By Robin Shannon
L’Observateur

HAHNVILLE — St. Charles Parish will continue its “Be Prepared” hurricane campaign in 2009 with an expanded preparedness brochure, Web site and public service announcement video.

Atlantic hurricane season officially began on Monday and ends Nov. 30.

The St. Charles Parish Public Information Office, with help from the St. Charles Parish Emergency Operations Center, will publish a brochure with hurricane preparation tips and evacuation information. New this year will be information on steps homeowners can take to hurricane-proof their homes and guidelines for residents using the parish’s assisted evacuation program. A copy of the brochure will be mailed to all households in the parish.

A companion video produced by videographer Melanie Worrall will also air on the Government Access Channel, Cox Cable Channel 6.

“We want to help our citizens prepare for hurricane season by not only being ready with supplies, but by strengthening their properties to reduce hurricane damage in the future,” Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. said. “That kind of preparation, including buying flood insurance, is what will help our communities bounce back more quickly after a storm.”

The parish’s updated hurricane preparedness web site went live on June 1 at www.stcharlesparish-la.gov/hurricane. It includes links to both state and local hurricane information and emergency response procedures.

Citizens can expect information on what items to bring during evacuations and supplies to stock up on for hurricane sheltering within the parish. The brochure will also include an evacuation map pointing out lesser known highways and parish-specific information on assisted evacuation. Protecting pets will also be a focus.

“We are excited about offering citizens hyper-local, easy-to-use hurricane preparedness information,” Simpson said. “If a hurricane threatens our area, there’s usually not enough time to sift through volumes of information to find what you need.”

Brochures will also be available at all government offices, parish libraries and through the mail by request. It will also be available for download at www.stcharlesparish-la.gov/hurricane.

Residents with special needs should call the St. Charles Parish Emergency Operations Center at (985) 783-5050 to register with the parish in the event of an evacuation.