Basic Preparedness Brochures
You should be prepared for a storm long before it hits the Gulf Coast. Read these brochures about general preparedness before you have to scramble to get prepared.
Talking About Disasters: Guide for Standard Messages (American Red Cross)
FEMA: Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Preparedness (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
FEMA Emergency Preparedness Checklist (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
What Does Flood Insurance Cover? (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Hurricanes-Unleashing Nature's Fury: A Preparedness Guide (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Hurricane Disaster Plan (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Natural Hazards Guide (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Weather Safety: Hurricanes (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Tracking a Hurricane
When a hurricane is in the Gulf of Mexico, it is important to listen to weather reports to determine if the storm is headed toward your area. Use the following maps to track the storm and heed all evacuation pleas from city and state emergency personnel.
How do I track the direction a hurricane is heading?
Atlantic Storm Tracking Map (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Atlantic Storm Tracking Map (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Hurricane Evacuation
If you have been advised by your local government to evacuate, it is for the safety of you and your community members. Please evacuate and encourage your friends and family members to do the same. The following sites are directly related to evacuation procedures.
Why do I need to Evacuate?
Evacuation is the Smartest Move (State of Texas Emergency Management)
The Hazards of Inland Flooding (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
What do I need to do before I evacuate?
Early Planning is Smart Planning (State of Texas Emergency Management)
Stay in Touch: Family Communication Plan Form (US Department of Homeland Security)
Household Room-by Room Inventory Checklist (Mississippi Insurance Department)
Hurricane Preparedness Action Plan (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Hurricane Preparedness Tips- Get a Game Plan! (Louisiana Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness)
What do I take with me when I evacuate?
Emergency Evacuation Plan (American Red Cross)
Disaster Supplies Checklist (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Emergency Preparedness Kit Checklist (Louisiana Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness)
Preparing Your Evacuation Grab & Go Box (Louisiana State University AgCenter)
Tool Kit Needed for Emergency Preparedness (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
What if I do to evacuate a person with special needs?
Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Special Needs (Louisiana Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness)
What food items do I need when I evacuate?
Tips on Food in an Emergency (American Red Cross)
Emergency Food Supplies (American Red Cross)
What do I need to take to an evacuation shelter?
Shelter Supplies Kit (www.bereadyoceansprings.com)
What if I run into high waters while evacuating?
Never Drive Across a Flooded Road (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
The Hidden Danger: Low Water Crossing (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Escape and Rescue from Submerged Vehicles (Lifesaving Resources Inc.)
What do I do with my pets during an evacuation?
Pet Plan (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
What About My Pets? (www.bereadyoceansprings.com)
Evacuations and Household Pets (State of Texas Emergency Management)
Disaster Readiness for Horseowners (Louisiana State University AgCenter)
How do I get my home ready for a storm?
Prepare Early (State of Texas Emergency Management)
Install Generator for Emergency Power (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Before the Storm (www.escambia-emergency.comm)
Avoiding Flood Damage: A Checklist for Homeowners (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Flood Preparation and Safety (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Floods: The Awesome Power (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Protecting Your Windows (Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness)
Avoiding Wind Damage: A Checklist for Homeowners (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Protecting Your Home from the Winds of a Hurricane (www.escambia-emergency.com)
Protecting Garage Doors (Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness)
Utility Shut-off and Safety (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Protecting Valuable Records (www.escambia-emergency.com)
Keeping a Household Inventory and Protecting Valuable Records (University of Florida IFAS Extension)
Protect Business Records and Inventory (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Riding Out the Storm
If the emergency coordinators in your area call for a Mandatory Evacuation, you need to make an evacuation plan and leave the area. Be informed that if you do not evacuate, there may be very little emergency responders can do to help you.
The following links will guide you on how to manage an emergency situation on your own until emergency responders can get to you in situations in which you do not have time to evacuate.
During the Storm (www.bereadyoceansprings.com)
If You Do Not Leave - Establishing a "Safe Place" (University of Florida IFAS Extension)
Flooding (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
The Role of Government in a Disaster (University of Florida IFAS Extension)
Safety is the First Priority
Emergency responders may restrict homeowners from returning for a short time until it is safe to come into the area. Once you are allowed to return to your home keep safety a priority so you remain healthy while making necessary repairs.
Do not Get Hurt After the Storms (Louisiana Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness)
Safety Precautions for Entering Damaged Buildings (www.escambia-emergency.com)
Returning Home after a Disaster: Supply List (Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension)
What do I do if I get hurt?
Basic First Aid (Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension)
How Do I Know When to Call 911? (American Red Cross)
How to Care for Minor and Major Open Wounds (American Red Cross)
Preventing Infection: Tetanus (American Red Cross)
Septic Systems - What to Do after the Flood (Environmental Protection Agecny)
How do I keep my food and water safe?
Water is Vital-Especially after a Disaster (Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension)
Preparing an Emergency Food Supply: Storing Water Supplies (University of Georgia)
Safe Water (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Food and Water Safety During Hurricanes, Power Outages, and Floods (US Food and Drug Administration)
Contaminated Foods (www.escambia-emergency.com)
E.Coli Infection (American Public Health Association)
The trauma of this event has been difficult for me and my family
Disaster Relief: Managing a Traumatic Event (Center for Disease Control)
Helping Children Cope with Disaster (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Clean-Up and Repair of Damaged Property
Cleaning up damaged property can be overwhelming but the following sites can help you come up with a Cleam-Up Plan and prioritize what should be done.
How can I get electric power to start clean-up and repairs?
Using Generators for Electrical Power (Louisiana State University AgCenter)
Emergency Generators (www.escambia-emergency.com)
Checking and Restoring Electrical Service (www.onestorm.com)
Where do I even start cleaning up my property?
Storm Recovery Guide (Louisiana State University AgCenter)
Repair Problems Can Double Storm Losses (Mississippi State University)
Recovering from Disaster (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
After the Storm (www.escambia-emergency.com)
Disaster Relief: Returning Home After a Disaster (Mississippi State University)
Prioritize Clean-Up and Repair After a Storm (www.escambia-emergency.com)
Disaster Relief: Priorities for Cleanup and Repair (Mississippi State University)
What do I do to clean my yard?
Disaster Relief: Clearing Debris from Land (Mississippi State University)
Downed Trees (Louisiana Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness)
Dealing with Storm-Damaged Trees in the Landscape (Louisiana State University AgCenter)
Fact Sheet: Using a Chain Saw Safely (American Red Cross)
Chain Saw Safety: Not Tricks (North Dakota State University)
How do I repair my flooded home?
Safety at the Flood Site (Louisiana State University AgCenter)
Are You FloodSmart? (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Repairing Your Flooded Home (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Choosing a Roofing Contractor (wSouth Caroline Sea Grant Consortium)
Finding and Repairing Leaks in Roofs (www.escambia-emergency.com)
Disaster Relief: Home Cleanup and Renovation for Floors (Mississippi State University)
Disaster Relief: Home Cleanup and Renovation for Walls (Mississippi State University)
How do I salvage the items inside my flooded home?
Disaster Relief: Salvaging Household Furniture (Mississippi State University)
Disaster Relief: Cleaning Household Utensils and Metals and Paper (Mississippi State University)
Disaster Relief: Salvaging Clothing, Carpet and Rugs (Mississippi State University)
What do I do if I suspect mold is in my flooded home?
Mold and Mildew in Your Flood-Damaged Home (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Mold Removal Guidelines for Your Flooded Home (Louisiana State University AgCenter)
Controlling Mold Growth when Cleaning Flooded Homes (Mississippi State University)
Mold Fungi as a Major Impediment to Cleaning/Repairing Flooded Homes (Mississippi State University)