I’ve driven through war zones in the Middle East, flash floods in Indonesia, and blackouts in California, but let me tell you something straight—Louisiana’s roads during a disaster? They’ll test every ounce of grit, patience, and tactical skill you’ve got behind the wheel.
The roads here aren’t just roads—they’re trapdoors waiting to open. Bayous overflow, pavement buckles, potholes morph into craters, and if you’re not paying attention, you might just end up swallowed by a backwater swamp or stuck on a bridge that’s now a boat ramp. Hurricanes, flash floods, tornadoes, and heat waves? The Bayou State gets them all. And when it hits the fan, knowing which roads to avoid and how to maneuver becomes the line between making it out or becoming part of the debris.
The Louisiana Gauntlet: Roads to Avoid When It All Goes South
Here are some of the worst roads in Louisiana during a disaster—routes you should avoid like a rattlesnake in your boot:
- I-10 between Baton Rouge and Lafayette
Flood-prone and prone to traffic bottlenecks, especially around the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. If the water doesn’t get you, the stalled traffic will. - I-610 in New Orleans
A deathtrap during hurricanes. Low elevation, lots of exits prone to flooding, and traffic that grinds to a halt fast. - US-90 near Morgan City
This area’s like a sponge—it soaks up floodwaters and keeps them. Debris, broken asphalt, and submerged stretches are common. - LA-1 South to Grand Isle
Beautiful under normal skies, but it’s a one-way ticket to being stranded when the Gulf decides to rage. - I-20 near Shreveport
During tornado season, it turns into a wind tunnel. Add low visibility from storms, and it’s a high-speed hazard. - Airline Highway (US-61)
Passes through flood-prone and urban zones. Infrastructure’s outdated, and during a crisis, it’s a twisted mess. - Causeway Bridge over Lake Pontchartrain
Don’t let its beauty fool you. High winds, zero shelter, and panic drivers make it lethal in a storm. - LA-70 through Assumption Parish
A scenic drive turned swampy rollercoaster when the water rises. - Chef Menteur Highway
Long, flat, and exposed—especially dangerous during storm surge conditions. - River Road in Baton Rouge
Flirts with the Mississippi. One good surge and the whole route can disappear.
Now that you know what roads to think twice about, let’s get into how you survive them when you don’t have a choice.
15 Survival Driving Skills That’ll Keep You Alive in a Disaster
- Situational Awareness
Scan the road, your mirrors, the skies, and even other drivers. Awareness keeps you ahead of danger by minutes, which is a lifetime in a disaster. - Off-Road Maneuvering
Learn how to navigate mud, gravel, or grassy terrain. Sometimes the ditch is the road when the pavement’s gone. - Water Wading Judgment
Know how deep your vehicle can go. Six inches of water can cause loss of control. A foot? You’re floating. - Brake Feathering
Feather your brakes when you need control on slick roads—especially during heavy rain or floods. - Throttle Control
Smooth inputs save lives. Gunning it gets you stuck or sliding. Know when to creep and when to charge. - Evasive Maneuvering
Can you dodge a falling tree or swerving semi at 60 mph? Practice J-turns, quick swerves, and emergency braking. - Map Mastery
GPS may die. Paper maps don’t. Keep one in your glovebox with disaster escape routes marked in red. - Driving Without Headlights
Sometimes stealth matters. Know how to move silently and unseen—especially in looting-prone zones. - Mechanical Literacy
Know your vehicle. Change a tire blindfolded. Patch a radiator. Rig a fan belt with paracord if needed. - Fuel Economy Driving
No jackrabbit starts. Coast on declines. Save every drop because the next station might be 100 miles of chaos away. - Convoy Driving
If you’re with a group, learn to drive in formation. Keep spacing, use signals, and maintain visual contact. - Bridge & Overpass Assessment
Some look solid but are structurally weak after quakes or flooding. Don’t be the tester. - Night Vision Discipline
Use red light inside the vehicle. Don’t blind yourself or others with high beams when stealth or night travel’s essential. - Wind Awareness
Crosswinds can flip box trucks—and your SUV if it’s loaded top-heavy. Stay low-profile and move cautiously. - Urban Escape Routes
Study back alleys, industrial roads, and railway access paths. Cities will lock down fast—know the ratlines out.
3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas
Let’s say you’ve run out of fuel and you’re miles from help. Here’s how to MacGyver your way to another few miles or stay put safely:
1. The Campfire Fuel Extractor
If stranded with access to old vehicles or lawn equipment, siphon gas using a piece of hose and gravity. No hose? Melt a piece of hard plastic into a funnel and drain the fuel tank manually.
2. The Ethanol Boost
Got alcohol-based hand sanitizer, vodka, or even mouthwash? In small quantities, these can supplement gasoline in a pinch—IF your engine can handle it (older engines or multi-fuel vehicles only). Add no more than 10% volume and run gently.
3. Solar Battery Starter
No jump cables? Rig up solar lights or panels (many people have cheap solar garden lights) to trickle-charge your battery. Strip the wires, connect carefully to terminals, and give it time. It won’t start the car immediately, but over time can give you enough juice to crank once.
Final Thoughts from the Road
In Louisiana, roads are as wild as the swamps they cut through. When a disaster strikes, they morph into battlegrounds—where skill, preparation, and grit will mean more than any four-wheel drive badge on your bumper. You don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to your level of training. So, train now. Drive smart. Map your exits. Keep your gear close and your instincts sharper.
Remember, survival driving isn’t about speed—it’s about making decisions that keep you rolling when others are stuck, submerged, or stranded. From the Spanish moss-covered bridges near Slidell to the cracked pavement outside of Lake Charles, every inch of this land has a story. Make sure yours doesn’t end in the ditch.
TheDailyChristian 