Hurricane Preparedness

The weather is starting to heat up and with that comes tropical storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes.  It’s part of life when you live as close to the Gulf coast as we do here in Houston.  It’s time to begin preparing so that we aren’t caught off guard.  And the last thing you want to do is stand in line down at Home Depot or Walmart stocking up on the supplies that you wish was already sitting in the garage or pantry.

So let’s talk about what we need to be doing now. 

1.      Have several locations to choose from in the event of an evacuation.  Keep a list of hotel phone numbers and addresses for cities away from the coast.  Many Houstonians choose to evacuate to Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas.  But hotels fill up fast so have a reservation before you leave home.  Staying with relatives or friends is also a good alternative.  If evacuating to another location is not feasible, know where the local Red Cross shelters are located.

2.     Put together a supplies kit now.  There are exhaustive lists found online but here is a short list:

a.       One gallon of water per person per day.  (Minimum of 3 day supply.)

b.      Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, and juices.  Have a non-electric can opener in your kit.  High-energy foods like peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, and trail mix.  Paper plates, napkins, and cups.

c.       Prescription and non-prescription medications.  Band-aids, gauze and tape, and antiseptic sprays or creams.

d.      Battery-operated radio with extra batteries, flashlights, cash, matches, fully charged cell phone, toilet paper, towelettes, soap, blankets, extra change of clothes, sturdy shoes, rain gear, and toiletries. 

e.      For babies:  formula, diapers, bottles, powdered milk, and baby food.

f.        Keep the following in a water-proof bag or container:  Will, insurance policies, passports, immunization records, bank account information, credit card numbers, inventory of valuable items, and important phone numbers.

3.     Plan for your pet(s).  After Hurricane Katrina, a lot of changes were made to care for pets during natural disasters.  A lot of people will not leave behind a four-legged family member, as evidenced by the large number of people sitting on roof tops with their beloved dog or cat.  But most shelters do not allow pets.  So contact your local vet, SPCA, or Humane Society now.  Have a crate on hand, along with extra food for Fido and Kitty.

4.      Have a designated meeting place for all family members.  Let everyone know now where to meet in the event of a natural disaster.

5.      Have your car’s gas tank at least 75% full during these spring and summer months.  When the electricity goes off, gas pumps go off too.  And when they are working, the lines can be so long that the stations run out of fuel.  Have a full tank when you get on the road in the event of an evacuation.  You don’t want to get stranded on the highway with a storm moving in.

6.      Before the storm, board up windows or use storm shutters, clear the yard of lawn furniture, trash cans, toys, and other loose items.  These items can turn into projectiles with a high wind.

7.      Leave swimming pools filled, super-chlorinate the water, and cover pump and filtration systems and intakes.

8.      Know where the shut-offs are for your water, electricity, and gas.

For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit the American Red Cross site at www.RedCross.org/prepare/disaster.

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