as well as your medical providers in your emergency supply kit. Make sure that someone in your personal support network has an extra key to your home and knows where you keep your emergency supplies. If you use a wheelchair or other medical equipment, show friends how to use these devices so they can move you if necessary and teach them how to use any lifesaving equipment or administer medicine in case of an emergency. Practice your plan with those who have agreed to be part of your personal support network. Inform your employer and co-workers about your disability and let them know specifically what assistance you will need in an emergency. Talk about communication difficulties, physical limitations, equipment instructions and medication procedures. Always participate in trainings and emergency drills offered by your employer.

Consider Your Service Animal or Pets: Whether you decide to stay put or evacuate, you will need to make plans in advance for your service animal and pets. Keep in mind that what’s best for you is typically what’s best for your animals. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you, if possible. However, if you are going to a public shelter, make sure that they allow pets. Some only allow service animals. Fire Safety: Plan two ways out of every room in case of fire. Check for items such as bookcases, hanging pictures or overhead lights that could fall and block an escape path.

Create a Plan to Shelter-in-Place: There are circumstances when staying put and creating a barrier between yourself and potentially contaminated air outside, a process known as sheltering-in-place and sealing the room can be a matter of survival. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if local authorities say the air is badly contaminated, you may want to shelter-in-place and seal the room. Consider precutting plastic sheeting to seal windows, doors and air vents. Each piece should be several inches larger than the space you want to cover so that you can duct tape it flat against the wall. Label each piece with the location of where it fits. Immediately turn off air conditioning, forced air heating systems, exhaust fans and clothes dryers. Take your emergency supplies and go into the room you have designated. Seal all windows, doors and vents. Understand that sealing the room is a temporary measure to create a barrier between you and contaminated air. Listen to the radio for instructions from local emergency management officials.

Create a Plan to Get Away: Plan in advance how you will assemble your family and anticipate where you will go. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency. Become familiar with alternate routes as well as other means of transportation out of your area. If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to. If you typically rely on elevators, have a back-up plan in case they are not working. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together.

You may want to consider evacuating with help of Evacuteer.org. This is a new resource designed to help New Orleans residents safely evacuate. As travel around the city, you will notice the addition of 14-foot sculptures in your neighborhoods. These art pieces resembling waving figures are the culmination of art and functionality. These are designated evacuation pickup points (EvacuSpots) across the city. In the event of an evacuation, these EvacuSpots will be run by Evacuteers who will register and assist evacuees with luggage and pets at each of the locations.

The EvacuSpots are located at the:

  • Arthur Mondy Center (West Bank)
  • Kingsley House (Lower Garden District)
  • Central City Senior Center (Central City)
  • Mater Dolorosa (Carrollton)
  • Smith Library Bus Stop (Lakeview)
  • Palmer Park (Carrollton)
  • McMain High School (Broadmoor)
  • Lyons Community Center (Irish Channel)
  • Dryades YMCA (Central City)
  • Warren Easton High School (Mid City)
  • Municipal Auditorium (Treme)
  • O. Perry Walker High School (West Bank)
  • Stallings Community Center (Bywater)
  • Sanchez Center (Lower 9th Ward)
  • Gentilly Mall Parking Lot (Gentilly)
  • New Orleans East Library
  • Mary Queen of Vietnam Church (New Orleans East)

Get WATER | BATTERIES | MEDICINE

  • And, even if you have done it already, CLEAN THAT CATCH BASIN near your home. It gets re-clogged after every rain event. The pumps can’t pump what they can’t get.***In the midst of hurricane preparations it’s easy to forget the simple stuff. If your trash pickup days are Monday and Thursday, don’t forget to put out the can. If the hurricane arrives, it might be a while before trash pickup resumes.***With any calamity anywhere there are always opportunists. Bring in anything that could be transformed into a missle or be of value to an opportunist.

Neighbor Conrad Abadie says, “If you have an icemaker in your refrigerator, you might want to empty it into a small ice chest. It should come in handy when you lose power and will keep you from having to open the refrigerator.”

***

Neighbor Bill Dalton sent in this interesting link to the Google Crisis Map for the United States —> http://google.org/crisismap/

***

Neighbor Eileen Duke made this suggestion on the Yahoo group:

“For those that are staying, let’s please watch out for people casing our neighborhood… I’m not suggesting that anyone confront trespassers on properties other than their own, but we could at least sound a car alarm if we see someone entering someone’s backyard, etc. That could be a signal of sorts.”

***

Neighbor Vince Booth sent in this link for traffic information:

http://i10highway.com/i-10-traffic/new_orleans.html

***

And, one of the things you should be doing on a regular basis is cleaning that catch basin near your home. Check out the link below for more information:

https://fsjna.org/2012/05/free-protection/

The pumps can’t pump what the pumps can’t get. Clean that catch basin today.

***

Hurricane Hunters on TWITTER —> https://twitter.com/NOAA_HurrHunter

***

Call 1-800-9-OUTAGE (1-800-968-8243) for downed power lines or gas leaks.

***

Louisiana contraflow lane reversals start 30 hours before the onset of tropical winds. A local software team has created a Google Maps mashup to make the state’s contraflow evacuation routes easier to understand.

Visit contraflowmaps.com to plan your route.

***

Please visit www.getagameplan.org and www.gohsep.la.gov to get detailed information on building a family emergency plan, emergency supplies, and evacuation information. Ready.gov is available with FEMA preparedness information. The city’s 311 system will be up and active during this storm. Please report any non-emergency issues to 311 including downed trees, signs and traffic light outages.

Whether it’s a boil water advisory or hurricane alerts, you need to be ready… NOLA READY! Learn more by visiting the links below.

nola-ready

 

On the Web – http://new.nola.gov/ready/

 

Via Email – http://new.nola.gov/ready/emergency-alerts/

 

On Twitter – https://twitter.com/nolaready

 

On Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NOHSEP

 

Readiness starts with you

Whether manmade or natural, every emergency situation is different, and requires both citizen and City to be prepared. From the Final Four to the Super Bowl, all-hazards alerts to hurricane evacuations, 24/7, 365 days a year, agencies across the City of New Orleans work to keep you safe and our city prepared for any event or emergency.

For our City to be ready, our citizens must be ready.

We must take all take important steps to prepare for an emergency. At NOLA Ready, we provide all the information residents need to travel their own road to being ready, including how to:

City-Assisted Evacuation

City-Assisted Evacuation assists Orleans Parish residents and/or tourists who cannot self-evacuate during a mandatory City-wide evacuation by providing transportation from designated City evacuation pick-up points to the Union Pacific Terminal bus station, for outbound transportation to State and Federal shelters. Learn more here.

Sign the NOLA Ready pledge

Join Mayor Mitch Landrieu and make a commitment to the City committed to you. Make a Plan. Mark Your Name.

Because I love New Orleans, I know how I will leave New Orleans. I am New Orleanian. I am NOLA Ready.

Sign the Pledge

Get notified: Emergency Alerts

Accurate, immediate information, straight from the City of New Orleans to you via text, call, or email. NOLA Ready is the CIty of New Orleans’ emergency alert system and official source of information about every emergency situation, from power electrical outages to hurricane evacuations. What you need to know, when you need to know it, wherever you need to know it. Sign up here.

 

 

A CHECKLIST OF ITEMS FOR HURRICANE PREPARATION

 

  • Prescription medication for a month
  • Aspirin and non-prescription medicine
  • FIRST AID KIT
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • CASH
  • Drinking water (2 gallons per day per person)
  • Containers for storing water
  • Non-perishable food
  • Eating utensils, paper plates and towels
  • Baby supplies (up to 3 weeks)
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Battery powered TV or radio
  • TOILET PAPER
  • Boards for your windows
  • Matches
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Lantern with extra fuel
  • Fuel for your generator or saw
  • Aluminum foil
  • INSECT REPELLENT
  • Month’s supply of pet food
  • Cat litter
  • Tools and shovel
  • Latex and regular work gloves
  • SIGNAL LIGHT
  • AX IN ATTIC
  • Rope or heavy cord
  • DISINFECTANT
  • Toiletries and feminine supplies
  • Soap and liquid detergent
  • Household bleach without lemon
  • GARBAGE BAGS
  • Sturdy work shoes or work boots
  • RAIN GEAR AND A CHANGE OF CLOTHES
  • Have a plan of action for your pets. Many shelters will not take them. Call the SPCA for more information to help you prepare for evacuating your pets… (504) 368-5191.
  • http://www.la-spca.org
  • MAYOR LANDRIEU DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY
    AS CITY PREPARES FOR TROPICAL STORM KAREN
    Today, Mayor Mitch Landrieu outlined storm preparation for Tropical Storm Karen, which according to the National Weather Service is expected to make landfall Saturday as a Tropical Storm.

    Mayor Landrieu has declared a state of emergency and mobilized City departments and partner agencies to prepare for a severe weather. New Orleans is currently under a Tropical Storm Watch.

    “We have a plan in place to secure the city and we are taking all necessary precautions to prepare for Tropical Storm Karen,” Mayor Landrieu said. “Now is the time to prepare for whatever may come our way. As we all have learned, these storms can be unpredictable so we must continue to stay alert and ready to adjust as the situation develops.”

    In advance of the weather, the City is asking residents to take the following precautions:

    • Prepare to shelter in place with food, water, and medications needed in the event of loss of water and/ or power.
    • Clean or clear gutters and catch basins near your home.
    • Bring in or secure any loose objects outside.
    • Check on your neighbors and the elderly to make sure they are prepared.
    • Regular trash pickup will occur Saturday. Once trash is picked up, residents should secure trash cans.
    • Board up your windows or hatch down shutters.

    Mayor Landrieu strongly encouraged residents who live outside the city’s levee protection system or in low-lying areas – including Venetian Isles, Fort Pike, Irish Bayou, and Lake Catherine – to be prepared for elevated tidal surge and impassable roadways.

    Watch video from Mayor Landrieu’s Press Conference

    NOLA 311
    NOLA 311 will be operating extended hours throughout the event. NOLA 311 will remain operational until Friday midnight and resume operations at 6:00 a.m. Saturday, October 5 and remain operating 24 hours a day until further notice.
    Residents are encouraged to call NOLA 311 for general information and to report non-life threatening emergencies such as:

    • Storm preparation information
    • Sidewalk and road problems
    • Debris

    Residents should call 911 ONLY for life-threatening emergencies.

    NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT
    The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) has activated its hurricane preparedness plan, and is fully ready to protect people and property across the city.
    The NOPD will ticket motorists who drive faster than 5 mph on streets with standing water. Barricades will be positioned and will be deployed in flooded areas.
    A list of streets prone to significant flooding during severe weather is available at ready.nola.gov.

    NEW ORLEANS FIRE DEPARTMENT
    The New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) is fully staffed and prepared to respond to emergencies involving fire, water or hazardous materials. Additionally, the NOFD Urban Search and Rescue team is on standby in the event that it is needed. NOFD encourages residents to practice generator safety by operating them only in well-ventilated areas, away from doors, windows and vent openings. The NOFD also urges residents to use candles and kerosene lamps safely and never leave them unattended.

    HOMELESS SHELTERS
    The following shelters will be available for homeless persons on Friday, October 5:

    • New Orleans Mission, 1130 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, (adults only: ages 18 and over) 504-270-4967.
    • Ozanam Inn, 843 Camp St., (males only) 504-523-1184.
    • Covenant House, 611 N. Rampart St., (males and females ages 16-21 and females of any age with children) 504-523-1111.
    • Bethel Community Ministries, 4114 Old Gentilly Rd, (women with children) 504-943-0456.

    REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY (RTA)
    At this time, RTA will continue to provide regular transit services to its riders. Streetcar service will be replaced with buses once sustained winds reach 25 mph.

    SANITATION
    Regular trash pickups will occur on Saturday. Once trash is picked up on Saturday, residents should secure all trash bins. Sanitation trucks will not traverse down streets with standing water.

    SEWERAGE & WATER BOARD
    All 24 sewerage and water board drainage pump stations are 100% operational. Backup generators at the Sewerage and Water Board facilities are on site and available as needed.

    PARKING
    The City is allowing residents to secure their vehicles on the neutral ground throughout the weather event. Residents should not park under trees, on tree roots, on levees, or on street car tracks. Any vehicles parked on the levees or streetcar lines will be towed.

    ENTERGY
    According to Entergy, it has activated its emergency response center, pre-staged all equipment and activated mutual assistance agreements with other agencies. Customers are encouraged to go to http://www.entergy.com/ to sign up for text messages. Residents may call 1-800-9OUTAGE to report outages or downed power lines.

    PUBLIC WORKS & CAPITAL PROJECTS
    The Department of Public Works has contractors and staff on standby for road repair and debris removal. Catch basin trucks are out cleaning catch basins. City project construction sites are being secured in preparation for severe weather.

    LIBRARIES
    New Orleans Public Library locations will be open Saturday, October 5.

    NORDC
    NORDC recreation centers will be closed on Saturday, October 5.

    NORDC tennis centers and aquatics facilities will be closed on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6.

    NORDC Movies in the Park event scheduled for Friday, October 4 at Stallings Playground is cancelled.

    NORDC little league football games scheduled for Friday, October 4 and Saturday, October 5 are cancelled.

    NOLA FOR LIFE Midnight Basketball scheduled for Saturday, October 5 at Tremé Center is cancelled.

    NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
    The New Orleans International Airport is completely operational at this time and is in constant communication with airlines. Travelers are encouraged to check individual airlines websites for latest information on delays and cancelations.

    VISITOR ATTRACTIONS
    New Orleans hotels remain open. City officials are in contact with hotels and conventions in town in order to ensure safety of New Orleans visitors as well as New Orleans residents. The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau provide hospitality industry updates on their webpage at http://www.facebook.com/NewOrleansCVB.

    EMERGENCY SUPPLY KITS
    According to Emergency Preparedness officials, families should build an emergency supply kit at home that includes:

    • Water (one gallon per person, per day for at least 3 days)
    • Non-perishable food (three-day supply for evacuation)
    • Non-electric can opener for food
    • Radio (battery-powered or hand crank)
    • Flashlights
    • Batteries
    • First aid kit (medications and medical supplies, seven-day supply)
    • Whistle
    • Dust masks
    • Sanitation items
    • Personal hygiene items
    • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
    • Maps
    • Important family documents

    READY.NOLA.GOV
    Citizens are encouraged to sign up for email and text message alerts by going to ready.nola.gov. This service allows City officials to contact citizens during emergencies, which includes life-threatening weather events, evacuation or shelter in place information, and other pertinent emergency information. In addition to the website, the City operates a Twitter handle: @nolaready.

    IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO KNOW

    • For life threatening emergencies, call 911
    • To report a non-life threatening problem or to get information, call 311
    • Report standing water in streets or downed traffic signals, call 504-821-2222
    • Sewerage and Water Boards 24/7 line, call 504-529-2837
    • To report power outages, call 1-800-968-8243 (1-800-9OUTAGE)
    • Report levee issues on the East Bank to Orleans Levee District Police at 504-283-9800 and on the West Bank call the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority West at 504-340-0318

  • Stay informed by downloading the Entergy App on your smartphone entergy.com/app, or register to receive text message updates by sending the message REG to 368374 from your cellphone.

    Call 1-800-9-OUTAGE (1-800-968-8243) to report a power outage.

    You can also download the American Red Cross Hurricane App here, and review their Hurricane Checklist here.

    Residents should call 911 ONLY for life-threatening emergencies.

    The City is allowing residents to secure their vehicles on the neutral ground throughout the weather event. Residents should not park under trees, on tree roots, on levees, or on street car tracks. Any vehicles parked on the levees or streetcar lines will be towed.

    • For life threatening emergencies, call 911
    • To report a non-life threatening problem or to get information, call 311
    • Report standing water in streets or downed traffic signals, call 504-821-2222
    • Sewerage and Water Boards 24/7 line, call 504-529-2837
    • To report power outages, call 1-800-968-8243 (1-800-9OUTAGE)
    • Report levee issues on the East Bank to Orleans Levee District Police at 504-283-9800 and on the West Bank call the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority West at 504-340-0318

STAY STEADY and BE READY

by

Make a Plan
The reality of a disaster situation is that you will likely not have access to everyday conveniences. To plan in advance, think through the details of your everyday life.
Develop a Family Emergency Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another and review what you will do in different situations.
Consider a plan where each family member calls, or e-mails, the same friend or relative in the event of an emergency. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members. Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the attack, the first important decision is whether you stay put or get away. You should understand and plan for both possibilities.
Watch television and listen to the radio for official instructions as they become available.

 

Create a Personal Support Network: If you anticipate needing assistance during a disaster, ask family, friends and others to be part of your plan. Share each aspect of your emergency plan with everyone in your group, including a friend or relative in another area who would not be impacted by the same emergency who can help if necessary. Include the names and numbers of everyone in your personal support network, as well as your medical providers in your emergency supply kit. Make sure that someone in your personal support network has an extra key to your home and knows where you keep your emergency supplies. If you use a wheelchair or other medical equipment, show friends how to use these devices so they can move you if necessary and teach them how to use any lifesaving equipment or administer medicine in case of an emergency. Practice your plan with those who have agreed to be part of your personal support network. Inform your employer and co-workers about your disability and let them know specifically what assistance you will need in an emergency. Talk about communication difficulties, physical limitations, equipment instructions and medication procedures. Always participate in trainings and emergency drills offered by your employer.

Consider Your Service Animal or Pets: Whether you decide to stay put or evacuate, you will need to make plans in advance for your service animal and pets. Keep in mind that what’s best for you is typically what’s best for your animals. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you, if possible. However, if you are going to a public shelter, make sure that they allow pets. Some only allow service animals. Fire Safety: Plan two ways out of every room in case of fire. Check for items such as bookcases, hanging pictures or overhead lights that could fall and block an escape path.

Create a Plan to Shelter-in-Place: There are circumstances when staying put and creating a barrier between yourself and potentially contaminated air outside, a process known as sheltering-in-place and sealing the room can be a matter of survival. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if local authorities say the air is badly contaminated, you may want to shelter-in-place and seal the room. Consider precutting plastic sheeting to seal windows, doors and air vents. Each piece should be several inches larger than the space you want to cover so that you can duct tape it flat against the wall. Label each piece with the location of where it fits. Immediately turn off air conditioning, forced air heating systems, exhaust fans and clothes dryers. Take your emergency supplies and go into the room you have designated. Seal all windows, doors and vents. Understand that sealing the room is a temporary measure to create a barrier between you and contaminated air. Listen to the radio for instructions from local emergency management officials.

Create a Plan to Get Away: Plan in advance how you will assemble your family and anticipate where you will go. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency. Become familiar with alternate routes as well as other means of transportation out of your area. If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to. If you typically rely on elevators, have a back-up plan in case they are not working. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together.

You may want to consider evacuating with help of Evacuteer.org. This is a new resource designed to help New Orleans residents safely evacuate. As travel around the city, you will notice the addition of 14-foot sculptures in your neighborhoods. These art pieces resembling waving figures are the culmination of art and functionality. These are designated evacuation pickup points (EvacuSpots) across the city. In the event of an evacuation, these EvacuSpots will be run by Evacuteers who will register and assist evacuees with luggage and pets at each of the locations.

The Evacuteer EvacuSpots look like the image below.

The EvacuSpots are located at the:

  • Arthur Mondy Center (West Bank)
  • Kingsley House (Lower Garden District) 
  • Central City Senior Center (Central City)
  • Mater Dolorosa (Carrollton)
  • Smith Library Bus Stop (Lakeview)
  • Palmer Park (Carrollton)
  • McMain High School (Broadmoor)
  • Lyons Community Center (Irish Channel)
  • Dryades YMCA (Central City)
  • Warren Easton High School (Mid City)
  • Municipal Auditorium (Treme)
  • O. Perry Walker High School (West Bank)
  • Stallings Community Center (Bywater)
  • Sanchez Center (Lower 9th Ward)
  • Gentilly Mall Parking Lot (Gentilly)
  • New Orleans East Library
  • Mary Queen of Vietnam Church (New Orleans East)

Get WATER | BATTERIES | MEDICINE

  •  And, even if you have done it already, CLEAN THAT CATCH BASIN near your home. It gets re-clogged after every rain event. The pumps can’t pump what they can’t get.***In the midst of hurricane preparations it’s easy to forget the simple stuff. If your trash pickup days are Monday and Thursday, don’t forget to put out the can.  If the hurricane arrives, it might be a while before trash pickup resumes.

    ***

    With any calamity anywhere there are always opportunists.  Bring in anything that could be transformed into a missle or be of value to an opportunist.

Neighbor Conrad Abadie says, “If you have an icemaker in your refrigerator, you might want to empty it into a small ice chest. It should come in handy when you lose power and will keep you from having to open the refrigerator.”

***

Neighbor Bill Dalton sent in this interesting link to the Google Crisis Map for  the United States —> http://google.org/crisismap/

***

Neighbor Eileen Duke made this suggestion on the Yahoo group:

“For those that are staying, let’s please watch out for people casing our neighborhood… I’m not suggesting that anyone confront trespassers on properties other than their own, but we could at least sound a car alarm if we see someone entering someone’s backyard, etc. That could be a signal of sorts.”

***

Neighbor Vince Booth sent in this link for traffic information:

http://i10highway.com/i-10-traffic/new_orleans.html

***

And, one of the things you should be doing on a regular basis is cleaning that catch basin near your home. Check out the link below for more information:

https://fsjna.org/2012/05/free-protection/

The pumps can’t pump what the pumps can’t get. Clean that catch basin today.

***

Hurricane Hunters on TWITTER —> https://twitter.com/NOAA_HurrHunter

***

Call 1-800-9-OUTAGE (1-800-968-8243) for downed power lines or gas leaks.

***

Louisiana contraflow lane reversals start 30 hours before the onset of tropical winds. A local software team has created a Google Maps mashup to make the state’s contraflow evacuation routes easier to understand.

Visit contraflowmaps.com to plan your route.

***

Please visit www.getagameplan.org and www.gohsep.la.gov to get detailed information on building a family emergency plan, emergency supplies, and evacuation information. Ready.gov is available with FEMA preparedness information. The city’s 311 system will be up and active during this storm. Please report any non-emergency issues to 311 including downed trees, signs and traffic light outages.

Whether it’s a boil water advisory or hurricane alerts, you need to be ready… NOLA READY! Learn more by visiting the links below.

nola-ready

 

On the Web – http://new.nola.gov/ready/

 

Via Email – http://new.nola.gov/ready/emergency-alerts/

 

On Twitter – https://twitter.com/nolaready

 

On Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NOHSEP

 

Readiness starts with you

Whether manmade or natural, every emergency situation is different, and requires both citizen and City to be prepared. From the Final Four to the Super Bowl, all-hazards alerts to hurricane evacuations, 24/7, 365 days a year, agencies across the City of New Orleans work to keep you safe and our city prepared for any event or emergency.

For our City to be ready, our citizens must be ready.

We must take all take important steps to prepare for an emergency. At NOLA Ready, we provide all the information residents need to travel their own road to being ready, including how to:

City-Assisted Evacuation

City-Assisted Evacuation assists Orleans Parish residents and/or tourists who cannot self-evacuate during a mandatory City-wide evacuation by providing transportation from designated City evacuation pick-up points to the Union Pacific Terminal bus station, for outbound transportation to State and Federal shelters. Learn more here.

Sign the NOLA Ready pledge

Join Mayor Mitch Landrieu and make a commitment to the City committed to you. Make a Plan. Mark Your Name.

Because I love New Orleans, I know how I will leave New Orleans. I am New Orleanian. I am NOLA Ready.

Sign the Pledge

Get notified: Emergency Alerts

Accurate, immediate information, straight from the City of New Orleans to you via text, call, or email. NOLA Ready is the CIty of New Orleans’ emergency alert system and official source of information about every emergency situation, from power electrical outages to hurricane evacuations. What you need to know, when you need to know it, wherever you need to know it. Sign up here.

 

 

A CHECKLIST OF ITEMS FOR HURRICANE PREPARATION

 

  • Prescription medication for a month
  • Aspirin and non-prescription medicine
  • FIRST AID KIT
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • CASH
  • Drinking water (2 gallons per day per person)
  • Containers for storing water
  • Non-perishable food
  • Eating utensils, paper plates and towels
  • Baby supplies (up to 3 weeks)
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Battery powered TV or radio
  • TOILET PAPER
  • Boards for your windows
  • Matches
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Lantern with extra fuel
  • Fuel for your generator or saw
  • Aluminum foil
  • INSECT REPELLENT
  • Month’s supply of pet food
  • Cat litter
  • Tools and shovel
  • Latex and regular work gloves
  • SIGNAL LIGHT
  • AX IN ATTIC
  • Rope or heavy cord
  • DISINFECTANT
  • Toiletries and feminine supplies
  • Soap and liquid detergent
  • Household bleach without lemon
  • GARBAGE BAGS
  • Sturdy work shoes or work boots
  • RAIN GEAR AND A CHANGE OF CLOTHES
  • Have a plan of action for your pets. Many shelters will not take them. Call the SPCA for more information to help you prepare for evacuating your pets… (504) 368-5191.
  • http://www.la-spca.org

EVACUTEER

by

EVACUTEER1photo courtesy Kirsten & Allie Kirsten & Allie said, Its pose seems symbolic as much as aesthetic, drawing people to it as if to say, “stick with me and I will guide you.” And that’s exactly what the statue does, because it marks an ‘EvacuSpot.’ Check out their article about EVACUTEER at: http://adaptationstories.com/2013/07/18/new-orleans-gives-evacuation-plan-an-artists-touch/

Evacuteer.org recruits, trains, and manages evacuation volunteers who assist with New Orleans’ mandatory evacuations.

 During an activation, volunteers work to move 30,000+ citizens without access to reliable transportation. Evacuteers work at each one of the 17 EvacuSpots, at the Union Passenger Terminal for evacuee processing, and at City Hall to assist with the 311 Call Center. Future Evacuteers attend a 1.5 hour training which details the roles they may fill during a mandatory evacuation.

Evacuteer Training

  • Evacuteer Training

    July 27, 2013 11:00 am

  • Evacuteer Training at Healing Center

    July 27, 2013 11:00 am      to 1:00 pm

  • Gentilly Partner Group Evacuteer Training

    July 27, 2013 11:00 am      to 1:00 pm

  • Evacuteer Training

    July 30, 2013 5:30 pm

  • Evacuteer Training

    August 3, 2013 11:00 am

  • Evacuteer Training at Healing Center

    August 3, 2013 11:00 am      to 1:00 pm

  • Evacuteer Training

    August 13, 2013 5:30 pm

  • Evacuteer Training

    August 24, 2013 11:00 am

  • Evacuteer Training

    August 27, 2013 5:30 pm

  • Evacuteer Training

    August 31, 2013 5:30 pm

FEMA ASSISTANCE

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from State Representative Jared Brossett

FEMA Approves Individual Assistance
for Five Louisiana Parishes Impacted
by Hurricane Isaac

BATON ROUGE — At the request of the State of Louisiana, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved Individual Assistance for five Louisiana parishes affected by Hurricane Isaac. This means residents of Assumption, St Helena, St James, Terrebonne and Washington parishes who suffered damages are now eligible for FEMA assistance.

Louisiana requested these parishes be added to the state’s declaration last week. This addition brings the total number of parishes declared for IA to 16. Residents in the following Louisiana parishes may be eligible for FEMA assistance:

Ascension, Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St Helena, St James, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne and Washington.

HOW TO APPLY:
FEMA assistance is for residents of affected areas who sustained uninsured or underinsured Isaac-related damage to their homes, vehicles, personal property, business or its inventory beginning Aug. 26, 2012.

Louisiana residents can apply for disaster assistance in two ways: by applying online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or calling 1-800-621-3362. Residents with speech or hearing impairments should call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Users of 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 1-800-621-3362.

DSNAP
The State of Louisiana will request that Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) benefits be approved for these five parishes. Right now, residents of these parishes are not eligible for benefits.

Only residents of the following 9 parishes are eligible for DSNAP right now: Ascension, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. John the Baptist and St. Tammany. Starting on September 8, residents of St. Charles and Tangipahoa parishes will be eligible for DSNAP benefits.

The State encourages residents to pre-apply for DSNAP benefits to ease the process if they become available in a parish. To pre-apply, residents can call the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) customer call center, 1-888-LAHELP-U (1-888-524-3578) the hotline and select their language and then options 3 and 3 from the menu. Online pre-application also is available at www.dcfs.la.gov/preapply or www.getagameplan.org.

DCFS has extended its hours or the agency’s customer call center to 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

PENDING REQUESTS:
Louisiana has also requested IA assistance for seven additional parishes, which is still pending FEMA approval. These are: East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, St. Mary, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes.

Councilmember Guidry is On the Job

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Dear Residents and Friends of District “A”,
My staff and I are continuing to reach out to our District “A” neighborhoods to help get out critical information during this difficult and extended time of hurricane recovery.

If you are receiving this communication from me, please share it with your neighbors who may not have access to computers and email. Please reach out and check on neighbors, particularly the elderly or those with special medical needs. The special medical needs phone number is 658-2500.

RECOVERY SUPPLIES AVAILABLE AT 6 SITES The Louisiana National Guard has now opened a total of six emergency Point of Distribution (POD) sites where critical supplies are available.

Three new locations are:
The Municipal Auditorium at 1451 Basin Street – NOTE: line up on Basin Street;
Tad Gormley Stadium in City Park at 5120 Marconi Drive; and
Old Engine 31 in Venetian Isles at 4300 Alba Road (Opening Sunday).

The three previously opened POD sites are:
5501 Read Blvd in New Orleans East near the intersection of Read and Lake Forest Blvd;
2730 Vespasian Blvd on the West Bank; and
700 Poland Avenue, the Port of Embarkation in the Bywater – NOTE: line up along Chartres Street.
POD sites are open 6 am to 8 pm, or while daylight allows, until further notice. Sites will distribute water, ice, ready-to-eat meals (MREs) and tarps. Individuals who drive up MUST remain in their vehicles to expedite the process. People without cars will be allowed to walk up to POD sites in a pedestrian lane.

ENTERGY NEW ORLEANS UPDATES
Here is the most recent information my office has received from Entergy as of today, Sept. 1, at 2pm. Entergy has released a list of District A neighborhoods where they are currently working to restore the circuit/feeders. Entergy has informed us that portions of the neighborhoods listed should have lights by this evening.

COUNCIL DISTRICT | NEIGHBORHOOD | FEEDER

A | Audubon University | B0525
A | Audubon University/East Carrolton | 2013
A-B | Audubon University/Uptown | 1917
A | Audubon/East Carrolton/Leonidas-West Carrolton | 2014
A-B | Audubon/Freret/Uptown/West Riverside | 1927
A-B | Audubon/Uptown/West Riverside | 1913
A | Audubon/West Riverside | 1914
A | Audubon/Holley Grove/Leonidas-West Carrolton/Marlyville-Fountainbleu | 2016
A | City Park/Mid City/Parkview | 2011
A-D | Dillard/Filmore/St. Bernard Area-Project/St. Roch | 1703
A-C-D | Gentilly Terrace/St. Claude/St. Roch | 613
A-C-D | Marigny/7th Ward | 614

As of last night, Friday, August 31, at 9:00 p.m., Entergy reported that they have repaired feeders in neighborhoods in the areas of: Lakeview, Audubon Park between the river and Broadway, and Napoleon.

Entergy crews have worked on feeders that serve every district and District A neighborhoods are continuing to report to my office that power is coming back on. Entergy has informed us that because there was much less damage in District E, their crews have been able to get to more areas there. By comparison, because there are so many trees in District A, we have experienced much more damage and the feeders are longer with more tree issues. Repairing these feeders is a critical part of the restoration process and will facilitate Entergy’s ability to get power back to houses and businesses.

CITY COUNCIL UTILITY COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY

The City Council will hold a Utility Committee meeting on Tuesday, September 4th at 10:30 a.m. to question Entergy on its preparedness, procedures, and response.

Remember to please call 311 to report power lines down, street flooding, debris removal, or other issues. My office number is 658-1010. There is also updated emergency information and lists of open businesses and additional resources at the city’s website at: http://ready.nola.gov

Thank you all again for continuing to reach out to your neighbors.
Susan G. Guidry
New Orleans
Councilmember, District “A”
(504) 658-1010
(504) 658-1016 (fax)
[email protected]

***

Dear Residents and Friends of District “A” –

My staff and I have been on duty daily since Monday working with the Mayor and other emergency responders to coordinate efforts in District “A”, to help facilitate that District “A” services will be back up and fully operational as soon as possible.

If you are in need of emergency services – please call 911. Please call 311 to report power lines down, street flooding, debris removal, or other issues. The city is using 311 reports to track areas of concern and to schedule city responses.

My staff and I will be out in the district today, our office is staffed, and we can be reached at 658-1010.

You can get a great deal of up-to-date information and also sign up for emergency alerts at the city’s emergency website at: http://ready.nola.gov
Please see the following list of non-emergency numbers that may be helpful to you:

City of New Orleans Non-Emergency Hotline: Dial 311

Entergy
1-800-ENTERGY ((800) 368-3749)
Power Outages: (800) 9OUTAGE ((800) 968-8243)

Louisiana State Police
(225) 925-6325 or *LSP from any cell phone

Louisiana State Police Road Closure Hotline
(800) 469-4828

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
(800) 621-3362

National Weather Service Forecast Office
(New Orleans/Baton Rouge) – (504) 522-7330
(Lake Charles) – (337) 477-5285

American Red Cross
1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
Shelter Locator: http://www.redcross.org/find-help/shelter
Please be patient as we all continue to work together to get our city back up and operational and most importantly, stay safe.

Sincerely,
Susan G. Guidry

A Message from State Representative Brossett

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UPDATE AUGUST 30th: List from Jared Brossett of stores open for food and gas
Stores Opened:
Business | Service Address | Area Contact
Rouse’s Grocery 4500 Tchoupitoulas Uptown (504) 896-7910
Rouse’s Grocery 701 Baronne Street Downtown (504) 227-3838
Rouse’s Grocery 701 Royal Street French Quarters (504) 523-1353
Rouse’s Grocery 400 N. Carrollton Ave. Mid-City (504) 488-2129
Rouse’s Grocery 6600 Franklin Avenue Lake Front (504) 288-1600
Rouse’s Grocery 4001 General De Gaulle Drive Algiers (504) 361-5557
Winn Dixie Grocery 5400 Tchoupitoulas Street Uptown (504) 895-2966
Winn Dixie Grocery 4600 Chef Menteur Highway Gentilly (504) 947-0212
Winn Dixie Grocery 701 Chef Menteur Highway New Orleans East (504) 244-0701
Winn Dixie Grocery 3008 Holiday Dr Algiers (504) 398-0313
Langenstein’s Grocery 1330 Arabella Street Uptown (504) 899-9283 Open til 6
Robert Fresh Market Grocery 8115 South Claiborne Ave Uptown (504) 488-0536 Open 10-6
Robert Fresh Market Grocery 135 Robert E. Lee Blvd. Lake Front (504) 282-3428 Open 10-6
Whole Foods Grocery 5600 Magazine Street Uptown (504) 899-9119 Open til 6
Walgreens Pharmacy 900 Canal Street Downtown (504) 568-1271
Walgreens Pharmacy 134 Royal Street French Quarters (504) 525-2180
Walgreens Pharmacy 619 Decatur Street French Quarters (504) 525-7264
Walgreens Pharmacy 101 Robert E. Lee New Orleans East (504) 282-2203
Walgreens Pharmacy 11297 Lake Forest Blvd New Orleans East (504)248-2898
Home Depot Home Repairs 11000 South Clairborne Ave. Downtown (504)592-1251
Home Depot Home Repairs 500 North Carrollton Avenue Mid-City (504) 482-1985
Home Depot Home Repairs 12300 Interstate 10 Service Road New Orleans East (504) 246-4572
Lowe’s Home Repairs 2501 Elysian Fields Avenue Gentilly (504) 948-8568 Open til 4:30
Lowe’s Home Repairs 5770 Read Boulevard, New Orleans East (504) 613-1800 Open til 5
Exxon Gas Station 704 Howard Avenue Downtown (504) 522-0574
Shell Gas Station 3901 Downman Rd New Orleans East 504-242-4232
Shell Gas Station 6001 Magazine Street Uptown (504) 895-8200
Shell Gas Station 3494 Esplanade Ave Mid-City
Magnolia Discount Gas Station 3415 South Carrolton Ave

Good Afternoon,

Hurricane Isaac is on its way towards the Mississippi River Delta and expected to make landfall tonight as a strong Category 1 hurricane, pushing toward a 7 p.m. landfall. The storm will continue to slowly head for New Orleans at 10 mph, packing 75 mph winds. The bulk of rain is expected to come late Tuesday and Wednesday. 12-16 inches of rain is expected in total, which will result in street flooding. Mayor Landrieu and Governor Jindal have both declared a state of emergency and have mobilized city and state agencies to prepare for a significant storm and be ready to respond quickly in case of emergencies. All Orleans Parish Public, RSD and Catholic elementary & high schools have announced that they will be closed through Thursday.

Wind speed is estimated to reach a maximum of 80 MPH

For your own safety, the City of New Orleans has announced that you will be ticketed if you are driving faster than 5 miles per hour on flooded streets in New Orleans. If the car exceeds 5 miles an hour, the driver might lose control of the vehicle. There’s also a possibility that the waves the car creates will seep into other residents’ cars, homes or businesses, possibly causing costly damages. A citation for violating the ordinance will cost no less than $200 in fines plus court fees. The City is also allowing residents to park their cars on the neutral ground for the duration of the storm to prevent flooding.

I encourage you to stay indoors during this storm. No one should venture out on foot or in their cars unless it is an absolute emergency. Lakeshore Drive and the West End area in New Orleans were rendered inaccessible to cars late Monday night, when the Orleans Levee District closed five floodgates in that area. The city has also banned parking of vehicles on the Industrial Canal levee after 10 a.m., and said violators would have their cars towed. RTA bus service will continue until winds reach 25 mph.
The City’s 311 service is operating 24/7 for general information and to report non-life threatening emergencies such as: sidewalk and road problems, fallen debris, and street light outages. The sanitation department reminds all residents to secure their trashcans to prevent damage to their homes.

Residents should call 911 ONLY for life-threatening emergencies.
The Health Department transported patients with special needs to shelters in Baton Rouge if they wished to leave. If residents have mental health needs or issues please call 1-800-424-4399, staff will be available to assist throughout the storm.

All 24 Sewerage & Water Board pumps are 100% operational, and backup generators at the Sewerage & Water Board Plant are active. The pumps can drain 1 inch every one hour and then 1/2 inch every hour thereafter. These pumps and pump operators will be active and working through the whole storm. With the amount of rain expected there is a high potential for widespread flooding. Motorists can also obtain information regarding road closures by contacting DOTD’s Customer Service Center at [email protected], 1-877-4LA-DOTD (1-877-452-3683) or (225) 379-1232. Business hours are 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Louisiana Department of Insurance has activated their call center hotline in anticipation of Hurricane Isaac. All insurance questions can be directed to 1 800.259.5300. Also you can also submit questions by e-mail at [email protected]

Entergy has activated its emergency response center. Customers are encouraged to go to www.entergy.com to sign up for text messages. Residents should call 1-800-9OUTAGE to report outages or downed power lines.

Louisiana price gouging laws are in effect from August 26, 2012 through Tuesday, September 25, 2012, following the state of emergency declaration from Governor Bobby Jindal. Price gouging occurs when a seller prices merchandise much higher than is reasonable or fair. The price gouging statute prohibits the raising of prices above the pre-emergency levels unless there is a national or regional market commodity shortage. If you suspect price gouging, please contact the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office at 800-351-4889.
Prepare to shelter in place with supplies needed in the event of loss of water and/ or power. READY.NOLA.GOV has extensive information on how to shelter in place. Citizens are encouraged to sign up for email and text message alerts by going to http://new.nola.gov/ready. This service allows city officials to contact citizens during emergencies, which includes life-threatening weather events, evacuation or shelter in place information, and other pertinent emergency information. In addition to the website, the City operates a twitter handle: @nolaready.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO KNOW

• For life threatening emergencies, call 911

• To report a non-life threatening problem or to get information, call 311

• Non-life threatening crime, call 504-821-2222

• Sewerage and Water Boards 24/7 line, call 504-529-2837

• To report power outages, call 1-800-968-8243 (1-800-9OUTAGE)

• Report levee issues on the East Bank to Orleans Levee District Police at 504-283-9800 and on the West Bank call the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority West at 504-340-0318

We have invested $14.5 billion to upgrade and rebuild our flood protection systems in New Orleans. Check out the graphic below from the Times-Picayune.

Be Prepared | Not Scared

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photos and video by Charlie London unless otherwise indicated
9pm Tuesday from Bob Breck at WVUE-TV: Isaac has essentially stalled, moving slightly southwest over the last couple of hours. 10 pm Tuesday: Bob Breck: radar image indicates storm is showing some movement again toward the northwest –after essentially stalling
Neighbor Eileen Duke suggests, “Toilet won’t flush? Simply line your toilet, over the lid, with a 13 gallon kitchen garbage bag. The ideal situation would be to first scour the toilet — making it squeaky clean! The best time to do this is at the first indication that toilets are not flushing normally. Keep a clean bucket handy to escort this out of the house and into the trash.”

Neighbor Jim Danner wrote at 7:51 pm 2012aug28 on the Yahoo group, “Winds at Lakefront Airport are 46 MPH sustained gusting to 63 MPH”.

“hrdouv” writes on the Yahoo group at 6:49 pm: “Pecan tree down in back of 1120 N. Dupre St.”


Power outage map —> http://viewoutage.entergy.com/nola.aspx


Leading edge of Isaac as it approaches Zephyr Stadium at 6:30 a.m. on August 28th. Photo by Charlie London

Neighbor Conrad Abadie says, “If you have an icemaker in your refrigerator, you might want to empty it into a small ice chest. It should come in handy when you lose power and will keep you from having to open the refrigerator.”
***
Neighbor Bill Dalton sent in this interesting link to the Google Crisis Map for Hurricane Isaac —> http://google.org/crisismap/2012-tropical-system-isaac
***
New Orleans Museum of Art will be closed Tuesday, August 28 – Wednesday, August 29
due to Tropical Storm Isaac. NOMA & Besthoff Sculpture Garden will re-open to the public, weather permitting, on Thursday, August 30 at 10 am.
***
Deutsches Haus will be closed this Wednesday and possibly open Thursday.
***
Neighbor Eileen Duke made this suggestion on the Yahoo group:
“For those that are staying, let’s please watch out for people casing our neighborhood… I’m not suggesting that anyone confront trespassers on properties other than their own, but we could at least sound a car alarm if we see someone entering someone’s backyard, etc. That could be a signal of sorts.”
***
Neighbor Vince Booth sent in this link for traffic information:
http://i10highway.com/i-10-traffic/new_orleans.html
***
Hurricane Hunters on TWITTER —> https://twitter.com/NOAA_HurrHunter
***
Call 1-800-9-OUTAGE (1-800-968-8243) for downed power lines or gas leaks.
***
Louisiana contraflow lane reversals start 30 hours before the onset of
tropical winds. A local software team has created a Google Maps mashup
to make the state’s contraflow evacuation routes easier to understand.
Visit contraflowmaps.com to plan your route.
***
Please visit www.getagameplan.org and www.gohsep.la.gov to get detailed information on building a family emergency plan, emergency supplies, and evacuation information. Ready.gov is available with FEMA preparedness information. The city’s 311 system will be up and active during this storm. Please report any non-emergency issues to 311 including downed trees, signs and traffic light outages.

Computer projections of the hurricane show New Orleans as a place where the hurricane is likely to make landfall. Why not make preparations now?

Be prepared, not scared. Visit the link below for a few suggestions:
https://fsjna.org/2012/06/are-you-ready/

And, one of the things you should be doing on a regular basis is cleaning that catch basin near your home.

Check out the link below for more information:
https://fsjna.org/2012/05/free-protection/

Accurate, immediate information, straight from the City of New Orleans to you via text, call, or email. NOLA Ready is the City of New Orleans’ emergency alert system and official source of information about every emergency situation, from power electrical outages to hurricane evacuations. What you need to know, when you need to know it, wherever you need to know it. Click here to sign up.

More info at: http://new.nola.gov/ready

Get WATER | BATTERIES | MEDICINE

And, even if you have done it already, CLEAN THAT CATCH BASIN near your home. It gets re-clogged after every rain event. The pumps can’t pump what they can’t get.

***

In the midst of hurricane preparations it’s easy to forget the simple stuff. If your trash pickup days are Monday and Thursday, don’t forget to put out the can.
If the hurricane arrives, it might be a while before trash pickup resumes.

***

With any calamity anywhere there are always opportunists. Bring in anything that could be transformed into a missle or be of value to an opportunist.

Magnolia Bridge over Bayou St. John at 1 pm on August 28th.

***
August 27, 2012 – New Orleans, LA – The New Orleans City Council continues to monitor Tropical Storm Isaac and its anticipated impact on the City of New Orleans. The City Council is staying apprised of the storm’s development and working with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Mayor’s Office to ensure that the city is fully prepared.

All residents are asked to take proper precautions to stay out of harm’s way. Each person should have a gallon of water per day for at least three days, as well as non-perishable food items and can openers. Residents are also encouraged to clean catch basins and secure all outdoor furniture. Trash pick-up stopped today and will not resume until later in the week; therefore, all residents are asked to secure their garbage cans and any loose debris.

Streetcars ceased operation at 2 p.m. today (Monday), but buses will stay operational until wind gusts reach 25 mph. Neutral grounds will be open for parking starting this afternoon. Most airlines will cease operation once winds reach 35 or 40 mph.

Louisiana price gouging laws are in effect from August 26, 2012 through Tuesday, September 25, 2012, following the state of emergency declaration from Governor Bobby Jindal. The price gouging statute prohibits the raising of prices above the pre-emergency levels unless there is a national or regional market commodity shortage. If you suspect price gouging, please contact the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office at 800-351-4889.
____________________________________________________________________________________

Important contact info:

Emergency: 911
Non-emergency: 821-2222(NOPD) or 311
Mental health or special medical needs: 658-2500
Entergy: 1-800-9-OUTTAGE to report downed lines, power outage or gas leaks
Log onto entergy.com to sign up for text alerts regarding power restoration timing
Detailed hurricane-readiness information: ready.nola.gov

For additional information, visit www.nolacitycouncil.com and www.nola.gov

New Orleans City Council
The New Orleans City Council is the legislative branch of New Orleans city government. The Council considers and enacts all local laws that govern the City of New Orleans. The Council also approves the operating and capital budgets for the City, as recommended by the mayor, and continually monitors revenues and expenditures for local government operations. The City Council is also the regulatory body for public utilities. It also reviews and has final say on many land use and zoning matters, as well as considers major economic development projects for the City. As a Board of Review for Orleans Parish, the Council examines appeals of property tax assessments for real estate taxes, and certifies tax rolls to the Louisiana Tax Commission. Other responsibilities of the Council include overseeing the operation of the public access television in Orleans Parish.

The City Council is comprised of five districts and two councilmembers-at-large. Council President and Councilmember-at-Large Stacy Head; Council Vice-President and Councilmember-at-Large Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson; District “A” Councilmember Susan Guidry; District “B” Councilmember Diana E. Bajoie; District “C” Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer; District “D” Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell; and District “E” Councilmember Ernest F. Charbonnet.

Add a quick tree inspection to your hurricane to-do list today for the safety of you, neighbors and property:

Check all medium and large trees for dead limbs, hanging snags, and leaning habits. Keep in mind that soggy soil doesn’t hold tree roots as well, and large, leafy canopies can catch a lot of wind, particularly with tall water oaks and red oaks. Note all trees that are located N and NE of your home as hurricane winds typically come from these directions.

If you feel unsafe in your home due to a tree problem, ride out the storm in a neighbor’s home until you can consult a certified arborist. And remember, trees can actually help minimize wind damage to our homes and property when they are well-cared for and planted in the right place. If we take care of them, they’ll help us out too.

 

Whether it’s a boil water advisory or hurricane alerts, you need to be ready… NOLA READY! Learn more by visiting the links below.

nola-ready

 

On the Web – http://new.nola.gov/ready/

 

Via Email – http://new.nola.gov/ready/emergency-alerts/

 

On Twitter – https://twitter.com/nolaready

 

On Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NOHSEP

 

Readiness starts with you

Whether manmade or natural, every emergency situation is different, and requires both citizen and City to be prepared. From the Final Four to the Super Bowl, all-hazards alerts to hurricane evacuations, 24/7, 365 days a year, agencies across the City of New Orleans work to keep you safe and our city prepared for any event or emergency.

For our City to be ready, our citizens must be ready.

We must take all take important steps to prepare for an emergency. At NOLA Ready, we provide all the information residents need to travel their own road to being ready, including how to:

City-Assisted Evacuation

City-Assisted Evacuation assists Orleans Parish residents and/or tourists who cannot self-evacuate during a mandatory City-wide evacuation by providing transportation from designated City evacuation pick-up points to the Union Pacific Terminal bus station, for outbound transportation to State and Federal shelters. Learn more here.

Sign the NOLA Ready pledge

Join Mayor Mitch Landrieu and make a commitment to the City committed to you. Make a Plan. Mark Your Name.

Because I love New Orleans, I know how I will leave New Orleans. I am New Orleanian. I am NOLA Ready.

Sign the Pledge

Get notified: Emergency Alerts

Accurate, immediate information, straight from the City of New Orleans to you via text, call, or email. NOLA Ready is the CIty of New Orleans’ emergency alert system and official source of information about every emergency situation, from power electrical outages to hurricane evacuations. What you need to know, when you need to know it, wherever you need to know it. Sign up here.

 

 

A CHECKLIST OF ITEMS FOR HURRICANE PREPARATION

 

  • Prescription medication for a month
  • Aspirin and non-prescription medicine
  • FIRST AID KIT
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • CASH
  • Drinking water (2 gallons per day per person)
  • Containers for storing water
  • Non-perishable food
  • Eating utensils, paper plates and towels
  • Baby supplies (up to 3 weeks)
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Battery powered TV or radio
  • TOILET PAPER
  • Boards for your windows
  • Matches
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Lantern with extra fuel
  • Fuel for your generator or saw
  • Aluminum foil
  • INSECT REPELLENT
  • Month’s supply of pet food
  • Cat litter
  • Tools and shovel
  • Latex and regular work gloves
  • SIGNAL LIGHT
  • AX IN ATTIC
  • Rope or heavy cord
  • DISINFECTANT
  • Toiletries and feminine supplies
  • Soap and liquid detergent
  • Household bleach without lemon
  • GARBAGE BAGS
  • Sturdy work shoes or work boots
  • RAIN GEAR AND A CHANGE OF CLOTHES
  • Have a plan of action for your pets. Many shelters will not take them. Call the SPCA for more information to help you prepare for evacuating your pets… (504) 368-5191.
  • http://www.la-spca.org

 

Are You Ready?

by

Readiness starts with you

Whether manmade or natural, every emergency situation is different, and requires both citizen and City to be prepared. From the Final Four to the Super Bowl, all-hazards alerts to hurricane evacuations, 24/7, 365 days a year, agencies across the City of New Orleans work to keep you safe and our city prepared for any event or emergency.  

For our City to be ready, our citizens must be ready. 

We must take all take important steps to prepare for an emergency. At NOLA Ready, we provide all the information residents need to travel their own road to being ready, including how to:

City-Assisted Evacuation

City-Assisted Evacuation assists Orleans Parish residents and/or tourists who cannot self-evacuate during a mandatory City-wide evacuation by providing transportation from designated City evacuation pick-up points to the Union Pacific Terminal bus station, for outbound transportation to State and Federal shelters. Learn more here.

Sign the NOLA Ready pledge

Join Mayor Mitch Landrieu and make a commitment to the City committed to you. Make a Plan. Mark Your Name.

Because I love New Orleans, I know how I will leave New Orleans. I am New Orleanian. I am NOLA Ready.

Sign the Pledge

Get notified: Emergency Alerts

Accurate, immediate information, straight from the City of New Orleans to you via text, call, or email.  NOLA Ready is the CIty of New Orleans' emergency alert system and official source of information about every emergency situation, from power electrical outages to hurricane evacuations. What you need to know, when you need to know it, wherever you need to know it. Sign up here.