Early Responders, Forever Responders

This hurricane season, Catholic Charities will monitor and respond to any weather threats to ensure the safety of our community. With south Louisiana’s geographic vulnerability to emergency weather conditions, we have taken a significant step by hiring our first year-round, full-time emergency management coordinator, Kevin Carlson.

Division Director Tom Costanza explains, “Within our organization, we have plans set up when a storm is 72 hours out and 48 hours out. Kevin will be the point person to bring everyone together. Once the storm hits, we’ll assess the damage and do what we’ve been doing over the last several years. Archbishop Aymond likes to say we are the early responders and the forever responders.”

To prepare at home, we recommend making an emergency kit with a flashlight, radio, batteries, first aid supplies, cash, copies of important documents (birth certificates, medical records, insurance forms, etc.), medications, nonperishable food items, and clean drinking water to last each family member three days. Make sure you have signed up for emergency alerts, and join us in prayer for God to watch over us in the upcoming months:

“Our Father in Heaven through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us during this hurricane season from all harm. Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

For more information on preparing for hurricane season, visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes.