Evacuation Information

Establish an Emergency Evacuation Plan

• Plan how you will leave and where you will go if you are advised to evacuate.
• Decide on places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood.
• Identify several places you could go in an emergency, a friend or family member's home in another town or state, a motel or public shelter.
• If you have a vehicle, keep the gas tank full in case you need to evacuate.  Gas stations may be closed during emergencies and unable to pump gas during power outages. Plan to take one car per family to reduce congestion and delay.
• If you do not own an automobile, plan alternate means of evacuating.  Make transportation arrangements to carpool with friends or family who have access to a vehicle.
• Pack an emergency supply kit to be taken with you.
• Make arrangements for your pets in case you need to evacuate. Only service animals may be permitted in public shelters (Seeing Eye dogs, etc).
• Plan to leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.
• Unplug electrical equipment, such as radios and televisions, and small appliances, such as toasters and microwaves. Leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in unless there is a risk of flooding.
• Lock all doors and windows on your house before you leave.
• Plan out the route you will take using recommended evacuation routes.  Do not take shortcuts; they may be blocked or dangerous in rising water.
• Be alert for washed-out roads and bridges. Do not drive into flooded areas.
• Stay away from downed power lines.
• If time allows:
  • Call or email the "out-of-town" contact in your family communications plan.  Tell them where you are going and when you are leaving.
  • Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are evacuating to.
  • Check with neighbors who may need a ride.
• If you are unable to evacuate, stay indoors away from all windows. Take shelter in an interior room with no windows if possible. Be aware that there may be a sudden lull in the storm as the eye of the hurricane moves over. Stay inside until local authorities say it is safe.

Evacuation Definitions

Different levels of evacuation orders may be issued, depending on the ongoing assessment of the strength of the storm and the possible severity of wind damage and flooding. For your own safety, please follow all evacuation orders issued by Lafourche Parish Government.

Recommended

Residents living in low-lying, flood-prone areas are advised to evacuate. The extent of damage and flooding is predicted to be minimal, but tropical weather systems can be very unpredictable. Residents are urged to move to a more secure location.

Voluntary

The approaching storm is predicted to have a definite impact on Lafourche Parish. Residents are strongly urged to move to a more secure location.

Mandatory

Residents in a mandatory evacuation area should move to a more secure location as soon as possible. The approaching storm poses an imminent threat to the evacuation area. ALL BUSINESSES within a Mandatory evacuation area are to close as soon as the evacuation order is issued.

Shelters of Last Resort

Shelters of last resort should only be considered in your evacuation plans if you have no safer place to evacuate to.
Keep in mind that these shelters have occupancy limits and they may close at any time if it is determined that they are no longer safe.
*Please contact the Lafourche Parish Emergency Operations Center @ 537-7603 prior to evacuating to verify that the shelter you are heading to is still open and in operation.

Lafourche Parish Recreation Center

241 Recreation Dr., Raceland, LA 70394

Central Lafourche High School

4820 Hwy 1, Mathews

Thibodaux High School

1355 Tiger Drive, Thibodaux

Lafourche Parish Government

http://www.lafourchegov.org/OEP_Evac-Info.aspx