Preparation is a hurricane season necessity

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By Harlan Kirgan
Editor
In south Louisiana it is difficult to avoid mosquitoes and it is also nearly impossible to escape experiencing a hurricane.
And, like spraying or covering up to ward off mosquitoes, preparation is important in dealing with hurricanes.
Lisa Vidrine, St. Landry Parish director of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said the most important thing citizens can do is prepare for a hurricane or any other disaster.
Vidrine spoke at the June 12 Eunice Board of Aldermen’s meeting.
People should seek out information to get themselves and their family ready for when disaster strikes.
Vidrine, who said she is in her 15th year in her job, said a kit is one of the most important things to have to respond to a hurricane or any other disaster.
“You need to make sure you are stocking some provisions, some essentials at your house that would absolutely need in case of a disaster,” she said.
“This applies to any type of disaster,” she said.
The disaster could including flooding or a man-made crisis such as the train derailment that occurred in Eunice in 2000.
“We always recommend non-perishable food items,” she said.
One gallon of water per day, per person is needed.
“You need to make sure you have that,” she said.
Other essential supplies include a flashlight and battery-operated radio, she said.
“You’ll also want to keep your important papers together and put those in a the kit and put them in a waterproof Ziplock bag,” she said.
Important papers may include insurance, medical, banking, Social Security and birth certificates, she said.
It is also important to start a communication plan, she said.
“You always need to know where you are going to go,” she said.
“Set up those things in advance,” she said.
People should start considering what evacuation route they plan to take, and how families will stay in touch with each other, she said.
Vidrine recommended planning to take roads other than interstates, which tend to get congested.
Homeowners also should plan to limit the amount of items in the yard that might become dangerous debris in a high-wind event.
Another consideration is to plan for the care of pets. That might include placing pet food in the kit.
Vidrine recommended the public access websites to learn more about preparing for an emergency. Those websites include getagameplan.org for gohsep.la.gov.