BATON ROUGE -- When a hurricane threatens the U.S., there are steps that coastal residents can take to prepare themselves for the storm. Proper preparation can significantly reduce the loss of life and property during a hurricane, according to experts at the LSU Hurricane Center.
"When a hurricane is several days away from landfall, it presents a good opportunity for people to review their personal preparedness plans," Marc Levitan, director of the LSU Hurricane Center, said. "It is important for people to know whether they are at risk and to have plans for evacuation, taking sheltering and protecting their property."
Some tips from the LSU experts:
- Watch weather reports and take the advice of meteorologists and other professionals.
- Follow evacuation orders or take refuge in hurricane shelters.
- Whether staying at home or evacuating, have several days' supply of canned foods, water, flashlights and batteries, and don't forget a can opener!
- Make plans for your pets, since most shelters and hotels do not allow animals.
- Evacuate early to avoid last-minute traffic jams that can leave people trapped in their vehicles during the storm. Plan a destination ahead of time and have the gas tank filled.
- Secure loose items outside your home, such as barbecue grills and lawn furniture.
- If you have a generator, check your fuel supply.
For more information on hurricanes and hurricane preparedness, contact any of the researchers at the LSU Hurricane Center -- the largest group of hurricane experts in the U.S. -- or visit the center's Web site at http://www.hurricane.lsu.edu.
Some of the center's top researchers are:
- Marc Levitan, director, 225-388-4445, (studies effects of hurricane-force winds on structures, particularly hurricane shelters and chemical plants)
- Ivor Van Heerden, deputy director, 225-388-5974, ivheerd@unix1.sncc.lsu.edu (flood modeling, public health hazards after a hurricane)
- Joseph Suhayda, 225-388-8620, suhaydaj@lwrri.lsu.edu (runs computer models showing the flood damage that could occur to a particular city -- especially New Orleans -- during a hurricane)
- Brian Wolshon, 225-388-5247, brian@rsip.lsu.edu (evacuation and transportation issues)
- Greg Stone, 225-388-6188, gagreg@lsu.edu, (coastal studies, storm surge, wave dynamics, weather stations in Gulf of Mexico)
- Kam-biu Liu, 225-388-6136, kliu1@lsu.edu (paleotempestology, or the study of major hurricanes throughout history)
- Shih Ang Hsu, 225-388-2962, sahsu@antares.esl.lsu.edu (coastal meteorology, how cloud temperatures affect hurricane intensity)
- Emir Macari, 225-334-3620, emacari@lsu.edu (rain-induced slope-stability issues and landslides)
- Oscar Huh, 225-388-2952, oscar@antares.esl.lsu.edu (satellite data and images, director of LSU's Earth Scan Lab, which is available on the Web at http://www.esl.lsu.edu)
- Jeanne Hurlbert, 225-388-3311, jhurlbert@lapop.lsu.edu (how people react during hurricanes)
Contact Kristine Calongne LSU News Service 225 388-5985
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