National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2013 runs from Sunday, May 26 through Saturday, June 1.

According the National Weather Service (NWS), Hurricane hazards come in many forms, including storm surge, heavy rainfall, inland flooding, high winds, tornadoes and rip currents. The NWS is responsible for protecting life and property through issuance of timely watches and warnings, but it is essential that your family be ready before a storm approaches. Furthermore, mariners should be aware of special safety precautions when confronted with a hurricane.

To prepare for a hurricane, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends the following measures:

• To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.

• Know your surroundings.

• Learn the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone. This will help you know how your property will be affected when storm surge or tidal flooding are forecasted.

• Identify levees and dams in your area and determine whether they pose a hazard to you.

• Learn community hurricane evacuation routes and how to find higher ground. Determine where you would go and how you would get there if you needed to evacuate.

• Make plans to secure your property.

• Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.

• Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.

• Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.

• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.

• Reinforce your garage doors. If wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.

• Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.

• Determine how and where to secure your boat.

• Install a generator for emergencies.

Hurricanes cause heavy rains that can cause extensive flood damage in coastal and inland areas. Everyone is at risk and should consider flood insurance protection.

To learn more about your flooding risk and how to protect yourself and your business, visit the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (NFIP) website at http://www.floodsmart.gov or call (800) 427-2419.

Submitted photos

Sheriff’s Office

Nine people were reported as booked into the parish jail by the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office over the last week.

Friday, May 17

Junius Jackson, III, 44, of Welsh, was charged with resisting an officer, two counts of criminal trespassing, possession of drug paraphernalia and theft. No bond was listed.

Stanley Bennett, 38, of Welsh, was charged with criminal trespassing and theft. No bond was listed.

Reginald Williams, 55, of Jennings, was charged with hit and run, stalking and criminal trespassing. No bond was listed.

Monday, May 20

Joseph Thibodeaux, 30, of Jennings, was charged with a fourth-offense DWI. No bond was listed.

Tuesday, May 21

Zerrick Shepard, 27, of Welsh, was charged with interfering with an officer, theft over $500 and criminal trespassing. Bond was listed at $20,000.

Wednesday, May 22

Tammy Hortman, 53, of Kinder, was charged with careless operation, third-offense DWI, open container and driving under suspension. No bond was listed.

Gregory Fontenot, 21, of Lake Charles, was charged with driving under suspension and three counts of illegal license plate display. No bond was listed.

Thursday, May 23

Katina Daniels, 40, of Jennings, was charged with contempt of court. No bond was listed.

John Precht, 36, of Jennings, was charged with contempt of court. No bond was listed.

City Police

Twenty people were booked into the city jail by the Jennings Police Department over the last week.

Friday, May 17

Erick Dwayne Lewis, 30, of 810 4th St., was charged with domestic abuse battery. No bond was listed.

Saturday, May 18

Willie Jean Jones, 59, of 710 N. Craig St., was charged with theft under $300 and possession of drug paraphernalia. No bond was listed.

Jamesetta Kimble, 47, of 1414 Short St., was charged with theft. No bond was listed.

Sabrina Jones, 45, of 419 King St., was charged theft of goods and criminal trespassing. No bond was listed.

April Thorns, 43, of 1316 W. 5th St. in Crowley, was charged with theft of goods. No bond was listed.

Micha Pierre, 18, of 1316 W. 5th St. in Crowley, was charged with theft of goods. No bond was listed.

Tuesday, May 21

Melvin Gant, 31, of 727 Wilbert D. Rochelle Dr., was charged with public intoxication, open container and theft. No bond was listed.

Michael Syron, 23, of 103 Merry St., was charged with two counts of second-degree battery. No bond was listed.

Preston Antoine III, 23, of 14211 Hwy. 395 in Roanoke, was charged with resisting arrest by flight, possession of drug paraphernalia and first-offense possession of marijuana. No bond was listed.

Efrain Miranda Jr., 34, of 1421 Airport Rd., was charged with DWI, no driver’s license, violation minimum speed, no liability insurance, driving on a roadway laned for traffic and no vehicle registration. No bond was listed.

Tammy Hartman, 53, of 705 Mallard St. in Kinder, was charged with failure to maintain control of the vehicle, driving under suspension, open container and third-offense DWI. No bond was listed.

Wednesday, May 22

Patrick Touchet, 47, of 802 Bryan St., was charged with money laundering, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a Schedule I narcotic, possession of a schedule II narcotic and possession of a Schedule III narcotic. No bond was listed.

Heath Stutes, 35, of 310 Eleventh St., was charged with theft. No bond was listed.

Henry Taylor, 58, of 906 Florence St., was charged with two counts of disturbing the peace. No bond was listed.

Thursday, May 23

Larry Roy, 59, of 810 Gallup St., was charged with DWI, child endangerment DWI, open container and disregarding stop/yield signs. No bond was listed.

Dedrick Gant, 37, of 3015 Shirley Dr., was charged with resisting arrest by flight. No bond was listed.

Drekeylone Peters, 19, of 215 S. McFarlain St., was charged with illegal carrying of weapons, resisting an officer and possession of or dealing in firearms with obliterated numbers or marks. No bond was listed.

William Richey, 24, of 806 Granger St., was arrested on a warrant and charged with theft and two counts of simple battery. No bond was listed.

Rakia Lewis, 23, of 1014 S. Broadway St., was charged with two counts of attempted manslaughter. No bond was listed.

Richard Mire, 36, of Lake Charles, was charged with cruelty to the infirmed. No bond was listed.

Patsy Ann Miller Hensley

LAKE ARTHUR – It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family and friends of Patsy Ann Miller Hensley announces her passing from this life on May 22, 2013, at the age of 43 after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Arthur on Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at 10 a.m. Patsy will be laid to rest in Andrus Cove Cemetery. Msgr. Ronald Groth will officiate.

A gathering of Patsy’s family and friends to bid their final farewell will be held at Matthews and Son Funeral Home in Lake Arthur on Monday, May 27, 2013, from 10:30 a.m. until 9 p.m., with a rosary recited at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume on Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at 8 a.m. until the time of her funeral services.

Patsy Ann was born in Welsh to John Adam Miller and the late Bonnie Lou Trahan on July 14, 1969. She worked as a sales clerk at a local convenience store. Patsy was a wonderful and loving daughter, sister, mother and grandmother. She adored spending time with her grandbabies. She enjoyed being at the beach, going crabbing and fishing, and she loved to cook.

Patsy is survived by her three sons, Josh (Kieliegh) Miller, Aaron Broussard and Skylar Miller, all of Lake Arthur; her father, John Adam Miller of DeRidder; her stepfather, Randy Moore of Jennings; four brothers, John Miller and Raymond (Lisa) Miller of Lake Arthur, Timmy (Jessica) Moore of Morse, and Cody (Yvonne) Moore of Jennings; her sister, Tammy Darlene (Chris) Moore of Oberlin; and her five beautiful grandchildren.

Patsy was preceded in death by her mother, Bonnie Lou Trahan; and one son, Blakely Kade LaPoint.

Carrying Patsy to her eternal resting place in Andrus Cove Cemetery will be Aaron Broussard, Josh Miller, Skylar Miller, Raymond Miller, John Miller and Timmy Moore. The honorary pallbearer will be Cody Moore.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be greatly appreciated.

To extend online condolences, please visit www.matthewsandsonfuneralhome.net.

Daily News photos by Sheila Smith

Assistant Editor

ELTON – The final Coushatta Farmers Market is wrapping up its spring season with a major celebration.

The last market of the season on Saturday, June 1,  will be the first Coushatta Farmers Market Fun Fest that includes a variety of games and activities for area families from 7:30 a.m. until noon. The market is slated to return in the fall on Saturday, Oct. 5.

Daily News Staff Writer

NEWALLA, Okla. – Eight children, 10 adults and one dog huddled together in the dark underground storm shelter as Mother Nature unleashed her fury just feet above.

In the darkness, Jennifer Seamans Burkhalter filmed the commotion, screams from people and the storm mixing together in the footage.

Assistant Editor

One of the repossession company employees who was driven over with the vehicle she was attempting to reclaim remains in intensive care despite reports she had been released.

On Thursday, she was one of two women who sustained injuries while attempting to repossess a vehicle on behalf of her employer.

Daily News photos by Allison Cryer