Last year about 1 million free hurricane evacuation maps told south Louisianans to “Think north, not west.”

This year the same advice applies.

“For the most part it’s going to work as it’s always worked,” said Louis Calato, spokesman for Louisiana State Police’s Troop L near Mandeville. “The main thing is preparation, making sure everyone is on the same page.” With slightly more than a month before hurricane season begins June 1, emergency personnel have tested about 25 flashing emergency signs, now ready for deployment from Hammond, that display routes and upcoming traffic snarls. Meanwhile, DOTD officials are meeting with emergency personnel from Mississippi to design contra flow maps for distribution June 1.

“We’re basically keeping with the same scenario as Katrina,” said Alan Dale, a traffic operation engineer in charge of St. Tammany Parish for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. “It seemed to work out pretty well.”

This year’s hurricane season is predicted to produce 15 named storms, four of which will be “intense” hurricanes, with an “above average probability” a major hurricane will strike land, according to an Atlantic hurricane prediction report by Colorado State University hurricane expert William Gray.

When contra flow plans are enacted, traffic on Interstate 10 will be directed north to Interstate 59, while Interstate 12 will be closed at that junction. Residents east of I-12 along the Lacombe and Airport Road exits will be able to travel the road west to U.S. Highway 190 or Interstate 55 North. Also, Southshore residents will be allowed to travel across the Causeway and take I-55 north.

“I don’t want to say its routine by any means, but our guys know what to do,” Calato said. “I have no doubt it will be flawless again.”