Hurricane Preparedness & Response

Office of Homeland Security & Emergency PreparednessCity of New Orleans, Louisiana

NOHSEP: An Overview

• Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness

• Umbrella public safety agency in CNO/Orleans Parish

• Municipal EMA responsible for the protection of life and property

2014 Season: An Overview

• June 1 – November 30– Peak for Gulf region is August/September

• NHC and institutional researchers have predicted a less active season with below average numbers of named and major storms– Still, history shows us that these predictions do

not always hold true…

Be Prepared!• Make a disaster/contingency plan for yourself

your family and your business should a tropical storm threaten our area– If you must evacuate, where?

• Stay informed• Build a disaster kit• If a mandatory evacuation is called, act early!

1. Assess risks to your critical operational functions.

2. Back-up your data & ensure remote access.

3. Advise your supply chain of actions taken.

4. Activate crisis communication plan & Test It.

5. Re-supply emergency kits.

6. Establish contact with your insurance provider.

7. Consider the need for alternate locations.

8. Ensure Employees are Personally Prepared. **Note – Steps above do not constitute a complete plan.

A full Disaster Recovery Business/Continuity Strategyis required for maximum resilience.

Key Steps To Preparedness

• Talk to your key vendors and suppliers about their recovery plans.

• Ask yourself has it been tested?• Develop relationships with alternate

vendors. • Eliminate single points of failure.

• Educate your clients about the importance of preparedness.

• Insure what can’t be protected.• Ensure your crisis scenario doesn’t

have supply chain holes• Keep partners just as informed as

your employees during recovery

Supply Chain: the external vendors and suppliers you rely on todeliver your everyday services and products to members/customers.

Preparing Your Supply Chain

• Develop a process to make sure all stakeholders (internal and external) are aware of decisions and expectations.

• Ensure redundancies independent of cell or terrestrial networks as much as possible

› Ensure Phone List is UP-TO-DATE (with alternate phone #’s)› Utilize multiple cellphone network carriers if possible› Establish phone tree › Password protected web page (centralized emergency status)› Social Media strategy & usage› E-mail alert (have primary & secondary email addresses)› Call-in recording system› Text/Data Alert system – Ensure everyone familiar with system

• Manage customer and key vendor communications.• Prepare a media communications plan.• Test the plan regularly and in the days prior to a “notice event”

Activating Your Crisis Communications Plan

• Make certain you are insured for all potential risks.• Know the different types of coverage and limits.• Consider business interruption insurance and added expense insurance.• Keep photos of your building, equipment lists and policy information

stored in a safe and secure offsite location.• Maintain an up-to-date Asset management program.

MOST losses following hurricanes are due to flooding.Most general policies do not cover flooding. Ensure you fully understand

your coverage and any exposure to risk.Don’t Wait until the Storm is Imminent. Do this Today.

Business Interruption/Resumption Insurance – Coverage to help in rebuilding your company in the event of a business interruption

Added/Extra Expense Insurance – Insurance to cover unexpected added costs in the event of an interruption or unexpected event.

Reviewing Your Insurance Coverage

• Recovery plan• Important records

• Insurance policies• Fixed asset inventory• Contracts

• Operating system install disks• Licensing keys/Passwords• Letterhead• Office Supplies• Cash• Flashlight• Battery powered radio• Batteries• Food & Water for those working

the recovery

Re-Supply Emergency Kits

1. Do they have a plan?a) Evacuation/Shelter planb) Critical Document Storagec) Emergency Alert Systemd) Emergency/Go Kit

2. How can your organization help?a) Workshopsb) Checklistsc) Emergency Kitsd) Family Involvement

Days

Preparing Employees

Disaster Supply Kit

• Water– At least one gallon, preferably three, per person

per day for drinking, sanitation and hygiene purposes

• Food– Non-perishable, easy-to-store foods– Basic utensils including manual can opener

Your Disaster Plan• Your personal disaster plan should have the

following components:– Evacuation plan– Communication plan

• Friends and family• Co-workers and employer

– Pet plan– Re-entry plan

Your Plan: Evacuating• Where will you go?

– Friends, family, hotel/motel– Shelters (leave this as a last option)

• How will you get there?– Plan your route and have an alternate

• Remember, contra-flow is activated during evacuation!– Do you have reliable transportation?– Who will go with you?– Will you be able to achieve this logistically – fuel,

food, etc.?

Preparing Financially• Protect your property

• Conduct a household inventory

• Buy Insurance

• Keep cash with you (ATMs and credit cards may not always work in the aftermath of a storm)

01:25 PM

2003 Cone2003 ConeCurrent ConeCurrent Cone

TC Coastal Flooding Impact GraphicTC Coastal Flooding Impact Graphic

•Storm surge impacts segmented into impact Storm surge impacts segmented into impact levels depending on amount of inundationlevels depending on amount of inundation

•Gives a much richer, detailed view of Gives a much richer, detailed view of impacts versus text productsimpacts versus text products

•Coastal flooding impacts defined locally and Coastal flooding impacts defined locally and available on website next to coastal flooding available on website next to coastal flooding potential impact graphicpotential impact graphic

•http://weather.gov/tcig http://weather.gov/tcig

Hurricane Isaac – 4AM Tue Aug 28, 2012Hurricane Isaac – 4AM Tue Aug 28, 2012

Wind Impact Graphic example from Hurricane IsaacWind Impact Graphic example from Hurricane IsaacThese impact graphics are created by coastal offices only and will NOT These impact graphics are created by coastal offices only and will NOT

accurately indicate threat beyond coastal office forecast areasaccurately indicate threat beyond coastal office forecast areas

1) Levee Updates2) Resolution Improvement3) Most complex and highest resolution basin in the country4) Large and slow moving storms now included (with 2mph motion MEOW available because of Isaac) 5) Coming May 2014

● Storm surge probabilities based on NHC official advisory

● Available roughly 48 hours prior to arrival of TS winds

● Accounts for meteorological uncertainty in:● Track● Size● Forward speed● Intensity

● Uncertainties based on historical errors

● Version 2.0 (2014) also accounts for the tide and is above ground level

Probability Storm Surge (p-surge)

June 1, 2014 – November 30, 2014June 1, 2014 – November 30, 2014

• In New Orleans, we deal with 2 scenarios:– Category 2 or lower– Category 3 or higher– This serves as a benchmark trigger point from which many

decisions are made• Category 3 or higher likely calls for mandatory City

evacuation• Category 2 or lower likely calls for Sheltering in Place

– But, there might be a situation with a strong Category 2 storm that would initiate the City evacuation process

• All evacuations are ultimately the decision of the Mayor

HURRICANE ISSAC

• Shift by Louisiana from activating plans based solely on the Safir-Simpson scale:– e.g., Contraflow for only Cat 3 or above

• “All-Hazards” approach based upon forecasting by National Weather Service– Forecast modeling

• Track guidance• Intensity guidance

– Rainfall forecast– Marine forecast– Storm surge estimates– Wind estimates

HURRICANE ISSAC• Slow-moving Cat 1

– Tuesday, August 28: 30 WSW of Venice, NW @ 13 MPH– Wednesday, August 29: Landfall @ Lower

Terrebonne/Lafourche, NW @ 6 MPH– Thursday, August 30: Downgraded to a Tropical Storm

• Remained Tropical Storm into Southern Arkansas• Remained Remnant Low into Illinois and Indiana

• Rainfall and storm surge posed significant risks for citizens in Louisiana and Mississippi– Tangipahoa River– Pearl River

Plans: Category 1-2 (Optional Evacuation)Plans: Category 1-2 (Optional Evacuation)

• People can choose to evacuate even without us advising to do so• Those remaining should be self-sustaining for at least 72hrs• Citizens should always prepare for loss of power and/or water for

extended periods• We advise them to have:

– Medicines, non-perishable foods, and water as well as alternate ways to keep them cold and/or heat them

• One gallon of water per person per day– Flashlights, battery operated radios (and batteries), manual can

opener, first aid kits with hand sanitizer, pet food, etc. (ready.nola.gov)

• Citizens should “batten down the hatches” and secure any items in your yard or on the porch that could be impacted by high winds

• Public safety agencies will shelter in place– Emergency response possibly delayed if wind speed is excessive

Plans: Category 3+ (Mandatory Evacuation)Plans: Category 3+ (Mandatory Evacuation)

• CAEP: Evacuspots will serve as collection points. One bag per person/have personal records such as birth certificate, insurance, homeowners, etc/medicines/plan to bring some cash just in case. 25k-30k persons in conjunction with DHH and DCFS to partner shelters. Will bring them back in re-entry phase.

• Self-evac (Leave EARLY – PRIOR to contraflow): – Gas up tank/have family plan to ensure everyone knows what to do/know

multiple routes to pre-determined evac point (having multiple locations is also advised should situation force you elsewhere)/know contraflow/bring food & water/personal records/medicines/cash in case ATMs are not online

– Don’t forget the pets! • Those who choose NOT to leave:

– Assume all risk for you and your family– Must understand there will be a time at which you will be on your own – self-supporting – without assistance. – 1st responders will NOT be able to service your call for help until it is safe for

them to go out as well. Will be at pre-assigned hardened locations. – Curfew will also be in effect and if found away from your property, you will be

subject to arrest – period.

2014 New Orleans City Assisted Evacuation Timeline

Note: This is only to be used as a guideline. It is thought to be a reasonable timeline; however, there may be more or less time available depending on the circumstances of the actual event.

60 01236

Launch CAE; Dispatch buses and security

Make Ready

EXECUTE CAEP

TS Winds Reach

Coastal LA

~12 hrs prior to hurricane landfall

3040

State Phase 1: Evacuation of areas outside of any levee protection system

State Phase 2: Evacuation of areas north of

Intracoastal Canal & south/west of Interstate 10

and Mississippi River

84

State/Feds lean forward with Evacuation buses

Begin MSY runs for Visitors & Tourists

5458 24 6

RTA begins pickups at 17 locations

5072

PHASE DOWN CAEP

Regional Information fusion CTR activated

48

TSA/USDOT lean forward

with packages

NOPD, LSP, LANG, OPSO lean forward w/ security/staging areas

established

RTA, MSY, NOMCVB, SPCA, and others

activating hurricane plans

State Phase 3: Evacuation of areas north/east of the

Mississippi River and south of Interstate 12; State implements

Contraflow; Mayor orders Mandatory Evacuation

State buses with last evacuees leave city

RTA ends pickups at 17 locations

MSY Shuts Down

First Responders to Task Force

ALRs

SITUATION• 2 million people at risk in Southeast Louisiana

– 1.2 million in New Orleans Metro area alone• Very limited number of evacuation routes from population

sources• More vulnerable areas need to evacuate first• Hurricane Ivan evacuation in 2004 proved that evacuations

need to be managed: – “Gentlemen start your engines!” is not a viable solution

PHASED EVACUATION(hours prior to onset of Tropical Storm Winds)

• PHASE I - (50 hours) Area south of Intracoastal Waterway, outside of levee protection system, vulnerable to Cat 1 or 2, no route restrictions

PHASED EVACUATION(hours prior to onset of Tropical Storm Winds)

• PHASE II - (40 hours) Area south of the Mississippi River, levee protected, vulnerable to Cat 2 or higher, suggested routes but no restrictions

KEY CONTRAFLOW POINTS

• Congestion during an evacuation is inevitable

• Contraflow does not solve congestion, but makes better use of existing infrastructure

• The public needs to be educated and informed on plans and given realistic expectations

• The H-30 mark initiates Phase III where Contraflow can be implemented

OVERVIEW OF PHASE III CONTRAFLOW

How do we get the message out?

• NOHSEP utilizes several methods, or platforms, to disseminate critical information during emergencies:

• NOLA Ready Emergency Alert System (EAS)• NOLA Ready Website• NOLA Ready Materials• NOLA Ready Social Media (Facebook and Twitter)• Press Conferences/Outreach Events

NOLA Ready Social Media

• It has become increasingly apparent that social media is now an official source of information

• Not only for messages going out, but messages coming in

• CEOC now processes social media inputs as official intelligence

• During tropical weather: flooding, trees down, traffic lights out, etc.

• Threats

The Value of Community Partnerships

• A significant portion of our public relations is targeted towards vulnerable populations

• We utilize community partnerships with faith-based, non-profit and similar organizations to reach the maximum number of citizens

• Religious organizations• Non-profits such as ARC• Homeless service providers• Hotel security group• Council members

311 & NOLA Ready 311 & NOLA Ready • Know anyone that might need assistance?

– Neighbor, friend at church, elderly friend of a grandparent or parent, etc

• Register for the CAE via 311 or ready.nola.gov– 311 will help find the closest Pick-up Point to your address– Medical needs/transportation needs will be addressed as part

of this process – Special Needs Registry managed by the Health Department

– Prepare NOW (update profiles year-round)– Sign-up for NOLA Ready to receive emergency alerts via text

and/or email• Effectively manage your account online. 20 different alert categories

by location, type and other useful groups including reverse 911• Don’t forget to check your text plan with your provider

After the Storm• Pay attention to local authorities

• If mandatory evacuation was called, an “all-clear” will be announced once it is safe to enter the city

• Apply for tiered re-entry placards if you must come back before the general population (critical businesses etc.)

• Reentry.nola.gov

• Always carry ID once you’re back in town• Bring food and water back with you because local stores may

not be up and running yet• Do a full check of your home and property for damage and

other hazards

Re-Entry (only during mandatory evac)Re-Entry (only during mandatory evac)

• Phased – Businesses be sure to register for placards early– Based on safety and services needed to reconstitute

• Curfew– In place for everyone that is in City post-storm

• General guidance– If found anywhere other than placard-based business,

subject to arrest – period.

Re-Entry (Only for Mandatory Evacuation)Re-Entry (Only for Mandatory Evacuation)

• Phased – Businesses be sure to register for

placards early- before a storm is in the Gulf

– Based on safety and services needed to reconstitute

– Over 5,000 placards or renewal stickers issued this year to businesses (hospitals, banks, critical services)

• Curfew will be in place for everyone that is in City post-storm– If found anywhere other than

placard-based business, subject to arrest – period.

Louisiana Business EOC The Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center (LA BEOC) enhances

participation by businesses and non-profit organizations in disaster management efforts through the development and deployment of public-private partnerships for the benefit of the State of Louisiana.

The LA BEOC is a joint partnership between:

• Louisiana Economic Development (LED)• Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

(GOHSEP)• National Incident Management Systems & Advanced Technologies

(NIMSAT) Institute at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette• Stephenson Disaster Management Institute (SDMI) at Louisiana State

University More Information and Registration is at www.labeoc.org

Stay Informed!• Visit http://www.nola.ready.gov

• Register for NOLA Ready EAS

• Request outreach events

• Request preparedness literature

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nohsep

• Twitter: @nolaready

• State: http://www.getagameplan.org/

Be Prepared!• Smartphone Apps• Red Cross(Hurricane, First Aid, Tornado), The Weather

Channel, WWL Radio, Alert FM, National Weather Service, WDSU Hurricane Central, US Army Survival Manual, Boy Scout Handbook, Bible

• Business Preparedness www.readyrating.org www.labeoc.org www.ready.gov/business www.disastersafety.org

Eric PickeringEric Pickeringkepickering@nola.gov504-658-8700 (office)504-658-8700 (office)

New Orleans Office of Homeland Security & New Orleans Office of Homeland Security & Emergency PreparednessEmergency Preparedness

1300 Perdido Street, Suite 9W03New Orleans, LA 70112

ready.nola.govready.nola.gov@nolaready@nolaready

facebook.com/nohsepfacebook.com/nohsep