With one of the most annually dreaded seasons approaching, it’s important to remember to plan accordingly and plan ahead.

When Mother Nature comes knocking on your door, will you be ready?

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has put together a great program: “Get a Game Plan.” The goal is simple, to ensure the proper planning for Louisiana residents by protecting property, reducing the impact of future disasters, and potentially saving lives.

Get a Game Plan breaks it down into three components:

1. Put Together an Emergency Kit

2. Make Preparations

3. Stay Informed

Making preparations during an emergency can be a difficult last minute challenge, so plan early and plan ahead.

Be sure to identify your possible evacuation locations ahead of time and have multiple options. Be familiar with evacuation routes as you may be detouring away from routes you are familiar with.

If an evacuation hasn’t been called, this doesn’t mean your property is not at risk. Be sure to put away all loose items that are outside and protect all valuables in your home, including important documents. It’s even suggested to move objects to higher levels, away from windows, and cover them for protection.

Most importantly, we need to stay informed. Visit our parish website to sign up for email alerts and receive emergency messages. Tune in to WWL 870 AM Radio, Channel 15 Government Access Channel and all other media outlets.

The leadership in the River Region have been working extremely hard to advocate for our West Shore Hurricane Protection Levee.

We have experienced large amounts of water in streets and drainage arteries that we have never seen before.

Canals are eroding and property is being lost because of the high amounts of water flow. We need your help; call and write your legislators in DC to let them know that protecting the River Region must be a priority.

Hurricane Isaac proved our vulnerability to Mother Nature in the heat of hurricane season and the strong need to expedite this nearly one billion dollar project.

It is imperative that we continue to promote the significance of the River Region on a national scale.

We are the home to the Port of South Louisiana, the largest tonnage port district in the western hemisphere, and house some of the nation’s largest refineries.

We are the I-10 connector from New Orleans to Baton Rouge and the entrance to I-55. Levee protection for the River Region cannot be an option but rather a priority in the sustainability of our local and national economy.

For a complete guide to Hurricane Preparedness visitgetagameplan.org andsjbparish.com for local information. Stay safe this hurricane season and don’t forget: Get a Plan.

Michael P. Wright is St. John the Baptist Parish Council District 5 representative. Contact him at District5@sjbparish.com.