Family Hurricane/Evacuation Plan and Disaster Supply Kit

Family Hurricane/Evacuation Plan
Developing a family hurricane/evacuation plan is one of the most important preparation steps toward a safe and timely evacuation. Planning ahead – long before a storm approaches – is crucial to identifying items needed during an evacuation. This plan should be written and kept in an easily-accessible place.

An evacuation plan should include the following:

  • The place(s) where you plan to evacuate
  • Telephone and email contact information of family members
  • A plan for securing your household
  • A plan for securing cash for travel
  • A list of items to take during the evacuation (checklist of items)
    Be sure to include medicines and clothing for at least one week
    Be sure to include food and water for the trip
  • A plan for evacuating each person in the household
  • Items needed in each automobile you will use to evacuate:
    First Aid Kit
    Louisiana Evacuation Guide
    Louisiana Highway Map
    A full tank of fuel

Hurricane Evacuation Box and Disaster Supply Kit
Many people keep their hurricane/evacuation plan in a plastic box along with some of the items the family will take during an evacuation. The box should be easily-accessible and ready for a quick exit.

Items to include in your hurricane box:

  • Copies of the family hurricane/evacuation plan
  • Louisiana Evacuation Guide*
  • Louisiana Highway Map
  • NOAA weather radio (battery operated)
  • Flashlight
  • Spare batteries
  • Hand sanitizer and/or wipes
  • Important family documents
    Bank account and contact numbers
    Insurance policies, contracts, stocks, wills, deeds, titles
    Passports and social security cards
    Immunization and medical records
    Credit card information
    Address book
    Family records (birth and marriage certificates)
    An inventory of valuable household items
    Other documents you may need during an extended evacuation
  • Games or books for the children
  • Family Memory Items
    CD copies of digital photographs
    Copies of family photographs
    Small historic family items/documents

Disaster Supply Kit
Many of the items in your disaster supply kit will be needed for an evacuation. Even if an evacuation is not called, prepare for the loss of power and services during a tropical event.

Items to keep in stock during hurricane season:

  • Water (1 gallon daily per person, 3-7 day supply)
  • Food (3-7 day supply)
  • Non-perishable canned food
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Juice
  • Snack food
  • Flashlights with extra batteries
  • NOAA weather radio**
  • First aid kit
  • Toiletries
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Wipes
  • Rain Gear
  • Louisiana Evacuation Guide*
  • Louisiana Highway Map

See additional Disaster Survival Kit suggestions in the Louisiana Evacuation Guide

*The Louisiana Citizen Awareness & Disaster Evacuation Guide Southeast 2008 Edition gives important details about evacuating from New Orleans. Louisiana utilizes a phased evacuation. Be sure to read about Phase III and the contraflow plan. If an evacuation is called for Jefferson and Orleans parishes, the contraflow plan will be implemented 30 hours before the onset of tropical-forces winds.

**Many NOAA weather radios come equipped with a flashlight and may be recharged with a hand crank. Weather radios may be purchased at most neighborhood pharmacies and department stores.