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New Orleans Hurricane Preparation: Special Laws During Natural Disasters

Hurricanes happen so often in New Orleans that there is a natural course or preparation that residents typically will act out. As a criminal defense lawyer in New Orleans, I would like to make sure that not only are you prepared to either “ride out” a hurricane or tropical storm, or evacuate safely prior to a hurricane arriving, but that you are also aware of special laws that you must abide by during a hurricane or natural disaster. If you do find yourself in legal trouble during or after a hurricane, then feel free to give me a call to talk about your situation. In the mean time, here are some tips on how to prepare for a hurricane and how to avoid criminal charges during a natural disaster.

Preparing for a Hurricane in the Gulf Coast

Information Gathering

Make sure you have a list of all emergency contacts prior to hurricane season (typically June 1-December 1 with mid-August to mid-October being at its peak in the Gulf Coast and New Orleans). You can sign up for New Orleans city emergency alerts to be sent to your mobile phone or e-mail by going to this website. You can find a list of important New Orleans Hurricane Emergency contact phone numbers here.

Preparing a Family Emergency Kit

One of the most important parts of preparing for a hurricane is preparing your “Emergency Kit” that your family will use if and when there is an emergency. Here are some hurricane essentials:

  • Batteries, and extra batteries
  • Battery-powered radio
  • Battery-powered lamp or lantern
  • Bottled water (Three gallons per person, plus additional for bathing, flushing or washing)
  • Cash
  • Canned food with a can-opener (non-electric)
  • Clothing and bedding (one extra change is necessary)
  • Evacuation route maps
  • First Aid Kit with medications, prescription medications, and a list of medications your family takes
  • ID
  • Keys to our house, car and to wherever you evacuate to
  • Non-Perishable foods such as peanut butter, crackers, canned meats
  • Paper, pens and pencils
  • Plastic garbage bags, ties and tarp
  • Pet food
  • Rain gear like coats, boots, liners
  • Soap & Shampoo
  • Tape such as electrical, duct and masking
  • Utility knife, wrench and pliers
  • Vitamins

Important Documents

In addition to your emergency kit, you should prepare a sealed documents binder or folder that you can easily grab if you must evacuate. If you choose not to evacuate, keep this folder or binder somewhere as high as possible and away from windows, doors or leaky ceilings. Some documents you could include in this folder include:

  • Copy of your driver’s license or ID card
  • Copy of your social security card and your social security card
  • Proof of residence like your house deed or your lease
  • Any insurance policies you have (home, flood, auto, renter’s)
  • Certificates such as marriage, birth, death
  • Certificates for financial monies like stocks and bonds
  • Recent tax returns, wills and deeds

Creating a Hurricane Plan

In addition to your emergency kits at home, you will want to make sure your family has a plan in case you have to evacuate at the last minute. Sometimes you won’t realize that rising waters or gas outages might cause you to evacuate despite what you originally decided. Make sure you:

  • Pick a destination spot to evacuate to in case of evacuation. Let friends or family know where to look for you BEFORE an evacuation takes place.
  • Review FEMA Evacuation Guidelines so you have enough time to pack and leave
  • Always have a full tank of gas in all of your vehicles. Remember: When the power is out, the pumps do not work!
  • Always have plenty of cash just in case electricity is out for extended periods of time. When the power is out, banks are closed and ATMs do not work.
  • Pick a spot to hide in your house in case of tornadoes. A room without any windows and on the first floor is best.

Rules & Regulations During a Hurricane

During and after a hurricane, you have to abide by a special set of laws and rules, such as:

  • Curfews: If your town or city has implemented a curfew (curfews are implemented for a number of reasons, including to prevent looting) make sure to abide by it or you could be picked up by law enforcement and brought straight to Orleans Parish Prison.  Sometimes curfews are imposed during the peak of the storm even if that is during daytime hours.
  • Driving: Do not drive through standing water. Not only is it dangerous to you and your car, but if you get stuck, law enforcement will right you a ticket for putting other people and their property (their cars) at risk and charge you for removing your car.  Also, you never know what is under the water that you cannot see.
  • Driving: Be careful when you are driving as there may be people walking in the streets due to down power lines and trees.
  • Mandatory Evacuations: Remember that if your area has a mandatory evacuation in place, and you choose not to leave, you are subject to acting on your own until after the storm is over. This means that if you choose to stay, you may have NO help from law enforcement, FEMA, Homeland Security, or any other government agency until after the storm has passed. Keep this in mind when mandatory evacuations are in place.  After Katrina, the City of New Orleans no longer encourages shelter in place.
  • Power Lines: Avoid them! Not only is this extremely dangerous, but you can cause hazardous conditions for your surrounding areas as well.
  • Looting: Hurricane Looting: What Constitutes a Crime?

Although we have been lucky this year, peak hurricane season has only just begun and so make sure you read these rules carefully and contact me if you have been charged with any hurricane related crimes.

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