If you are evacuating ahead of a hurricane, there are at least 15 basic things you should do before hitting the road, emergency officials say. 

Your top priorities should be the safety of your people (loved ones and neighbors), pets and property.

Related: Tips for evacuating with children

Before there’s a pressing storm threat, take time to make a plan. Identify several destinations in different directions. Destinations include a friend’s or relative’s home, a public shelter and hotels. Find out if you need to pick up loved ones on your way out of town. How will you transport your pets?

If you live in a trailer or mobile home, authorities strongly recommend evacuating for any storm. For other residents, the severity of the storm will determine if you evacuate or shelter in place. Here are questions to ask yourself when trying to decide what to do.

Do before leaving

Once you decide to leave, tell your loved ones where you are going and keep them updated. Posting on social media also helps so people can check your status there instead of draining your phone battery by calling and texting you.

Check on your elderly relatives and neighbors and see if anyone needs a ride or supplies.

Take your animals with you or find someone who can evacuate with them or care for them temporarily. Plan ahead for large animals like horses and cattle. Bring food and pet supplies, including proof of vaccination and a leash or travel crate.

And pack your patience. Traffic is much heavier when there’s a storm threat, and New Orleans officials say you should estimate that it will take at least four times longer than usual to get to your destination. Traffic will get heavier as the storm threat gets closer. Leave with a full tank of gas, snacks and activities to occupy your time, including a phone charger.

Property prep before leaving

If you live in a trailer or mobile home, evacuate for any storm, authorities say. Before you leave:

• Shut off fuel lines but do not disconnect them.
• Turn off the water where it enters your home.
• Use both “over the top” and “frame” ties to secure your home.

Everyone, including those in mobile homes, should do the following before evacuating:

• Gather items you need. See suggestions below.
• Remove debris from gutters, downspouts and storm drains.
• Bring outdoor furniture and decorations inside.
• Secure or bring garbage bins inside.
• Make and place sandbags if needed.
• Lock all doors and windows.
• Empty your fridge and freezer or put everything into garbage bags and then back into the appliance.
• Turn the fridge/freezer temperature to the lowest setting before leaving.
• Unplug household items, especially electronics, in case there’s a power surge.
• Move possessions to your highest floor.
• Photograph your property for insurance purposes.
• Cover your windows with plywood or storm shutters.
• Secure boats and recreational vehicles.
• Turn off electricity, water and propane gas. Leave natural gas on, unless you are instructed to turn it off.
• Leave a key with a neighbor or friend who is staying so they can access your house if needed.

Pro tips for your fridge

Take your frozen and refrigerated food with you in a cooler, especially your expensive meat and seafood.

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Anything else, put inside thick garbage bags, then put the bags back in the freezer. If the power goes out and everything melts, throw out the bags to clean up the mess. 

Related: Tips for cleaning fridge after a storm

To help you know how long the power was out, place a clear plastic pitcher with whole ice cubes in the freezer. When you get home, if the electricity is still off, throw away the melted food in the bag.

If the electricity has gone off and come back on, you will be able to tell by looking at the pitcher of ice. If it is a solid block of ice then you know that everything has defrosted and frozen again. Throw your food out because it’s not safe to eat.

If the ice cubes were partially melted but many of them are still in the shape of ice cubes, you know it was not a total defrost job. Here’s a list from the FDA about what’s safe and what’s not to eat after power outages.

A full fridge and freezer will hold its temperature longer. Fill containers or double-bagged Ziplocs with water and use them to fill gaps.

Turn the temperature to the lowest setting before leaving.

Packing list for evacuating

Several cars stop on the shoulder due to mechanical issues as westbound traffic on Interstate 10 alternates between a crawl and a standstill as drivers evacuate Saturday afternoon, August 28, 2021, while southeast Louisiana braces for Hurricane Ida’s landfall Sunday.

This is the suggested packing list from New Orleans emergency officials and LSU AgCenter experts:

• Clothes. If you are in a rush, a pro tip is to take your hamper with your dirty clothes and wash them at your destination.
• Cell phone, important electronics and chargers, including car chargers
• Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and toiletries
• Face masks, sanitizer and disinfecting wipes
• Bedding
• Identification
• Cash, credit cards, checkbook, etc.
• List of emergency contacts, including numbers for doctors and vets
• Medications, copy of medical records and prescriptions
• Specialty items needed for children
• Birth and marriage certificates
• Documents that prove where you live
• Wills, deeds, titles, etc.
• Insurance policies
• Pet supplies, including proof of vaccination and leash or travel crate
• Activities, especially for children
• Roadside emergency kit with a printed map. Cell service is often limited and phone navigation service may be spotty.
• Food and water for the trip because services may be limited for several hours while driving.
• Laptop or tablet
• List of your usernames and passwords
• More suggestions from LSU AgCenter

Here are suggested items for children from the LSU AgCenter:

• Tablet or phone with downloaded shows and games
• Handheld video games (Example: Nintendo Switch)
• Headphones
• Snacks
• Several favorite books
• Crayons and paper
• Children’s puzzles
• Children’s board games (checkers, dominoes, etc.)
• Card games (Go Fish, Old Maid, Uno, etc.)
• Two favorite small toys, such as a doll or action figure
• A cherished stuffed animal
• A treasured blanket and/or pillow
• Pictures of family and pets
• Other special items that will comfort children

Evacuating ahead of a hurricane with children can add another layer of difficulty to an already challenging situation. Here are some tips from…

Judy Walker and Mark Schleifstein contributed to this story.

Sources: Times-Picayune archives, National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, NOAA and NOLA Ready.

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