HURRICANE SEASON

Hurricane Season Is Here — Be Prepared! If you haven’t already, now is the time to get ready. Taking a few simple steps now can make a big difference if a storm threatens. MAKE A PLAN - Know what your family will do if a storm approaches. - Ask yourself: Can your home withstand strong winds? Is it in a flood-prone area? - You don’t always have to travel far, consider staying with family or friends in a stronger home or safer area. - If you have young children, you are elderly or have elderly family members, or you or a loved one has special medical needs, consider relocating early. - Making a plan is about taking responsibility for your and your families safety. BUILD A KIT - Stock up on essentials: food, water, medications, etc. - Include flashlights, batteries, and chargers. - Add important documents and cash. - Be prepared for several days without access to stores, supplies, utilities and internet. PREPARE YOUR HOME - Remove loose outdoor items. - Clean out your gutters and storm drains. - Take care of needed repairs ahead of time. - Consider storm shutters or boarding up windows if a storm is approaching CHECK YOUR INSURANCE POLICIES - Review your coverage now, don’t wait until a storm is coming. - Take photos of your home and belongings. Save photos on a flash drive or to the cloud. - Store important records in a safe place like a water proof box. STAY INFORMED - Follow trusted sources for updates and instructions. - Be cautious of misinformation online, many posts are just for attention, likes, shares, clicks and even making money. For reliable weather updates, check out: National Weather Service - www.weather.gov/neworleans National Hurricane Center - www.nhc.noaa.gov