Plaquemines Parish
Timeline Delineation Guidelines for Evacuation (Including Tropical Storm Force Winds)

The following is a guideline on how we monitor storms that may affect Plaquemines Parish. We are providing this to our residents so as we prepare and make decisions, you and your family will have a better understanding of our procedures and be well prepared in advance to move quickly. Exact instructions for evacuations will be announced as a threat approaches Plaquemines Parish.

A. 120 hours (5 days) prior to anticipated landfall
Monitor storm

B. 96-72 hours prior to anticipated landfall
Level III Activation

    • Storm predicted to enter Gulf of Mexico
    • Louisiana Coast to be affected
    • Tropical Storm force winds or greater may have effect on SE LA area
    • Potential strengths and effects evaluated

C.72-60 hours prior to anticipated landfall
Level II Activation

    • Storm predicted to enter the Gulf of Mexico within 12 hours
    • Effects on SE LA and surrounding area conference calls will have commenced with shared action statements and plans
    • Staff preparations and EOC activation notifications to staff (2 hour warning)
    • Public notification statements prepared to be released at specific timelines based on location, size, direction, forward speed, and potential intensification
    • Prepare EOC, check communications, fuel and other resources
    • Share intentions with contiguous Parishes

D.60-45 hours prior to anticipated landfall
Level I Activation

    • Storm has entered the Gulf of Mexico
    • Implementation of action statements and public advisories
    • Conference calls continue
    • State of Emergency declared (48-45 hours)
    • Public advisory of specific areas to be affected
    • Mandatory evacuation areas and curfews announced along with times of commencement    (48-45 hours)
    • ?oe?oe?oe?oe If storm is Category 2 or higher and maintains a critical path, mandatory evacuation and timelines statements will be issued
    • Nursing homes and special needs evacuations (48-45 hours) begin

*****DUE TO CONTRAFLOW IMPLEMENTATION, ALL EVACUATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED BY 30 HOURS PRIOR TO LANDFALL. *****

Non-essential public employees evacuate at 33 hours.  Deploy “Away” team to out-of-area EOC for Web coordination, etc.  All essential personnel begin 12-hour shifts.

If Tropical Storm Force winds affect the area:

    1. Residents in FEMA travel trailers EVACUATE when sustained winds are expected to exceed 50 mph to 74 mph.
    2. Recommend evacuation of area to be affected.
    3. Hide from the wind, run from the water

Category

Wind speed*

Right Front Quadrant of Storm

Potential Surge

1

74-95 mph

Wind gusts up to 40 mph greater

6-10 feet

2

96-110 mph

Wind gusts of 60 mph greater

10-20 feet

3

111-130 mph

Wind gusts of 80 mph greater

20-28 feet

4

131-155 mph

Wind gusts if 80 mph greater

28-30 feet

5

155+ mph

Wind gusts exceed 200 mph

30+ feet

*Winds do not include Right Quadrant tornados