MDOT advices residents to prepare evacuation plans and kits for hurricane season

As potential storms draw near, the Mississippi Department of Transportation advices residents to prepare their evacuation routes and kits for safety.

“Our biggest threat that we have are tornadoes that will brew on the outside of a hurricane as it comes and hits the Gulf Coast,” says LEMA Director Odie Barrett. “Normally, we’re on the east side of it-that’s going to be the worst part of the storm and we could get some tornadoes off of it.”

If residents must evacuate their homes, they need to be sure where their next location will be and prepare for heavy traffic.

“If you live in a trailer, you should go find someone who has a house. You want to get into a basement, get into a middle room, get in a room that’s stable in the middle of the house and make sure you have blankets and pillows to cover yourself with.”

All essential items should be packed in what is called an emergency preparedness kit.

“We want to make sure that we’ve got our phones charged, we have extra batteries for flashlights, medication, and non-prescription medication. For the kids, make sure we have coloring books or games for them to have.”

In your emergency kit, you should pack masks, a gallon of water per person, nonperishable foods and an extra set of clothing.

To learn more about evacuation plans and kits visit GoMDOT.com/hurricanes