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Louisiana residents urged to prepare as Tropical Storm Francine nears

by Amber McDown

As Tropical Storm Francine heads toward Louisiana, residents are being urged to take immediate action to protect their homes and families ahead of its expected landfall as a hurricane later this week. Officials are providing key guidance on staying safe, securing property, and preparing for potential power outages and evacuations.

Steps to Protect Your Home and Family

Homeowners are advised to secure outdoor items, such as patio furniture, grills, and toys, to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles in high winds. 

Residents should also check their emergency supplies, including nonperishable food, bottled water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and a first-aid kit. If you have a generator, test it and store fuel in a safe place. Ensuring that your mobile devices are fully charged and having a backup power source, such as a car charger, is also essential.

Communications and Connectivity

Save your phone’s battery by turning on power-save mode and disabling non-essential features.

Keep mobile devices charged and have backup charging methods ready.

Protect phones by storing them in waterproof cases or plastic bags.

Back up important documents, such as insurance and medical records, to the cloud for easy access.

Create a family communication plan and store emergency contact numbers for local authorities and family members.

During severe weather, text messaging may be a more reliable way to communicate than phone calls due to high call volume on the network.

Prepare for Power Outages and Evacuations

With power outages likely, residents should have battery-powered radios to stay updated on weather reports and local news. Louisiana State Police are advising residents to monitor travel conditions and be ready to evacuate if necessary. Review evacuation routes, ensure your vehicle is fueled, and have a “go bag” with essentials like identification, cash, and prescription medications.

Motor carriers providing assistance for disaster relief, including power grid repairs and debris removal, are temporarily exempt from certain federal safety regulations to ensure quick response and recovery efforts.

Stay Informed

Keep track of updates from the National Hurricane Center and local news stations as the storm progresses. Changes in the storm’s path or strength could impact safety measures and evacuation plans. Area colleges and universities are expected to close, so students and staff should check for announcements.

By taking these precautions, Louisiana residents can better protect their families and homes as Tropical Storm Francine approaches. Stay connected, stay informed, and stay safe.

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