Based on NOAA predicts above-normal 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, by NOAA and How can Louisiana evacuate as hurricanes intensify rapidly? Don’t wait for contraflow, by the Times-Picayune, personal hurricane awareness and preparedness should be high this year. NOAA is forecasting a busy season with rapid intensification of storms. The Times is suggesting that contraflow will not be instituted in time for a complete evacuation. Does this mean that people could be stuck in contra as a category 5 hurricane ravages the land? It is a scary thought and the Times-Picayune skirts answering.

For the good, NOAA’s forecasting has gotten earlier and more accurate. Though they are still struggling with landfall-strength forecast, the forecast tracks and time of arrival of hurricane- and tropical-force winds have become increasing accurate over the years. But, Mother Nature is working against us.

The Gulf of Mexico is warmer than normal and the conditions are ripe for rapid intensification. How rapid? NOAA suggests the possibility a tropical storm could cross Cuba, enter the Gulf and make a Louisiana landfall at category 5 is real.

I am suggesting that we, everyone, make it our duty to insure we are prepared for the situation well in advance of its appearance. Know what you are going to do. The absolute key to a win is to have a plan and share that plan with your significant peeps. Whether those be neighbors, friends, employers or family members, build a plan and share it. If your plan is to stay, insure you have the ability to protect yourself in the onslaught of the storm and support yourself in the aftermath.

If you have a full-house or smaller generator, these beasts need maintenance frequently with constant use. Insure that you have the supplies beforehand and can execute the maintenance yourself as in previous storms, the maintenance providers failed to be able to maintain all the generators in the affected area.

Stockpiles of food and and water are needed ahead of time. In the approach of a storm, the stores fill up with panicked people and the shelves go empty at lightspeed. Have your needed supplies well in advance. Non-perishable goods are the best. If you have the ability to make a pie, cake or pastry, the days following the storm is a wonderful time to show your skill and share it with remaining neighbors.

Personal physical protection is a double-edged sword. Make these decisions at your own discretion. I’ve seen some interesting things happen, even in “good” neighborhoods. Living in rural areas, the bayous get absolutely quiet when humans are not around. Police are incapable of being everywhere.

Evacuation is another choice for a plan. In my experience, they are long, hot, frustrating and expensive. I remember a Jackson, MS-based radio station making the PSA that Louisianians were not welcome in their state. I won’t ever forget that. My wife, three small children and I were in a car about 8 hours at that point in a stand-still approaching the state line. We had reservations in Arkansas. But, all I could think as I looked over the river of cars in contraflow with me was a prayer that the thousands of people had places to go.

That was the last time that I evacuated.

Regardless of preparedness choices, make them now. Don’t wait until there is a system in the Gulf of Mexico. At that point, it may very well be too late.

Thanks for reading,
Jay C. “Jazzy J” Theriot