L’Observateur / August 26, 1998

An already-active hurricane season has produced four storms thus far – Alex, Bonnie, Charley and Danielle. Eyes are again turned to the mid-Atlantic, wary for signs of more storms developing as we continue to watch the progress of the present active storms, knowing their unpredictability.

It’s a good time for River Parishes residents to take stock of their supplies – such as plywood, flashlights and batteries, weather radios, bottled water, charcoal, extra personal-care items, first-aid supplies and canned food. It’s also a good time to make sure your vehicles are ready forimmediate travel and also a good time to pay close attention to weather reports.

Also, it’s a good idea to buy extra film to document storm damage for insurance purposes. If you evacuate, take photos all through your homefirst to document belongings.

Be aware of evacuation routes and follow instructions by authorities about where to go. If an area is sealed off due to storm damage, do notattempt to enter the area until you are cleared to do so.

Most importantly, if you are asked by authorities to evacuate, do so. Nobelongings, no property, is worth risking the lives of you and your family.

For those of us who have weathered hurricanes in the past, there’s always things we can learn about better safeguarding ourselves and our property.

For those who are new to the area, do not be panicked by rumor. Get thefacts.

One day, this area will again be struck by a major hurricane. Nothing canchange that and, with every season where one misses us, the odds are mounting against us. We can, though do a lot to prepare for before, duringand after the storm.

How we weather that storm will be up to us.

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

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