EPA advises on hurricane preparedness for Hurricane Francine; Hurricane Francine expected to impact Louisiana

DALLAS, TEXAS (September 11, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reminds residents of Louisiana to take steps now to be ready before, during, and after Hurricane Francine.

Before:

• Make a plan with your family and discuss how to contact each other if communications are limited; what to do if you get separated; and where you’ll go if you have to evacuate.
• Make an emergency kit with canned food, bottled water, first aid supplies, flashlights, pet supplies, and any other items you might need.
• Prepare your home by securing or properly storing harsh cleaning agents, paints and solvents, and other hazardous materials to prevent chemical spills or releases.
• Talk to your neighbors to make sure your community is prepared.

During:

• As a storm develops, pay close attention to local news and announcements from emergency response officials, and follow all shelter-in-place or evacuation instructions.
• Review your family plans and location of emergency supplies.
• If you run a generator, ensure it’s outside and set back from open windows, doors, or balconies. Generator fumes that get inside can cause illness or death from carbon monoxide poisoning.

After:

• Watch for instructions from local response officials on when shelter-in-place or evacuation orders are lifted.
• Watch for instructions from responding agencies on how to handle debris, especially household hazardous waste or other potentially hazardous materials.
• Avoid flood waters, and do not enter your home or other flooded buildings.