KEY TAKEAWAYS: ArcGNO launched a fundraising campaign to support hurricane evacuations for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Funds will help cover transportation, lodging, meals, medications and 24-hour care during evacuations. The campaign was inspired by challenges the organization faced evacuating nearly 50 people during Hurricane Ida. ArcGNO is seeking community support to strengthen emergency preparedness for the 2026 hurricane season.   The Arc of Greater New Orleans has launched a Hurricane Preparedness Campaign to raise funds for evacuating adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities during severe weather, citing rising transportation, lodging and caregiving costs as hurricane season enters its busiest months. The Metairie-based nonprofit said the campaign will help cover expenses associated with evacuating participants in its programs, including accessible transportation, temporary housing, meals, medications and around-the-clock support during storms. ArcGNO operates five community centers and provides services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including its Supported Living Services program, which assists individuals who live independently or with family members. The organization said the need for additional funding became especially apparent during Hurricane Ida, when it evacuated nearly 50 participants and staff members to Texas. Cindy Pettway, director of Supported Living Services, said many participants require either part-time assistance or 24-hour care, making evacuations particularly complex. “Most of our SLS participants live on their own and require either part-time care or 24-hour assistance. So, during Hurricane Ida, we had SLS participants and support staff who needed to be evacuated. In total, we evacuated nearly 50 people,” Pettway said. ArcGNO officials said securing accommodations that can house participants and caregivers together, while providing meals and daily support, presents logistical and financial challenges. The organization also relies on an aging fleet of vans, including wheelchair-accessible vehicles, to transport participants safely out of the region. Latiya Smith, ArcGNO’s chief employment and community advancement officer, recalled the difficulties the organization faced after evacuating to Houston during Ida. “When we arrived in Houston, we were immediately confronted with a long list of problems that needed attention, including replacing several van tires,” Smith said. She added that prolonged power outages in New Orleans forced the organization to extend its evacuation and relocate again after its original hotel could no longer accommodate the group. Executive Director Heather Matthews said the nonprofit absorbs most evacuation costs because many Supported Living Services participants have limited financial resources. “Hurricane evacuations are unlike any other emergency we face. Within just a matter of days, the emergency funds we set aside for an evacuation can be completely depleted,” Matthews said. She said, depending on the storm’s severity and the length of an evacuation, expenses for accessible transportation, lodging, food, medications, fuel and continuous care can escalate quickly. Matthews also noted the emotional toll evacuations can have on participants and staff, many of whom experienced Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Ida. The Hurricane Preparedness Campaign is intended to help ArcGNO respond more quickly when storms threaten southeast Louisiana and ensure participants have access to safe transportation, shelter and individualized care throughout an evacuation. ArcGNO is encouraging community members and businesses to support the campaign as the organization prepares for the remainder of the 2026 hurricane season. ...read more read less