For the latest storm track information and maps,
please visit the National Hurricane Center web site:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
If you need emergency assistance please call:
- State Emergency Operations Emergency Calls
1-800-469-4828
1-225-925-7514, ext. 7500
If you wish to assist with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts please contact:
- The American Red Cross
1-800-GET-INFO
www.redcross.org
- Operation Blessing
1-800-469-4828
www.ob.org
- America's Second Harvest
1-800-344-8070
www.secondharvest.org
Important Telephone Numbers
Where to call for help.
- The American Red Cross
1-800-GET-INFO
- Louisiana State Police Road Closure Hotline
1-800-469-4828
- Local Parish Governments
- Jefferson: (504) 364-2600
- St. Tammany: (985) 898-2591
- Lafourche: (985) 446-8427
- Terrebonne: (985) 873-6519 or (985) 873-6401
- St. Mary: (337) 828-4100 or (337) 828-4500
- Plaquemines: (985) 333-4287 Pointe a la Hache, or (504) 299-5322 Belle Chase
- St. Bernard: (504) 278-4200 or (504) 278-4228
- St. Charles: (985) 783-5000
- Tangipahoa: (985) 748-3211
- If your parish is not on this list, please visit http://www.lpgov.org.
- My Offices
For constituent assistance, please call my Baton Rouge office at (225) 389-0395 or my Washington office at (202) 224-5824.
- Insurance Companies
- AIG Insurance Co. Disaster Claims
Personal: (800)562-2208
Business (877) 366-8423
- Allstate Insurance Co. Disaster Claims
(800) 547-8676
- Colonial Penn Insurance Co. Disaster Claims
(800) 523-4040
- Hartford Casualty Insurance Co. Disaster Claims
Personal: (800) 243-5860
Business: (800) 327-3636
- Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. Disaster Claims
(800) 526-1547
- Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. Disaster Claims
(800) 421-3535
- State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. Disaster Claims
(800) 732-5246
- AIG Insurance Co. Disaster Claims
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Assistance Hotline
1-800-621-FEMA
Only call if your area has been declared a Federal Disaster Area.
- Special Needs Shelters
These shelters are designed for individuals who are homebound, chronically ill or who have disabilities and are in need of medical or nursing care, and have no other place to receive care. They are not intended for use by the general public or for nursing home patients. Those seeking shelter will be screened by nurses to determine the level of care needed, and those whose condition is not severe enough for Special Needs Sheltering will be referred to a general shelter.
Citizens are encouraged to call the phone number for their area before attempting to access a shelter:
- New Orleans: (504)599-0100
- Baton Rouge: 1-800-349-1372
- Houma/Thibodaux: 1-800-228-9409
- Lafayette: (337)262-5311
- Lake Charle:s (337)475-3200
- Alexandria: (318)487-5262
- Shreveport: (318)676-7470
- Monroe: (318)361-7270, (318)361-7224 or (318)361-7201
- Slidell/Hammond: (985)871-1300
Important Web Sites
Useful Resources
- National Hurricane Center
Recent Hurricane Katrina track information and maps.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
- American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org
- Louisiana State Police - Information About Evacuation Routes
http://www.lsp.org/emergency.html
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
http://www.fema.gov
- National Flood Insurance Program
http://www.floodsmart.gov
- Louisiana Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
http://www.loep.state.la.us
- Louisiana Parish Government
http://www.lpgov.org
- City of New Orleans
http://www.cityofno.com
Prepare for the Storm
Some basic steps you can take.
Information provided by FEMA, CDC and American Red Cross.
- Identify ahead of time where you and your family might go if told to evacuate. Red Cross shelters can be found by calling 1-800-GET-INFO.
- Prepare to evacuate by filling your car’s gas tank, filling clean water containers in your home, review the family emergency plans and check your supplies, etc.
- If you are not asked to evacuate be sure to monitor weather condition via TV or radio, stay indoors until authorities declare the storm over, stay away from windows and exterior doors – seek shelter in a bathroom, closet or basement.
- Identify potential home hazards and secure them before the storm comes – be prepared to turn off electrical, gas and water supplies before leaving home. Don’t forget to disconnect appliances if you are asked to evacuate.
- Inspect your home fire extinguisher – make sure it is working and that your family is able to operate it.
- Locate and secure important papers and records like insurance policies, licenses, and address and phone lists.
- Have the contact numbers for your insurance carrier handy – some of them are listed above.
- Stock up on emergency supplies – FEMA suggests a flashlight and extra batteries, battery-operated radio, first aid kit, necessary food and water, non-electric can opener, essential medicines, cash and credit cards and sturdy shoes.
- Make arrangements for your pets’ safety.
- Protect your windows and trim dead or weak branches from trees in your yard.
- Develop an emergency communication plan for your family – you may want to ask an out-of-state relative to serve as a contact point should you or your family be separated during the storm.
- Keep local Red Cross numbers handy: Acadiana Area Chapter (337-234-7371) and Southwest Louisiana Chapter (337-478-5122).