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Louisiana hurricane guide

Louisiana's Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) coordinates the state's hurricane response, but evacuation orders come from each parish. Start with your parish page, and use these statewide services for shelter information, insurance, price gouging, and disaster benefits. For help at any hour, dial 211 from anywhere in Louisiana.

Checked on October 2, 2026

Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

Parishes

Choose your parish. Louisiana has parishes instead of counties. Each parish page has its emergency numbers, evacuation zones, and shelters, and lists its cities and towns.

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B

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More places are on the way. Until yours is listed, see the official sources page or call 211.

Emergency and information numbers

Service Number Notes
Louisiana 211 211 Free help finding shelter, food, and services, day or night. You can also text your ZIP code to 898-211.
Road and traffic conditions (511) 511 Evacuation routes and road closures. You can also call 888-762-3511 (888-ROAD-511).
Louisiana State Police road closures 1-800-469-4828 State and federal highway closures. To report an emergency on the road, dial 577 (LSP) from a cell phone.
Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance claims 888-568-6455 For Louisiana Citizens policyholders. Choose option 3, and have your policy number ready.
Contractor license check (Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors) 225-765-2301 Check a license before you hire anyone for repairs.
GOHSEP office 225-925-7500 Office line. Not for emergencies.

Official alerts and information

  • Get A Game Plan app: GOHSEP's official preparedness app, with evacuation updates and alerts sent by GOHSEP. Download it before a storm. Website.
  • Smart911: GOHSEP's sign-up link for emergency alerts and notifications. Sign up before a storm. Website.

Statewide resources

  • Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP): Statewide updates, evacuation information, and preparedness guides. Website.
  • Parish OHSEP Contacts: Phone numbers for every parish emergency preparedness office. Website.
  • Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide: GOHSEP's printable guide, with the state evacuation map, contraflow routes, and a phone list for every parish. Website.
  • Damage.La.Gov: After a storm, report damage to your home to GOHSEP. Your report helps parish, state, and federal officials see where help is needed. Website.

Evacuation centers

Open only when announced

Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.

Shelters open only when officials announce them, and they are not opened in areas in the predicted path of a storm. For state shelter information, text LASHELTER to 898211 or call 211, or ask your parish emergency preparedness office. Shelter information points may also be set up along evacuation routes. Service animals are allowed in all shelters, but pets may not be, so call 211 before you go.

Help to evacuate

  • Parish registry for residents with medical needs: The Louisiana Department of Health asks anyone who will need help to evacuate because of a medical need to contact their parish emergency preparedness office. Call before a storm and ask to be added to the parish registry. Website.
  • Louisiana Department of Health disability emergency line (OIDD): For people with developmental disabilities, their families, and their providers who need help preparing, evacuating, or relocating. Toll free, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call your local human services district first. Phone: 866-783-5553. Website.

After the storm: help for displaced residents

If your home is damaged or you cannot go back, these organizations help with shelter, food, money, and paperwork. Many programs open only after a disaster declaration, so check their pages for current status.

Food

  • Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP): Food benefits after a declared disaster, run by the Louisiana Department of Health. Dates and places are announced on this page when the program opens. The phone number is the LAHelpU customer service line for questions about your case. Phone: 888-524-3578. Website.

Money, work and insurance

  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance: For people who lose work because of a declared disaster, run by the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Apply within 60 days of the President's disaster declaration. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 1-866-783-5567. Website.

Scams, contractors and price gouging

  • Louisiana Department of Insurance: Free help with insurance claims and disputes. Phone: 1-800-259-5300. Website.
  • Attorney General Consumer Hotline: Report price gouging during a declared state of emergency. You can also file a consumer dispute online. Phone: 1-800-351-4889. Website.

Sources

Checked on October 2, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.