In a press release, New Orleans Mayor, C. Ray Nagin has said that “as Hurricane Gustav threatens the New Orleans area, citizens are urged to make certain they have an evacuation plan, and has reminded those living in travel trailers that the structures are unsafe in tropical storms or hurricanes.”
“Citizens who are living in travel trailers need to plan now to evacuate the trailers if they are advised to do so by city officials,” said Mayor Nagin. “Travel trailers are unsafe during heavy winds. As we continue to monitor and prepare for the possibility of Hurricane Gustav, I want all of our citizens to make certain they have a plan for leaving the trailers when advised to do so.”
Here is the balance of the press release:“In addition to the threat travel trailers pose to people inside them during strong winds, the winds also can turn the trailers into missiles that damage nearby structures. As of early this week, there were 2829 FEMA trailers in Orleans Parish.
All citizens should have the following as a part of their plans:
nIdentify a location for evacuation
nMake an evacuation kit
nEvacuate with elders/special needs family members
nEvacuate with pets
nEvacuate when pregnant
ITEMS FOR EVACUATION
nLocal and regional maps
nCash
nWater for at least 3 days
nNon-perishable food/pet food
nManual can opener
nFirst aid kit
nFlashlight and batteries
nBattery operated, hand- held radio (weather radio if possible)
nMedications
nImportant family documents
nChange of clothing for at least 3 days
Mayor Nagin also encouraged citizens with special needs and who otherwise cannot evacuate on their own to register for the City Assisted Evacuation. Citizens who register for the plan will be picked up at one of 17 pick-up locations and will be transported to the Union Passenger Terminal. From there, they will be transported to a safe location out of town. Maps that identify the 17 pick-up locations are available at www.cityofno.com.
