ORLEANS PARISH CRIMINAL SHERIFF S OFFICE HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS HANDBOOK PART 1 (OPSO Employee Section) Introduction The purpose of this handbook is to instruct personnel of the Sheriff s Office regarding the course of actions to be taken by all employees should an emergency, natural or otherwise, threaten the Metro-New Orleans area. By planning ahead you can minimize the dangers of these storms. By planning now you also reduce the discomforts of recovery and the time required to return your life to normal. Please read this guide thoroughly and discuss it with your family - you should develop your family plan together. Write your plan on the pages provided and keep your handbook readily available during the hurricane season: June 1 through November 30. It should be noted that when the Sheriff s Department enacts it Hurricane Evacuation Plan, the employee will not have time to evacuate his/her family themselves. It is the responsibility of the employee to develop a family evacuation plan that allows the employee at their duty assignment while their family evacuates independently. List of Topics Responsibilities of OPSO Employees Tropical Storms & Hurricanes An overview. Hurricane Hazards What to do before the OPSO Emergency Plan is enacted. Beginning of Hurricane Season Hurricane Alert Important Phone Numbers City Of New Orleans Evacuation Plan Contra Flow Map Responsibilities of OPSO Employees It is the responsibility of each member of the Sheriff s Department to read and familiarize themselves with this handbook, as well as the post orders regarding an emergency applicable to the facility and/or division to which the employee is assigned. 1
It is the responsibility of the Supervisor, Deputy, and Employee to maintain awareness of current events by whatever means available; radio, television, etc When in doubt, the employee should contact their Supervisor or the Communications Center at (504) 827-8505. When advised by the Sheriff s Office, the Mayor, or the Media that a disaster is threatening the areas, all employees (staff, personnel, supervisors deputies, medical and maintenance) must contact their assignment or the Communications Center for instructions. THE EMPLOYEES shall immediately contact their supervisors for instructions. THE SUPERVISOR shall immediately contact the Communications Center and/or the Director, Warden, or Commander of their respective Facility/Division for any additional instructions. STAFF shall immediately contact the Communications Center for instructions. If you have significant medical problems, take multiple medications (some of which may require refrigeration), or have other medical issues that would make a prolonged OPSO shelter dangerous, you must discuss this with your supervisor PRIOR to Hurricane Warning. Alternate responsibilities/duty locations may be assigned in the event of a hurricane. The Medical Director may provide clarification on this issue. It is the employee s responsibility to ensure these determinations are made before he/she expected to report for duty. Specific timing of employee responsibilities is dependent upon OPSO policy and Procedures, not necessarily media declarations of media watches/warnings concerning evacuation. The Sheriff s Office will notify all employees when to enact their personal Family Evacuation Plan. Do not necessarily rely on the medias timeline concerning evacuation. The OPSO evacuation will be extensive, involving the relocation of inmates and equipment and therefore may take longer to accomplish. For example: The media may declare a state of emergency and instruct civilians to evacuate 24 hours prior to a storm impact on the metro-new Orleans area. The Sheriff s Office may initiate its evacuation plan at 100 hours and expect its employees to be on duty at approximately 72 hours prior to storm impact. You will be required to report to work during the hurricane. This can be very stressful if you are worried about your family. Families and pets will NOT be 2
permitted to shelter at OPSO. It cannot be stated enough, PLEASE take time before a hurricane arrives to create a family evacuation plan. If a hurricane enters the Gulf of Mexico, and threatens the New Orleans metro area, a Hurricane Alert will be announced. At this time, employees will follow the media, keep in contact with supervisors, and be prepared to initiate the Personal and Family Evacuation plans when directed by OPSO. Plans, contact lists, document gathering, supply kit preparation and other topics addressed above will have already been accomplished. Additional preparation, as outlined below, will allow evacuation to proceed smoothly. Prepare to Report for Duty: At the time that the OPSO Hurricane Evacuation Plan is enacted, you will be expected to report for duty. You should have all ready evacuated your family and prepared your home. You should also bring a personal cache of supplies to your duty station in the event of prolonged shelter at OPSO. Food and water will be provided, but it is encouraged that you bring extra. Also bring supplies as per your home Disaster Supply Kit. Remember to bring cell phones and chargers, an extra flashlight with batteries, and a list of emergency contact numbers. You must also bring a month supply of personal medications. The following is a list of numbers and web addresses important to the evacuation process: www.opcso.org Sheriff s Office Web Site. Please refer to it for any updates. 504-827-8505 Communication Division. 504-827-6753 OPSO Automatic phone line. Please put in an extension. Ext. 8594 Templeman Phase Five Watch Commanders Office Ext. 8520 Warren McDaniel s Center Ext. 6741 Intake & Processing Watch Commanders Office Ext. 6749 Conchetta Watch Commanders Office 225-219-0500 Louisiana Sheriff s Pension and Relief Fund Office 225-219-0741 1225 Nicholson Drive, Baton Rouge (Evacuation Location of Payroll) EMPLOYEE RECOVERY PROCESS Preparations have been made to recall Orleans Parish Sheriff s non-essential personnel back to work after a hurricane evacuation process is over. All employees who are not essential to the evacuation process may re-locate with their families during a hurricane threat. Non-essential personnel will be required to contact the OPSO Personnel Director weekly at contact phone number 225-219-0500 or listed on the OPSO website (www.opcso.org). Free internet access is available at most public libraries. The Director of personnel will possess a master list of all updated evacuation plan confidential data. 3
These data forms were completed by each OPSO employee and submitted to the personnel department prior to hurricane season. The administrative office will re-locate to the Sheriff s Association pension and relief fund office at 1225 Nicholson Drive, Baton Rouge La. After the hurricane evacuation has ended, non-essential personnel will be contacted by the personnel department and recalled back to work as soon as possible. Deputies and staff must be prepared to return to work upon notification from the Sheriff s Office. Deputies or staff members who have not completed and returned their Evacuation Plan Data forms must do so as soon as possible. 4
PART 2 (Employee Family Section) Tropical Storms & Hurricanes - An Overview Tropical storms and hurricanes are formed when several different weather conditions occur simultaneously. The two basic ingredients are warm ocean waters and favorable wind conditions. These conditions, called tropical cyclones, occur every year in the Tropics between late May and early November. A tropical storm is a lesser form of a hurricane. On average, about 10 named tropical storms develop each hurricane season. About half of these strengthen into hurricanes. A hurricane is a tropical cyclone with winds exceeding 74 mph, originating in the tropical regions of the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, or the Gulf of Mexico. It is impossible to predict when the next hurricane will affect our area. PLEASE BE PREPARED! The Hazards of Hurricanes There are 5 strengths of hurricanes. They are categorized based upon their sustained winds, with Category 1 being the weakest and Category 5 being the most powerful. Hurricanes and tropical storms present 4 distinct hazards to us. Storm Surge: The most dangerous hazard, storm surge is a large dome of water that is pushed up on the land as the hurricane comes ashore. The shallowness of the Gulf of Mexico and strong winds will intensify the effects of storm surge on the Metro-New Orleans area. Winds: The winds that generate storm surge also cause damage themselves. Most vulnerable to these winds are trees, power lines, signs, manufactured homes, recreational vehicles, and homes and businesses with unprotected windows. Tornados: As they move on shore, hurricanes can spawn numerous tornados. These tornados can occur without warning and add to the destructive potential of the hurricane. Rain: Hurricanes and tropical storms often bring very heavy rains for extended periods. From 6 to 8 inches of rain can fall in 24 hours or less producing flooding in many areas. What to Do Before the OPSO Evacuation Plan is enacted. Don't wait until a tropical storm or hurricane is near! Once the hurricane watch is issued, time and supplies run dangerously short. 5
In the event of a tropical storm, all personnel who are housed in Sheriff s trailers/encampments and their families MUST evacuate prior to impact. It should be noted that the employee and/or their families will be responsible for said evacuation. At no time will families be allowed to remain at the Sheriff s Office as a shelter of last resort. Hurricane Season begins on June 01 through November 30 of each year. Each employee of the Sheriff s Office should address the following topics with their family members in order to be prepared in the event that an evacuation order is given by the Sheriff s Office, media/mayor s office. Important Papers: At the beginning of each Hurricane Season employees should ensure that the information contained in the Employee Emergency Data Sheet is up to date. This information will be kept in the Personnel Office, but each employee should maintain copies or originals of important documents. You must have accurate personal contact information, family and next of kin data. Additional information such as funeral preferences and emergency notification must be clarified. You should prepare a will, establish durable power of attorney for medical and legal issues, and identify emergency contact numbers. This important paperwork, along with mortgage paperwork, automobile titles, diplomas, medical records, bank account information, social security cards and other personal valuables should be maintained in a safe, portable, and watertight container (i.e. ziplock bags, Tupperware, etc.). This can then be transported, along with family members, to a safe location as a hurricane approaches or be stored in a Safe Room in your home. A list of emergency numbers should be created, and kept on your person (hand-written, as electronic devices are likely to lose power). Evacuation Plans: Help identify who will be evacuating and to where they will be evacuating. Determine who will be traveling, and by what means. Who will drive? Who will care for the children, elderly, and pets? Make sure some family or friends outside the storm area are familiar with your plans, and have copies of contact numbers. Make this person a point of contact for all evacuees. Pre-storm preparation will make an evacuation much less stressful. Safe Room: It should be noted that the Sheriff s Office strongly encourages evacuation when the time comes, but, if any family members do not evacuate, a safe location within the home needs to be identified. This area could also be used to store important items for retrieval after the storm. Choose an area that will be protected from flying debris and rising floodwaters. An interior closet or hallway, without windows, is ideal. Home Preparedness: These are general methods that you may do to prepare your home. In the case of a hurricane alert, securing your home for evacuation will be much easier if these methods remain at a constant. Prepare a complete home inventory of everything you own (electronics, furniture, artwork, etc ). Take pictures if you have the option to do so. 6
Keep trees and shrubs trimmed. Measure, cut, and label sheets of plywood for your windows and entranceways at the beginning of Hurricane Season. Supplies will run out if you wait until Hurricane Alert. Start emptying your freezer: eat stored food. Fill vacated space with jugs of water, which will freeze. If power is lost for a significant period of time, this will allow your freezer to stay colder longer, and will provide extra drinking water. Check your Disaster Supply Kit. Disaster Supply Kit: Gather items, and keep them in storage, at the beginning of Hurricane Season before any storms approach. These items will be essential during or after a hurricane, and may be difficult to obtain just before a hurricane arrives. Plan early and obtain the following items for your Safe Room: Flashlight Battery operated TV or radio Batteries! Food: non-perishable (packaged that doesn t need refrigeration) - Include special foods for infants or elderly persons. - Keep enough for two weeks. Can opener (manual) Water: one gallon daily per person, for two weeks. Seal water containers tightly, label and date them when filled, and store in a cool, dark place. Containers for drinking water Cooking tools and fuel, with plates and utensils Blankets and pillows Clothing: including sturdy shoes and rain gear First aid kit: with enough prescription medicine to last a month Extra batteries Toiletries, hygiene items, and wet-wipes Important documents, as outlined above Tools, including a hatchet/axe if shelter in an attic becomes necessary Pet care items: identification, medical records, food, muzzle, leash, carrier CASH: as much as feasible. ATMs will run out of money as a storm approaches, and may become inoperable (and still empty) after a storm. Games, cards, and toys More batteries Containers for sewage - 5-gallon buckets, with covers (at least 2) Heavy-duty trash bags Bleach (pure, unscented, liquid) Water purification tablets Fire extinguisher Portable cooler Matches or lighters Rope 7
Duct tape Tarp Baby food, diapers and formula Special dietary needs Insect repellant Hurricane Alert Securing Your Home: At this time, prepare your home to survive a possible direct hit from a hurricane. Focus on moving your prepared Disaster Supply Kit to your Safe Room, initiating your family s evacuation, and preventing storm damage to your home. This may take many hours, so start early. You must be prepared to report for duty immediately, upon contacting your supervisor or Communications. Bring in outdoor items: garbage cans/lids, patio furniture, potted plants, tools and hoses, toys, etc. Bring in anything that can be blown away and turned into a missile. Inspect and secure mobile home tie downs Secure garage doors Remove or tie down awnings Fasten storm shutters or apply plywood to windows (measure, cut, and label sheets at the beginning of Hurricane Season. Supplies will run out if you wait until Hurricane Alert). Turn refrigerator to coldest setting. Remove perishable items, especially meats and vegetables (if power is lost for a significant period of time, this rotting food will ruin your fridge!). Turn off utilities (gas and electricity) as directed by authorities Unplug appliances Close and brace all external doors Close all windows Close all interior doors Place valuables into waterproof containers or plastic bags. Prepare bathtubs and fill with water Prepare swimming pools: Don't drain your pool completely; drop the level by 1 or 2 feet. Place outdoor furniture and pool equipment into the pool. Turn off electricity to pool pump. Add extra chlorine to compensate for heavy rains. Prepare boats: haul out of water and secure it in its moorings. Do so before waters begin to get rough. Prepare your car/vehicle: fill with gasoline and store on high ground away from trees or utility poles (preferably sheltered). Or prepare it for evacuation (gasoline, air for tires, etc). When reporting to duty at OPCSO, dry parking will be made available. Stock up your Disaster Supply Kit Charge up electronic devices: phones, radios, etc. 8
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS FOR YOUR PET If your family stays or evacuates, place your pet in a secure pet carrier and be sure to have an adequate supply food and water. Family pets are not allowed in most public shelters. If you must leave your pet at home, prepare an area that is easily cleaned, such as a bathroom or utility room. Do not leave the animal near a window. Leave several days supply of dry food and water in non-spill containers. Important Phone Numbers & Web Sites Please visit OPSO Web Site for updates www.opcso.org OPSO Communications Division: 504-827-8505 Louisiana Sheriff s Pension & Relief Fund Office (Evacuation Location of OPSO Payroll Depart.) 225-219-0500 225-219-0741 Contractors licensed in Louisiana: 225-765-2301 Environmental Quality: 888-764-5424 Department of Vital Records and Health statistics: 504-219-4500 Entergy: 800-368-3749 Cox Communications: 504-304-8444 Sewage and Water Board: 504-529-2837 Family Assistance Center: 866-326-9396 Emergency Operations Center Main Number: 504-658-2210 FEMA: 800-621-FEMA City of New Orleans Health Department: 504-658-2500 To Report a water line break: 504-529-2837 9AM - 5PM American Red Cross: 866-GET INFO American Red Cross Financial Assistance: 866-GET INFO Department of Education: 877-453-2721 Department of Social Services: 888-524-3578 Disaster Legal Services: 800-310-7029 The Salvation Army: 504-835-7220 Department of Parks and Parkways: 504-658-2176 9
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I-10 West Contraflow Lanes: Phase III Contraflow Instructions The eastbound and westbound lanes of I-10 from Clearview Parkway in Metairie to I-55 North in LaPlace will be used as westbound lanes. On the Contraflow Plan, the normal westbound lanes are shown with BROWN arrows and the Contraflow (eastbound) lanes are shown with BLUE arrows. All I-10 West entrances through New Orleans, Metairie and Kenner will be used in their normal manner to gain access to I-10 West. I-55 North Contraflow Lanes: The northbound and southbound lanes of I-55 from I-12 in Hammond to the Mississippi state line will be used as northbound lanes. On the Contraflow Plan, the normal northbound lanes are shown with RED arrows and the Contraflow (southbound) lanes are shown with BROWN arrows. Traffic traveling I-55 North (BROWN) will be diverted onto I-55 North Contraflow and will only be allowed to exit at two locations: Exit 47 (LA-16) in Amite and Exit 61 (LA-38) in Kentwood. I-59 North Contraflow Lanes: The northbound and southbound lanes of I-59, north of the I-10/I-12/I-59 interchange, will be used as northbound lanes. On the Contraflow Plan, the normal northbound lanes are shown with PURPLE arrows and the Contraflow (southbound) lanes are shown with GREEN arrows. BROWN Arrows (I-10/I-55 North to Hammond and Mississippi): In LaPlace, the I-10 West (BROWN) lanes will be diverted to I-55 North toward Hammond and Mississippi. Traffic will not be allowed to continue on I-10 West at this interchange. All traffic traveling on I-55 North will travel in the existing northbound lanes. When traffic traveling on I-55 North reaches the I-55/I-12 interchange in Hammond, I-55 will begin to Contraflow (both the north and south lanes will travel north into Mississippi). BLUE Arrows (I-10 West to Baton Rouge): Traffic destined for Baton Rouge may enter the Contraflow (eastbound) lanes from Clearview Parkway, Veterans Boulevard or Williams Boulevard in New Orleans (see diagrams). Traffic destined for Baton Rouge may enter the Contraflow (eastbound) lanes from I-10 West via a cross- over at the Clearview Parkway overpass. This is the 11
only opportunity to enter the Contraflow (eastbound) lanes from I-10 West without exiting and re-entering the interstate. In LaPlace, I-10 Contraflow traffic (BLUE) will be diverted onto the westbound lanes of I-10 and will continue west on I-10 toward Baton Rouge. RED Arrows (Lake Pontchartrain Causeway to Covington, I-12, Hammond, Mississippi): Northbound traffic on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (RED) will be diverted onto I-12 West (RED) at the US-190/I-12 interchange and will continue on I-12 West to Hammond. I-12 West (RED) will be diverted onto I-55 North (RED) at the I-12/I-55 interchange in Hammond. I-55 North (RED) will continue north into Mississippi. GREEN Arrows (I-10 East to I-59, North to Slidell, Mississippi): I-10 East traffic (GREEN) from New Orleans will cross the I-10 Twin Spans using the three eastbound lanes. Contraflow of I-59 will begin at the I-10/I-12/I-59 interchange. At the I-10/I-12/I-59 interchange, the left and center lanes of eastbound I-10 will be diverted onto southbound I-59 (GREEN). Only the right lane will continue onto I-59 North (PURPLE). The I-10 East (GREEN) traffic will not be allowed to continue on I-10 East or enter I-12 West. PURPLE Arrows (I-59 North to Mississippi from I-10 West): I-10 East traffic (GREEN) from New Orleans will cross the I-10 East Twin Spans using the three eastbound lanes. Only the right lane (GREEN) will continue onto I-59 North (PURPLE). All traffic on I-10 West (PURPLE) from Mississippi will be diverted on I-59 North (PURPLE) at the I-10/I-12/I-59 interchange. I-10 West traffic will not be allowed to continue westbound on I-10 or I-12. ORANGE Arrows (I-12 Westbound - Covington/Hammond): Traffic traveling on I-12 West (RED) between Covington (US-190) and Hammond (I-55) will NOT be allowed to continue on I-12 West. This traffic must divert onto I-55 North. Traffic traveling on I-12 West between Slidell (I-10/I-12/I-59 interchange) and Covington (US-190) will NOT be allowed to continue I-12 West. This traffic will be diverted onto US-190 West. Traffic traveling on US-190 West will be allowed to continue to Baton Rouge. 12
All Interstate exit ramps will be open to normal traffic flow. Interstate exit ramps in the Contraflow lanes will be limited and marked with variable message boards. Study this map and CHOOSE YOUR ROUTE WISELY. There will be many restrictions on the Interstate system. Upon entering the contraflow area, it may not be possible to change routes. Contraflow operations will begin when evacuations are initiated in Jefferson and Orleans parishes. If you do not wish to evacuate under the contraflow restrictions, your best strategy is to LEAVE EARLY before contraflow is activated. 13