Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office performs mock hurricane evacuation

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Hurricane season is already underway and Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office officials say they are prepared.

In a mock evacuation with 10 inmates, officials practiced the process of giving out armbands to inmates and recording their names, what bus they’d be on and where they’d be taken.

“It’s important, of course, their family know that we know where they are at, and they are secure at all times. What bus are they in, and where will they be transported to? Residents will not return to this facility until all systems are functioning properly,” said Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson.

Having learned from past hurricanes, the sheriff’s office knows it’s critical to get everyone out as soon as possible.

“We can not wait to make decisions on whether we are going to evacuate those people we are entrusted with caring for who are in our custody. There won’t be any more late decisions,” said OPSO Director of the Compliance and Accountability Bureau Silas Phipps Jr.

In the event they are unable to evacuate in time, generators will be on standby.

“We have two giant diesel and two giant gas-powered generators. They will be active following any storm and they were activated after Hurricane Ida, I think they were the only light in the city on for a number of days,” said Hutson.

Just as the potential for hurricanes can be nerve-wracking for residents, Hutson says the same goes for inmates.

She announced that the department has teamed up with Wexford Health sources to provide inmates with access to mental health experts.

“The news is on in the pods as well so they know what is happening. We want to make sure they don’t experience any type of episodes, so we will be working really closely with our new partners to make sure they are safe,” said Hutson.

Guards and inmates will also be spread out at different DOC facilities, three days before a potential hurricane hits.

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