Morgan City sits on the banks of the Atchafalaya River, approximately 70 miles west of New Orleans, 60 miles south of Baton Rouge and 60 miles east of Lafayette. Morgan City is known worldwide for fishing, hunting and fine Cajun cuisine, and is the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico for the shrimping and oilfield industries.
Its proximity to the gulf makes it vulnerable to hurricanes, and one of the worst to hit there was 1992’s Hurricane Andrew, who came ashore about twenty miles from town. Andrew was the second most destructive hurricane in United States history, after having crossed Florida and then regaining strength in the Gulf of Mexico. Andrew caused more property damage than Hugo, Agnes and Betsy combined, with damages estimated at $25 billion. Twenty-three people died during the storm.
Morgan City, being dedicated to minimizing loss of life and property associated with flooding and storms, provides education and prevention tools to help their community during natural disasters. Knowing what to do during a tropical storm or hurricane is crucial to your safety, and Morgan City provides this information to help the residents of its city who are vulnerable to hurricanes and in flood prone areas. A little prevention and education is the best way to keep yourself and property safe from damage.
FLOOD AND WIND SAFETY
Learn the safest route from your home or business to higher, safer ground, but stay tuned to reports of changing flood conditions.
If emergency officials tell you to evacuate or leave your home, go immediately to a shelter, hotel or relative’s house. If you have pets, make sure they are cared for; check shelters to see if they take pets, and bring food and water for them as well as yourself.
Turn off all utilities, gas and electricity at the main switch. Stay away from power lines and electrical lines. Be alert for gas leaks.
Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning is the number one cause of flood related deaths. Currents can be deceptive; six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
Do not drive through a flooded area. More people drown in their cars than in any other location. Vehicles also push water into homes and cause additional property damage.
Install hurricane shutters on your home. Not only do hurricane shutters protect you from high winds and wind-borne debris, they protect you from the pressure changes that happen during a hurricane. Pressure changes can actually rip your roof off, and hurricane shutters can stop this. Hurricane shutters come in a variety of styles and sizes to fit your home; Colonial shutters, Bahama shutters, Accordion shutters, or the ultra-convenient rolling shutters can all be fitted to your windows and doors, and provide you with the protection your home deserves.
