NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The beginning of 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season has begun, and the Pontchartrain Conservancy provided residents with free hurricane preparedness resources and supplies.
“Making sure they know their evacuation routes ahead of time, have a plan in place. Get some resources to make sure their important documents are in a dry storage bag so they can easily grab them. It’s a lot of that type of engagement and encouragement for people to be vigilant and prepared,” said Director of Community Engagement for Pontchartrain Conservancy Cory Miller.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is calling for a very active season. One resident recalls leaving for Hurricane Katrina but enduring Hurricane Ida, and ever since, she tells everyone to be ready.
“So, you can learn more information to prepare yourself. I think they are trying to be more alert, that’s still a lot to go through. You know people learn each time,” said New Orleans resident Ann.
WGNO meteorologist Scot Pilie’ informed residents that whether this hurricane season is active or not, stay prepared. Two key takeaways are to always have a charged phone so you can receive alerts and, most importantly, know your neighbors.
“Building that community, that resource. Let’s hope we don’t have a bad storm, but if we do knowing your neighbors and having a connection with them is so important in the time of a crisis,” said Pilie’.
And when you talk with your neighbors, remind each other how vital it is to keep the drains in the community clean.
“We encourage people to go back to their neighborhood and do a storm drain cleanup. So, get that litter out of the street for the next time we have an inevitable downfall of rain,” said Miller.
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