UL Lafayette: Department: Main Page

Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30.

Register for UL Lafayette’s Emergency Notification System at ens.louisiana.edu. Check the ULL website, www.louisiana.edu, to find out if the university will close. If you live on campus, check with Student Housing to find out when you must evacuate.

There are two good websites that offer detailed information on tropical storms, with regular updates and projections, emergency preparedness information, and much more. For more information, you may go to The National Hurricane Center and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). You may also go to the web site for the university’s general procedures for hurricane preparedness.

WHERE TO GO

When everyone is leaving the city, it can be difficult to find a hotel, so people end up driving far away as they look for a vacancy. You can avoid this problem by making a reservation as soon as it looks like you may need to evacuate; you can always cancel the reservation if it becomes obvious that evacuation is unnecessary. The later you leave, the farther you’ll have to go to find a room. There are several inexpensive motel chains that can be found throughout the Southeast, in small towns as well as in larger cities. You can find their national numbers in the Yellow Pages or you can check their websites online.

HOW TO GO

Car:

If you have a car, check with your friends to see if others need a ride. Do not wait until the last minute to leave the city. Remember that everyone else is leaving too, and traffic will move so slowly that it can take several hours to go just 100 miles. Leave the city with a full tank of gas and a map. To avoid the worst traffic, try leaving in the early morning. Once outside of the city you may want to get off the Interstate and travel the smaller highways to avoid traffic jams.

Bus:

The bus is probably a better choice than the train because it ’s cheaper and there are many more options, but, once again, you must move quickly. Pick your destination, make sure you can get there by bus, make your hotel or shelter arrangements, then buy your bus ticket. You can reach Greyhound bus by calling 1-800-231-2222. You can find the website at www.greyhound.com.

ULL Bus:

Limited bus transportation is available to evacuate those resident and international students who are unable to evacuate on their own. These students may only bring minimal personal belongings that they are able to hold on their lap. NO SUITCASES are allowed and all personal belongings must be in a book bag or small duffle/gym bag.

BEFORE THE STORM

• Prepare your disaster kit
• Plan where you will go
• Plan how you will get there and when you will depart
• Notify your family and friends of your evacuation plans
• To help you prepare for your hurricane preparedness game plan, please go to Get a Game Plan

WHAT TO BRING

You should prepare your disaster evacuation kit (items below) before the start of hurricane season. When evacuating, take these items with you:

• Immigration documents including passport, I-20 or DS 2019 and I-94 card
• Other important documents such as: social security card, proof of residence, birth & marriage certificates, insurance policies, tax records, etc.
• Prescription medication and first aid kit
• Clothing and bedding including sleeping bags, blankets and pillows
• Battery-operated radio, flashlight, and extra batteries
• Enough non-perishable food and water for at least 3 days (1gallon per person per day)
• Important books, laptop, etc.
• Cell phone and charger
• Car keys and maps
• Cash and credit cards
• Sturdy shoes

AFTER THE STORM

During times of emergency or school closure, current University information is available to the public by telephone at (337) 482-2222 or www.louisiana.edu. If the University loses its primary telecommunications capacity, public information will be available at (765) 285-2222. Monitor the ULL website regularly to find out when the institution will re-open.

Document last revised Thursday, June 5, 2008 1:18 PM