By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – According to the results of the latest L’Observateur online poll, about one-third of respondents are completely ready for hurricane season, which officially begins today.

Last weekend, there was a statewide sales tax holiday on items necessary to prepare for this time of year, so L’Observateur asked visitors to its website how prepared they are for storm season. As stated above, nearly one-third of those who responded said they were completely prepared should a hurricane strike the area.

An equal umber of respondents said they had done at least one of the steps needed to prepare for storm season. While only 2 percent of respondents said they had prepared an evacuation supply pack containing items such as bottled water and canned food, nearly 10 percent said they had purchased a generator and/or other items necessary in the event of an extended power outage. Another 20 percent said they had an evacuation plan in place should the need arise.

While it seems a majority of those in the River Parishes have taken at least one of the steps to prepare for hurricane season, a large part of the population still have not yet begun. Nearly 40 percent of respondents said they had not done anything to prepare.

A full breakdown of results follows:

• 2 percent of respondents chose “I have collected and stored items such as bottled water and canned goods that may be necessary in the event of power outages or an evacuation order.”

• 9 percent of respondents chose “I bought a generator and/or other items that I will need in case a hurricane strikes and power is out for an extended period.”

• 20 percent of respondents chose “I have an evacuation plan.”

• 30 percent of respondents chose “All of the above.”

• 39 percent of respondents chose “None of the above.”