Living With Rhythm, Living With Storms

There’s something poetic about life in New Orleans. It moves like music, like a Sunday second line, like the hush before a brass band begins. But within the beauty, there is also the reality: this city lives in rhythm with hurricanes. Not in fear of them—in reverent understanding.

Storms will come. And you can meet them with steadiness.

This guide isn’t here to alarm you. It’s here to offer what the city itself offers: preparation wrapped in wisdom, caution wrapped in kindness.

1. Know the Season: When to Be Most Alert

Hurricane season in New Orleans begins June 1 and ends November 30, with the most active months being August and September.

Mark your calendar for an annual check-in at the start of June. It’s a quiet way to ground yourself. Run through your plan, refill supplies, check in on neighbors. Small things, big impact.

2. Understand Where You Live: Flood Zones & Evacuation Areas

Every neighborhood carries its own history and topography. Some areas are more vulnerable than others.

How to Check Your Zone:

Visit the FEMA Flood Map Service Center
Know your zone: AE = high risk, X (shaded) = moderate, X (unshaded) = low

Know Your Evacuation Routes:

The city uses zones A, B, and C to stagger evacuations.

Download the NOLA Ready app
Sign up for alerts at ready.nola.gov

A little awareness now saves a lot of scrambling later.

3. Insurance: The Unseen Safety Net

Many are surprised to learn that basic homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding.

You’ll want:

Homeowners or renters insurance (for wind and hurricane damage)
Flood insurance (through FEMA/NFIP or private)

📅 Important: Flood policies typically have a 30-day waiting period. Get it before the clouds gather.

4. Create a Grounded, Loving Plan

This isn’t about worst-case scenarios. It’s about having clarity in chaos.

Ask yourself:

If we need to leave, where will we go?
How will we reconnect if separated?
Who needs extra care: elders, pets, young children?

Keep key documents safe: insurance, ID, prescriptions, property photos—ideally saved both digitally and in a waterproof pouch.

Even a little bit of planning is a powerful act of care.

5. Build a Kit That Carries You

Think of this like packing for a trip where you stay home.

The Essentials:

Water (1 gallon per person, per day)
Non-perishable food (3+ days)
Flashlights + batteries
Battery or crank radio
First aid kit
Medications (7-day supply)
Phone chargers + power banks
Cash
Important papers (waterproofed)
Toiletries, pet food, comfort items

And maybe something small that makes you feel human—a good book, a favorite tea, a soft blanket.

6. Evacuate or Shelter? Listen to the Storm, and to the City

You’ll hear two kinds of announcements:

Voluntary evacuation: You can leave.
Mandatory evacuation: You must leave.

Questions to guide your decision:

Am I in a flood-prone area?
Do I have the resources to shelter for 3+ days?
Is someone in my home especially vulnerable?

If the answer is yes to any of these, consider leaving early—before roads clog, before stress builds.

And if you need help evacuating, the city offers services through NOLA Ready Assisted Evacuation. Reach out early.

7. When the Storm Is Coming

When a storm is named, take a deep breath and begin.

Top off your gas tank
Charge devices
Set fridge/freezer to the coldest setting
Fill bathtubs with water (for flushing, not drinking)
Move valuables off the floor
Secure outdoor furniture

Photo-document your space. Not just for insurance—for memory, too.

8. During the Storm: Quiet, Steady, Safe

Stay indoors, away from windows
Use flashlights, not candles
Keep refrigerator/freezer closed as much as possible
Follow updates via radio or phone

Do not drive in floodwaters. Ever. Water that looks shallow can lift a car. Trust your instincts. Stay put.

9. After the Storm: Breathe, Assess, Reconnect

Even once winds calm, the recovery unfolds slowly.

Expect:

Power outages
Communication blackouts
Limited fuel and supplies
Curfews or restricted access

Take photos of all damage before cleaning up. Contact your insurer early. Check on neighbors.

Recovery is not a race. Go gently.

10. Community Carries Us

This city thrives on connection. Storms have a way of showing us how much we belong to each other.

Tap into:

Local groups on social media
Neighborhood associations
NOLA Ready alerts
Community centers and food banks

Ask for help. Offer it. You’re not alone in any of this.

11. Consider Everyone: Kids, Pets, Elders

👶 Kids: Create normalcy—a routine, snacks, games, their favorite show downloaded.

🐾 Pets: Leashes, carriers, vet records, meds, food. Register with pet-friendly shelters if needed.

👵 Elders: Ensure mobility aids, prescriptions, and contact lists are easy to access. Check in more often.

Care for the whole circle. Not just safety, but dignity.

12. Your Spirit Matters, Too

Hurricane prep isn’t just physical. It’s emotional.

You may feel fear. Restlessness. Sadness. All of that is valid.

What helps:

Limiting news intake
Music that calms you
Small, tactile routines (a candle, a journal, a stretch)
Staying connected, even virtually

Resilience isn’t about being unfazed. It’s about staying rooted while the winds blow.

Final Word: This City Has Taught Us How

New Orleans doesn’t just teach you how to prep for hurricanes. It teaches you how to live with awareness, joy, and connection—even in the face of uncertainty.

So you prepare. Not out of fear, but from a place of love. For your people. For your pets. For your peace of mind.

The storm will pass. You’ll rise. We always do.

Weathering the Storm: What You Need to Know About Hurricane Prep in New Orleans