BATON ROUGE, La. – Hurricane season has started and the safety and well-being of occupants living in FEMA temporary housing units is an important concern of the agency. Below are tips for preparing for hurricane related weather.
What to do During Severe Weather:
- If severe weather is predicted, stay alert to weather warnings and comply with any local official evacuation orders.
- Use the weather radio to monitor evacuation orders. Evacuate immediately if local officials recommend manufactured housing occupants find sturdier shelter.
- Should local officials recommend manufactured housing occupants find sturdier shelter, evacuate immediately. Survivors in travel trailers must leave the trailer in place.
- Never take shelter in a travel trailer or manufactured housing unit during high winds, tornadoes, hurricanes or floods.
Expectations for FEMA Temporary Housing Occupants Before, During and After Severe Weather
- FEMA strongly encourages applicants to get renters insurance while they are in FEMA units.
- Applicants in FEMA temporary housing units should develop their own evacuation and emergency communication plans.
- Occupants in FEMA temporary housing units should always follow the instructions given for evacuation by the state or local emergency management officials. Those who do not have the ability to evacuate can contact their local emergency manager or call 211 to help them with their transportation needs.
- Do not leave your pet behind in a manufactured housing unit or travel trailer during severe weather.
- If an occupant’s unit is damaged, they are encouraged to contact their case worker to advise whether the occupant can return home, or they may call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service. The toll-free telephone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6.