President’s Report July / August 2016

Our July 12th meeting will be a Hurricane Preparedness Meeting. May 30th marked the beginning of Hurricane
Season. Its time to start preparing. Start making up your to do lists. Be prepared to secure your homes with
either shutters or plywood, which should be at least 5/8ths. of an inch thick, metal shutters should be at least 22ga. metal. Be sure to pick up and secure lawn equipment and patio furniture. Make sure to put your important papers such as insurance policies, birth and marriage certificates, important pictures, car titles and other valuables in a safe, water proof container. Make plans on how to keep in touch with family members. Plan where you might evacuate. Have non perishable food, water, and medication for at least two weeks. As for water, have at least one gallon per person per day. Plan for what to do to secure frozen food. Electricity will probably be off so a good idea, should you not have a generator, is to pack all of your frozen or refrigerated food into garbage bags and put them back in the freezer or refrigerator . This will save a messy, stinky clean up when you return. If you have a generator, be sure to have extra gas, oil and spark plugs in case your electricity is off for a prolonged period of time. You will also need extra gas for your car. You will need batteries for flash lights, radios, and portable TVs. Should you stay, please realize you will be on your own. Police, ambulances and fire rescue will be unavailable during and immediately after the storm. Hospitals, gas stations, and stores will be closed. Please if you are going to stay, be PREPARED!!!

Check on your elderly neighbors and relatives and make sure they are safe and have means to evacuate.
Should you decide to evacuate, follow contra flow procedures. Stay informed by watching television or listening to
the radio to see when contraflow will begin. Get out early to avoid traffic problems. Make plans as to where you will go ,make reservations before you leave. Bring snacks and drinks with you, you may be on the road for hours. Check for broken or falling limbs in trees for these could become dangerous projectiles in hurricane force winds. Have a well prepared first aid kit available. Fill all propane tanks especially if you have an electric stove, at least you will be able to prepare meals on a portable burner or bar-b-que pit.

When the storm is over, look out for and stay away from fallen power lines as they may still be energized especially if they are in water or in trees for they may energize the whole tree. Notify either Entergy, police, or Jefferson Parish if possible. Do not drive on flooded streets as you may push flood waters into someone’s home or business. If possible, get in touch with family and friends to let them know how you are doing or if they will be able to return home.

You could encounter wild or injured animals, please stay clear as they could be dangerous. Make sure all of
your shots, including tetanus are up to date. Remember, you will probably be under a curfew so stay as close to
home as possible.

It is also a good time to remind everyone to keep the drains and curbs clean and free of leaves and debris this
time of year. Not only for hurricanes but this is the time of year we get heavy rains and flash floods. Keeping the
drains free of debris could keep you or your neighbors homes from flooding so lets work together to keep our neighborhood clean of leaves and debris.

Remember our next meeting is Tuesday July 12th at 7:00pm, in the Golden Age Center at Jefferson Playground.

Thank you,
Kennith J. Lassalle
President
Suburban Terrace Civic Association
suburbanterracecivicassoc@cox.net

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