GRETNA, La. — Jefferson Parish Emergency Management Director, Joseph Valiente, said the parish is 'hurricane ready.'
Valiente has been keeping a close eye on the Gulf.
“It’s very active in the tropics right now. Currently, we don’t have anything that’s a cause for concern, but we want to make sure that the workforce has full situational awareness," Valiente said.
That's why the team's meteorologist started sending updates on the tropics to the entire Jefferson Parish workforce last week. They can be accessed anytime online, Valiente said. Valiente said they've also made a lot of changes since Hurricane Ida.
“This map is located directly behind the parish president because this is where we sit. This is our war room," Valiente said.
The map was created in March and April and outlines the parish's plan depending on how much time there is before a storm hits.
“We already have our decisions outlined for us," Valiente said.
Valiente said they've completely revamped the emergency operations plan. It details what role every Jefferson Parish department should play in a public-assisted evacuation and how to get the parish's most vulnerable citizens out of harm's way.
For example, Valiente said they know losing power is likely no matter how big the storm is, so they considered plans for those who need oxygen or electricity for their health.
No matter a tornado or hurricane, they've thought through most scenarios, Valiente said.
“There shouldn’t be any curveballs that we won’t be able to handle," Valiente said.
Jefferson Parish employees have also been trained in pre and post storm sheltering, Valiente said.
“We’ve done a tremendous amount of shelter training," Valiente said.
The staff did a simulation to get familiar with setting up the shelter, checking people in and knowing what their responsibilities are should they need to activate one of the shelters across the parish.
Jefferson Parish also has a 'shelter of last resort' in Terrytown. It can withstand high winds but would be evacuated as soon as the storm passes, Valiente said.