Safety Tips to Consider When a Hurricane Warning Is Issued

  • Start by creating an emergency kit with enough food, water, and supplies for at least 3 days.
  • If a warning is given, stay tuned to radio or TV for official bulletins.
  • Secure lawn furniture and other loose material outdoors.
  • Fill the bathtub with several days supply of drinking water.
  • Turn up the refrigerator to maximum cold and don’t open it unless necessary.
  • Wedge sliding glass doors to prevent their lifting from their tracks.
  • Check batteries in flashlights, stock up on canned foods, and make sure you have plenty of medical supplies.
  • Windows should be secured with either plywood or shutters.
  • If local authorities recommend evacuation, you should drive carefully to the nearest designated shelter using recommended evacuation routes.
  • Make sure the house is locked and the water and electricity is shut off at main stations.
  • Leave food and water for pets, since many shelters do not allow them.
  • Take small valuables with you, but travel light.
  • If you’ve evacuated the area, wait for public officials to say it is safe before returning.
  • Open the freezer door as little as possible.
  • With a freezer that’s full, foods can stay frozen up to 72 hours.
  • A half-full freezer can still keep food frozen up to 24 hours after the power goes out.
  • Should the power stay off for several days, dry ice can preserve the food in the freezer.
  • Stay away from downed power lines.
  • Call the South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association (SLECA) office to report a downed line, outage or any hazardous situation.
  • SLECA’s crews will be on the job 24 hours a day.