We can’t afford to be complacent.
Just a few short weeks ago, Hurricane Barry arrived to shake us up and remind us to get ourselves together – hurricane season is here! Each year, we get the memo. After all, we live on the Gulf. We know the drill, and we know what to do.
So, as the depression developed into an invest, a tropical storm, and finally a hurricane, we all watched the repeating news cycle and saw that Barry was heading right to our shores. Rivers on the Northshore were predicted to rise to flood levels that would rival the devastating double floods of 2016, from which many families have only recently recovered. And we held our collective breath when reports said that the flood stage might hit 19’ on the New Orleans levees – a massive disaster in waiting.
Some were not so lucky and had damages to their homes and property, but Barry spared our region significant harm. While it didn’t end up a major storm, it was a wake-up call to get prepared.
Hurricane season is June 1 – November 30 each year, and we are only a two months in with three and a half months to go. Typically, the Atlantic hurricane activity peaks toward the end of summer, from late August through September. That means the most active time for storms is still in front of us. That also means we can’t afford to be complacent.
We must make it a priority to take stock of what we need to do to keep ourselves, our families, our pets, and our communities safe and prepared. I love a good hurricane party just as much as the next person, but the first thing on my list is to make sure I am safe and secure enough to enjoy one.
Live United,
Jamene Dahmer
Sr. Vice President, Long Term Recovery
United Way of Southeast Louisiana
For more information on how you can get prepared visit https://www.unitedwaysela.org/get-ready-steps-take-when-storms-approach