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SBSO PREPARES FOR 2023 HURRICANE SEASON
With the beginning of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season starting tomorrow, St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said southeast Louisiana residents should begin making plans so they can be prepared if a storm threatens our area.
Preparing for hurricane season, which runs June 1 through Nov. 30, should be something residents in our area are accustomed to doing, the Sheriff said.
“We should always be mindful of being prepared for hurricane season,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Remember, we are so close to the Gulf of Mexico, you can’t ignore the possibility of a hurricane.”
With that in mind, Sheriff Pohlmann said, the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office trains year-round for any type of rain event flooding and in case a tropical system threatens our area and possibly forces the evacuation of the parish.
For instance, members of the Sheriff’s Office SWAT team train on various types of boats from the sheriff’s Marine Division in order to be prepared to immediately patrol neighborhoods in case of any type of rain event flooding.
The Sheriff’s Office also has a high-water truck that is ideal for rescue or to haul personnel or equipment to respond to a storm.
In addition to equipment, Sheriff Pohlmann said, various departments within the Sheriff’s Office have plans in place and are ready to execute them if need be.
“In the event that parish government orders an evacuation of residents prior to an approaching storm, we will facilitate those plans and then lock down the parish to prevent non-residents from entering,’’ the Sheriff said.
For our parish to be successful in preparing for a storm, Sheriff Pohlmann said, residents need to do their part as well.
“That’s true for every family in this parish,’’ the Sheriff said. “Don’t wait until you hear a bad storm is approaching before you think about being prepared, such as whether or not you will leave and where you would go if necessary.’’
In the event of an ordered evacuation, Sheriff Pohlmann said, officers will make extra patrols through neighborhoods, as well as by boat along waterways if necessary, to protect property in the parish.
“We don’t want residents making a bad decision to stay simply out of concern over a possible burglar,’’ the Sheriff said.
By preparing now, Sheriff Pohlmann said, residents can avoid the rush at home supply stores and supermarkets, which always get crowded and run out of things as hurricanes or tropical storms approach.
“Don’t wait until the last minute,” the Sheriff said. “Have things like flashlights and batteries, bottled water, and medications on hand where you can easily find them if leaving becomes necessary.”
If you can afford it, Sheriff Pohlmann recommends stocking up on these items in the event you choose to stay during a storm and lose electricity for more than a day.
Anticipating the needs of older relatives and deciding what to do with pets if you had to leave, also are things to consider. The Louisiana ASPCA says pet-owners should never leave them behind when they evacuate because the animals would be at the mercy of the storm.
St. Bernard Parish residents with special needs or those who have no resources to evacuate themselves are eligible for assistance in evacuating should a mandatory evacuation be called in the parish, either due to a hurricane or another type of emergency which might arise.
Residents can register for emergency notifications and special needs assistance with the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness by calling (504) 278-4268 or visiting sbpg.net and clicking departments.
In the event of an approaching storm, here is a checklist of items you will want to have on hand in a basic emergency supply kit:
➡️Water: one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days
➡️Three-day supply of non-perishable food
➡️Can opener
➡️Eating utensils
➡️First Aid kit
➡️Cash
➡️Several complete changes of clothing and footwear per person
➡️Cell phones and chargers
➡️Bedding or sleeping bags
➡️Fire extinguisher (small canister ABC type)
➡️Bleach (no lemon or other additives)
➡️Mosquito repellent
➡️Tarp, rope, and duct tape
➡️Toiletries including toilet paper
➡️Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
➡️Flashlights and extra batteries
For families with infants, remember bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, powdered milk and medications.
For adults and others with special needs, don’t forget medicine, such as heart and high blood pressure medication, insulin, prescription drugs, denture needs, contact lenses and supplies and extra eye glasses.
For pets, bring their ID tag, a photo of your pet(s) for identification purposes, a 7-day supply of food, water, medications, and your veterinarian’s phone number. Don’t leave your pet behind. Transport pets in secure pet carriers and keep pets on leashes. Most emergency shelters do not admit pets. Check with hotels in safe locations and ask if you can bring your pet.
Entertainment, especially for children, is important as well. Pack books for adult readers and for children, board games and/or other games that do not require batteries or electricity.
Also, remember to bring your important records in a waterproof, portable container. Include insurance papers or account numbers, an inventory of household goods, checks and credit cards, family records such as birth, marriage and death certificates, and important telephone numbers.
Taking photos of your home and its contents before you leave is also a good idea for insurance purposes, the Sheriff said.
Sheriff Pohlmann hopes this season will be a quiet one for St. Bernard Parish, but it’s best to keep a watchful eye and think smart.
“Let’s hope for the best, and prepare for the worst,” the Sheriff said.
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