Be Ready Before the Storm: Your 2025 Louisiana Hurricane Season Guide

Whether you’ve lived in Louisiana your whole life or recently made it home, one thing is true for all of us: being prepared for hurricane season brings peace of mind when it matters most.

This guide is here to walk you through everything you need to feel confident and ready this season. It’s designed for homeowners and renters alike and includes tips for your home, your documents, your tech, and your evacuation plan. Feel free to save it, print it, or share it with someone you care about.

🏠 1. Home and Property Readiness (Yes, Even If You Rent)

No matter your living situation, preparing your space is key.

For Homeowners:

• Inspect your roof and clean gutters and downspouts. Trim any limbs hanging near your home.

• Bring in or secure outdoor items like patio furniture, grills, and planters.

• Check shutters or prepare pre-cut, labeled plywood for windows.

• Test sump pumps and generators. Keep fuel stored safely.

For Renters:

• Ask your landlord about the property’s hurricane plan.

• Review your lease and renter’s insurance.

• Take clear photos of your belongings for insurance records.

• Make a plan for moving your car or safeguarding personal property.

🗂 2. Documents to Keep Safe and Accessible

Create both a waterproof envelope and a digital folder (cloud storage like Dropbox, iCloud, or Google Drive) with:

• IDs (driver’s license, passport)

• Insurance policies (home, renters, auto, flood)

• Lease or mortgage documents

• Deed or ownership proof

• Medical records and prescriptions

• Vehicle title and registration

• Pet vaccination and ownership documents

• Emergency contacts (printed copy)

Pro Tip: Email yourself the folder or share it with a trusted contact for easy access from anywhere.

🎒 3. Your Hurricane Go Bag

Pack a “go bag” now so you’re not scrambling later. Keep it near your front door or in a hall closet.

Essentials:

• 3 to 5 days of clothing and toiletries

• Face masks and hand sanitizer

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• First-aid kit

• Medications (at least 7-day supply)

• Bottled water (1 gallon per person per day)

• Non-perishable snacks

• Phone chargers and power banks

• Cash (ATMs may be unavailable)

• Baby formula, diapers, and wipes if needed

• Pet food, leash, and carrier

Comforts:

• Books or puzzles

• Blanket and pillow

• Headphones

• List of key phone numbers in writing

🚗 4. Evacuation Plans and Contraflow Guidance

Know Your Zone:

Check your parish’s official evacuation zone. Visit www.getagameplan.org for updated maps and guidance.

Understanding Contraflow:

• Implemented about 30 hours before landfall

• Major highways like I-10, I-55, and I-59 reverse direction to move traffic inland

• Fuel up early and plan for potential gas shortages

• Avoid last-minute departures when traffic and stress are highest

Evacuation Destinations:

• Friends or relatives outside the impact zone

• Hotels along the I-20 corridor or farther inland

• State-run shelters (check with local officials)

If you need help evacuating, dial 211 in advance for parish-specific assistance.

📲 5. Smart Technology Tips for Safety and Peace of Mind

Location Sharing:

Use Find My to share your real-time location with a trusted friend or family member. It’s helpful in case of separation during travel or evacuation.

Emergency Contact Setup:

On iPhone: go to Settings > Health > Medical ID > Edit to add emergency contacts that first responders can access from your lock screen.

Apps to Download:

• FEMA App: Disaster alerts and safety info

• CodeRED or Alert FM: Local warnings and parish updates

• American Red Cross App: Emergency info and shelter locations

• Nextdoor or local Facebook groups: Neighborhood-level support

Other Tech Tips:

• Keep portable chargers and solar-powered chargers ready

• Store emergency phone numbers in both your phone and wallet

• Screenshot and download local maps and documents in case of poor signal

📞 6. Important Contacts to Save and Share

💬 Final Thought: We’ve Got This.

While every storm season is different, one thing never changes: Louisianans know how to look out for one another.

Preparation is not about fear. It’s about confidence. It’s about making thoughtful choices ahead of time so that you and your family are protected, no matter what comes our way.

If you have questions about securing your home, navigating your insurance, or organizing your documents, I’m happy to help. Whether it’s your first hurricane season or your fiftieth, you’re not in this alone.

P.S. Forward this post to someone who could use a little peace of mind. A prepared community is a resilient one.

With you every step,