Hurricane Preparedness Tips

Preparing for a hurricane can be stressful, but with hurricane season here, it’s time you and your family prepare for a potential hurricane or tropical storm. Hurricanes can develop quickly or intensify rapidly, causing serious damage and even loss of life. The main hazards of hurricanes are: storm surge, flooding, destructive winds, tornadoes, high surf and rip currents. Here are some tips on how you should plan before a storm:

BEFORE THE STORM

Review your local authority’s plan to prepare and respond to hurricanes so you are aware of how the plan impacts you and your family. Create a plan that includes: how you will receive emergency alerts and warnings, a shelter plan, your evacuation route and your family/household communication plan. 

You should also know your watershed so you can understand important details about your location, your watershed, the San Jacinto River basin, and how water drains throughout your area. You can also monitor rainfall in your area with the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management info (MCOHSEM). Harris County Flood Control District’s Flood Warning System and ReadyHarris also provides valuable information you need before any storm. The most important things you need to do are monitor your local office of homeland security and sign up for emergency alerts. You can learn more on the SJRA website.

Stock up on emergency supplies like water, food, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, first aid kit, and a whistle in case you need to signal for help. You should prepare with a minimum of five days worth of food and water, and prepare to shelter-in-place. Don’t forget important things like medication and pet supplies.

Prepare a “go-bag” in case you need to evacuate your home with short notice. Your bag should consist of important documents, medications, water, a small first aid kit, blankets, flashlights, cash, portable phone chargers, and anything else your family might need. 

Review your insurance policies, understanding the exclusions and consider how you would cover any gaps in your coverage. Also consider how you could access funds if you are directly affected by a storm.

DURING THE STORM

If you and your loved ones are in direct threat from a hurricane, stay aware and connected, frequently checking storm updates and local evacuation orders.

Review your plan with your family, and check local orders, to make sure everyone knows what to expect and what they will need to do when the storm hits. Double-check your emergency supplies and make sure you and your family have everything you need and restock if necessary. Also ensure all of your important documents are in order and everything in your go-bag is ready.

Prepare your home by installing plywood or storm shutters over your windows and checking the property for any loose items that could blow away during the storm and secure them. Fill your vehicle’s gas tank in case evacuation is necessary and stock your car with supplies and changes of clothes. If evacuation isn’t mandatory, consider parking your vehicle on higher ground in case of flooding. 

Also protect your valuable possessions by storing them, and any other irreplaceable items, in a safe location away from somewhere they could be damaged by floodwaters or wind. Make sure your electronics and documents are in water-tight containers and ziploc bags. Don’t forget to protect any cherished photo albums so you don’t lose those priceless memories!

AFTER THE STORM

Recovering after a hurricane can be stressful. In these unprecedented times, there may not be as much assistance available as usual. If you were ordered to evacuate, return to your home once you have been instructed to by local authorities, and you are confident it is safe to return home. Disconnect your electricity and gas services until a professional can review your home and confirm it is safe to connect them. Inspect your property for damage from wind and floodwaters by starting with the exterior of your home and then moving to the interior. Contact a professional if you have structural damage or if you are unsure.

Once you inspect your home for damage, document  it by taking photographs of the damage and the water level before you begin cleaning up so you can use them for insurance or federal assistance claims. Wear appropriate respiratory protection masks, rubber gloves, and boots when you enter your home. Floodwater can contain pathogens, rodents, spiders, and snakes. There could also be airborne threats you need to be aware of, like mold.

Unplug your appliances and do not open your refrigerator; it will not work if it has been flooded. By not opening your refrigerator, you will prevent the smell of rotten food from spreading throughout your home. If you can salvage any dishes or cookware, place them on a tarp outside to clean. 

Share this information with your friends and family, even if you don’t live in a hurricane-prone location, and make sure everyone you know is prepared if disaster strikes!