Survival & Emergency Preparedness

If you live in Louisiana, you already know one thing for certain:
This state does not play around.

Louisiana is beautiful, dangerous, humid enough to breathe like soup, and packed with more survival challenges per square mile than most people realize. Between the wildlife, the weather, the roads, and human behavior that can only be explained by “hold my beer,” Louisiana quietly racks up fatalities that have nothing to do with old age, cancer, or disease.

As a professional survivalist prepper—and someone who uses humor as a coping mechanism—I believe in two things:

Staying alive
Laughing while doing it

So today, we’re breaking down the Top 10 non-disease ways people die in Louisiana, why it happens, and exactly what you must do to survive. Because preparation beats panic, and panic plus humidity equals poor decision-making.

Let’s begin.

1. Motor Vehicle Accidents (a.k.a. Louisiana’s Favorite Extreme Sport)

If Louisiana had an official state hobby, it would be reckless driving.

Car accidents remain the number one non-medical cause of death in the state. And no, it’s not just “bad luck.”

Why People Die This Way

Speeding like the interstate is the Daytona 500
Distracted driving (phones, food, drama)
Driving impaired (alcohol, drugs, fatigue)
Poor road conditions and sudden weather changes
Not wearing seat belts (still… in 2026…)

Louisiana regularly ranks among the worst states for traffic fatalities per capita, and the highways are basically obstacle courses sprinkled with potholes and bad decisions.

How to Survive It

Wear your seatbelt. This isn’t optional. This is physics.
Drive like everyone else is actively trying to kill you (because statistically… they might be).
Never assume someone will stop at a red light.
Avoid driving during heavy rain when roads flood fast.
Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle: flashlight, water, first-aid kit, reflective vest.

Survival rule: Arriving late is better than arriving dead.

2. Drowning (Because Water Is Everywhere)

Louisiana is about 50% land, 50% water, and 100% dangerous if you underestimate it.

From rivers and bayous to lakes, canals, and floodwaters, drowning is a constant threat.

Why People Die This Way

Swimming in rivers with strong currents
Alcohol involved around water (a bad combo)
Boating accidents
Floodwater underestimation
Children falling into unsecured water sources

Floodwater is especially deadly because it hides:

Debris
Downed power lines
Open drains
Wildlife that absolutely does not want to be touched

How to Survive It

Never swim in moving water unless you’re trained.
Wear life jackets on boats (fashion comes second to breathing).
Fence pools and secure access points.
Never drive into floodwaters. “Turn around, don’t drown” exists for a reason.
Learn basic water rescue skills—but don’t become victim #2 trying to save someone.

Water doesn’t care how confident you are.

3. Hurricanes and Storm Surge (Nature’s Way of Evicting You)

Hurricanes aren’t rare events in Louisiana. They’re seasonal personality traits.

Storm surge and flooding kill more people than wind alone, often after the storm “looks calm.”

Why People Die This Way

Ignoring evacuation orders
Underestimating storm surge
Remaining in flood-prone areas
Lack of emergency planning
Generator misuse (carbon monoxide poisoning post-storm)

The hurricane doesn’t have to hit directly. Water moves sideways, upward, and into places it absolutely shouldn’t.

How to Survive It

Evacuate when told. Pride is not a flotation device.
Have a go-bag ready before hurricane season.
Elevate valuables and electrical systems.
Never run generators indoors or near windows.
Stay informed through NOAA weather alerts.

Survival tip: You can’t rebuild if you’re not alive.

4. Firearms Accidents and Violence

Louisiana has a strong gun culture—which means responsibility must match access. Unfortunately, accidents and violent encounters claim lives every year.