These are a few necessary items when preparing for a hurricane or planning to evacuate for a hurricane. Plan ahead, and be prepared. It is your behind on the line.

I received this email from a co-worker who has a friend whom works for the American Red Cross. Here is a link to volunteer with the Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the Red Cross.

http://www.arcno.org/index.php?pr=Volunteer 

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Have a personal disaster plan and kit ready.  Doing so will make you prepared for any potential disaster including hurricanes and house fires. 

Make sure you have an out-of-state contact, full tank of gas, medicines, water, and cash as part of your plan and that all family members know what to do.  If you know of individuals who will need assistance help them connect to community resources such as 311.  Include pets as part of your preparedness efforts.

Disaster kit:  (you might not need everything on this list; pick what is important for your family) 

The Red Cross Prepardness Kit

http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/checklist.pdf 

General hurricane preparedness: 

http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html

http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/0305hurricane/

Disaster preparedness for animals:

http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/resources/disaster_preparedness_brochures.html

Treat yourself and loved ones with care and patience while making preparations.

How Families Can Help Children Cope with Fear and Anxiety provides tips for parents to keep the lines of communication with their children open and alerts parents and other caregivers to common signs of fear and anxiety.

To track Hurricane Gustav:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200807_5day.html

http://www.wwltv.com/

City of

New Orleans

free alert system:  (can send email or txt to your phone/computer)

https://www.nolaready.info/index.php?CCheck=1

Evacuation Guidelines and Contraflow map: (you can pick up hard copy maps at local hardware stores and libraries)

http://www.cityofno.com/pg-46-16-hurricane-evacuation.aspx

Stay safe! Live well!

Thank You

Marc Pellettiere