2023 Hurricane Season

In Blog, Home Page, Outreach by Libby

No one is ever READY for Hurricane Season. At least not emotionally. But we can take steps to be better prepared.

It’s a fact of life in Southeast Louisiana – Hurricane Season. But there is no need to be afraid when you are prepared and know what it takes to get through the tropical systems.

Hurricane Season 2023 – June 1st – November 30th 

Be sure you and your family are prepared and stay connected and weather aware.

Hurricane Season is here once again. Are you prepared?

LifeSongs wants to make sure you and your family take all the necessary precautions in case of an emergency.

New Orleans Plan

Everyone needs a Game Planwww.getagameplan.org

1. Put Together An Emergency Kit (Including PPP)
2. Make Preparations for Evacuations
3. Stay Informed

City officials stress that there will be no shelters of last resort in the area, though they will help those who need assistance find a safe place.

Special needs/evacuation assistance registration numbers:

Orleans – 311
Jefferson – 504-349-5360
St. Bernard – 504-278-1593
Plaquemines – 504-297-5000
St. Tammany – 985-898-2359

Sign-Up for the Hurricane Alert System
The city wants everyone living in New Orleans to sign-up for a new Hurricane Alert System. Those who register will be contacted via e-mail, cell phone, pager or Blackberry about any storms threatening the region. To sign-up, visit Ready.Nola.gov

Contraflow Plans Ready for Hurricane Season

Click here for contraflow maps.

When a big hurricane is imminent, the only way to get people out of the way is contraflow. The state once again plans to turn the interstates in one direction to evacuate. For our region, there are three sections of highway where contraflow would be used. But state and local leaders hope people plan ahead, and get out early to beat the gridlock if a big storm heads our way.

Phase III Contraflow Instructions

I-10 West Contraflow Lanes:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Traffic traveling I-55 North 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.

I-10/I-55 North to Hammond and Mississippi:

  • In LaPlace, the I-10 West 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).

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 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 will be diverted onto the westbound lanes of I-10 and will continue west on I-10 toward Baton Rouge.

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway to Covington, I-12, Hammond, Mississippi:

  • Northbound traffic on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway will be diverted onto I-12 West at the US-190/I-12 interchange and will continue on I-12 West to Hammond.
  • I-12 West will be diverted onto I-55 North at the I-12/I-55 interchange in Hammond.
  • I-55 North will continue north into Mississippi.

I-10 East to I-59, North to Slidell, Mississippi:

  • I-10 East traffic 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. Only the right lane will continue onto I-59 North.
  • The I-10 East traffic will not be allowed to continue on I-10 East or enter I-12 West.

I-59 North to Mississippi from I-10 West:

  • I-10 East traffic from New Orleans will cross the I-10 East Twin Spans using the three eastbound lanes.
  • Only the right lane will continue onto I-59 North.
  • All traffic on I-10 West from Mississippi will be diverted on I-59 North 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.

I-12 Westbound – Covington/Hammond:

  • Traffic traveling on I-12 West 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.

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.

Emergency Traffic Info
Citizens can get the latest updates on real-time traffic and road conditions by using the 511 Traveler Information System simply by dialing 511 from their telephone and saying the route or region about which they are seeking information. Travelers can also access this information by visiting the 511 Traveler Information Web site at www.511LA.org.

Emergency Shelter Information & Checkpoints
Because of the fluid nature of shelter occupancy, citizens are encouraged to obtain information about shelter openings and locations at shelter information points along the evacuation route. Information about shelter evacuation points will be posted on this site as well as on the Department of Social Services website, the Louisiana State Police website, or by calling the American Red Cross at their toll-free number, (866) GET-INFO or (866) 438-4636.

Personal/Family Emergency Preparedness
Be sure you and your loved ones have a clear plan of action in place in case of a mandatory evacuation, including evacuation maps, emergency contact information, and an emergency preparedness kit. There are six basics that you should stock for your disaster supply kit: water, food, clothing and bedding, first aid supplies, tools and emergency supplies and special items. Click here for a complete list of items for your family disaster supply kit.

Other Resources/Links

www.dotd.louisiana.gov – Printable Contraflow Map

www.scholarworks.uno.edu – Preparing for storms in Louisiana

www.entergystormcenter.com – Energy storm preparedness & updates for your home

www.hurricanesafety.org – Tips from the National Hurricane Survival Initiative (including the National Hurricane Center, FEMA, the Salvation Army and others)

www.emergency.louisiana.gov – Disaster resources from the state of Louisiana

www.getagameplan.org – Links to PDFs and web sites that can help you develop a simple but successful game plan for your family.

new.nola.gov/ready– Everything you need to know to prepare for a disaster from the city of New Orleans, and how to sign up for local emergency updates via text message or email

www.cityofno.com – Evacuation tips, weather resources and emergency information from the city’s Office of Emergency Preparedness

www.ready.gov – Information on hurricane preparation from the federal government

www.fema.gov – Hurricane instructions from the Federal Emergency Management Agency

www.redcross.org – Helpful information from the Red Cross to keep you prepared in the event of an emergency

www.complianceandsafety.com – A comprehensive resource for hurricane safety information

www.nws.noaa.gov – National Weather Service

www.nhc.noaa.gov – National Hurricane Center