NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The 2024 hurricane season is upon us, and with the expectation of multiple high-intensity storms coming out of the Gulf, many are already making their preparations.
“Me and my family have a plan where we know exactly where we’re going. If we are going toward Tennessee, if we are going toward Texas,” New Orleans resident Brendell Payton said.
“You never know. It can be a small one in the Gulf and then all of a sudden it gets big and then you’ve got to leave,” resident Darilyn Zoller said.
Red Cross disaster officer Ed Bush says that with some storms this season expected to develop faster than usual, gathering supplies as soon as possible is a must if you plan on staying home.
“Food, water and power; that’s the biggies. Ultimately, life support relies on food, water and shelter and the power because it becomes tricky,” Bush said.
In case of evacuation, adding a pre-made game plan to your preparations is critical for both when you’re packing up and when you’re out on the road.
“I don’t want to have to have that conversation at two o’clock in the morning with a very nervous, scared family trying to figure out where we’re trying to go. Look at a map now and think if we had to head north, here’s where we’re going, west, east, south; and kind of have a little family huddle and talk that through,” Bush said.
Bush says cities and parishes must prepare ahead of time too, making sure plans for suitable shelters are in place come time for a hurricane.
“We’ve been working for months to identify if they have to open a shelter, where that would have to be and let’s get Red Cross in there now and make sure we all know what we have to do if we have to stand it up. I don’t want to do anything if the storm is on us. That’s go time. Planning time was yesterday,” Bush said.
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