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Before, During & After
Plan Ahead and Be Prepared
Know what to do and be prepared well in advance of an approaching tropical system. For hurricanes, the following information is helpful for preparedness.
BEFORE
Know Your Evacuation Route
Evacuation and contraflow maps for Harris County and surrounding areas is included as a PDF reference on this website. For more information on evacuation routes, contact your local office of emergency management.
Learn Safe Routes Inland
Be ready to drive at least 50 miles inland - or preferably to another city - to locate a safe place to stay. In the case of a mass evacuation, you should be prepared to drive hundreds of miles to a city large enough to handle the influx of citizens leaving the Harris County and Gulf Coast area.
Have All Necessary Disaster Supplies On-hand
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Battery-operated radio & TV |
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Batteries, enough for several weeks |
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Blankets and pillows |
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Canned and dried food |
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Baby supplies and food |
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Cash (at least a 2 week supply) |
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Cell phone |
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Change of clothes |
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Water (1 gallon a day per each person) |
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Eating and cooking utensils |
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Extra pet food |
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Sleeping bags |
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Valuable papers (Deeds, insurance, wills, birth, marriage death certificates, bonds, S.S. card, bank account numbers) |
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Matches |
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Gloves |
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Flashlights (1 per family member) |
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Soap and toiletries |
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Water jugs to store water |
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Trash bags for clean up |
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Camera and film |
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Toys (to occupy children) |
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Mosquito repellent |
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Cleaning supplies |
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First aid kit and manual |
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Important phone numbers |
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Non-electric can opener |
Make Arrangements For Pets
Pets may not be allowed into emergency shelters for health and space reasons. Contact your local humane society for information on local animal shelters.
Prepare Your Family
Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a hurricane. Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water. Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and how to tune the radio to your local radio station for emergency information.
Protect Your Windows
Permanent shutters are the best protection. A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Use 1/2-inch plywood (marine-grade plywood is best) cut to fit each window. Remember to mark which board fits which window. Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws. Do this long before the storm. Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.
Purchase a Flood Insurance Policy
You can find out about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at www.fema.gov/business/nfip/ or by contacting your local insurance agent. There is normally a 30-day waiting period before a new policy becomes effective. Homeowners polices do not cover damage from the flooding that accompanies a hurricane.
Develop An Emergency Communication Plan
In case family members are separated from one another during a disaster (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person. See also Preparedness PDFs for download.
DURING
HURRICANE WATCHES AND WARNINGS
A "hurricane watch" is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours. A "hurricane warning" is issued when hurricane conditions (winds of 74 miles per hour or greater, or dangerously high water and rough seas) are expected in 24 hours or less.
During a Hurricane Watch
- Tune-in to your local TV station or listen to a battery-operated radio tuned to your local radio station for hurricane progress reports
- Check emergency supplies
- Fuel car
- Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside
- Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows
- Remove outside antennas
- Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings, and open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly
- Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles, and cooking utensils
- Review evacuation plan
- If you own a boat, moor it securely or move it to a designated safe place; use rope or chain to secure boat to trailer; use tiedowns to anchor trailer to the ground or house
During a Hurricane Warning
- Tune-in to your local TV station or listen constantly to a battery-operated radio tuned to your local radio station for instructions
- If in a mobile home, check tiedowns and evacuate immediately
- Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home
- Avoid elevators
- If at home, stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors
- Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light
- If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power "surge" when electricity is restored
- If officials indicate evacuation is necessary, leave as soon as possible
- Avoid flooded roads and watch for washed out bridges
- Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve
- Tell someone outside of the storm area where you are going
- If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture to protect it from flooding or better yet, move it to a higher floor
- Bring pre-assembled emergency supplies and warm protective clothing
- Take blankets and sleeping bags to shelter
- Lock up home and leave
AFTER
- Stay tuned to your local TV or radio station for information
- Help injured or trapped persons
- Give first aid where appropriate
- Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury; Call for help
- Return home only after authorities advise that it is safe to do so
- Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company, police, or fire department
- Enter your home with caution
- Beware of snakes, insects, and animals driven to higher ground by floodwater
- Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home
- Check refrigerated foods for spoilage
- Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents and for insurance claims
- Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges
- Use telephone only for emergency calls
INSPECTING UTILITIES IN A DAMAGED HOME
Electricity
If the water has risen above the electrical outlets in the home, contact a licensed electrician before turning on the main circuit breaker or trying to restore power.
Allow all electrical appliances and electronic equipment that were submerged in water to dry thoroughly for at least one week. Have them checked by a qualified repairperson before turning them on. Attempting to repair a flood-damaged appliance could result in electrical shock or death.
If the outside unit of an air conditioning system has been under water, mud and water may have accumulated in the controls. Attempting to restart it could result in further damage and costly repairs. Have the unit checked by a qualified air conditioning technician.
Gas
If you smell gas when you return to your home, leave the house and call your utility company from a neighbor's house or a remote location as soon as possible.
If your home was flooded, call a licensed plumber or a gas appliance technician to inspect your appliances and gas piping to make sure it is in good operating condition before contacting your energy provider to reconnect service. This includes outdoor gas appliances, such as pool heaters, gas grills, and gas lights.
If you've had no flooding in your home and your natural gas is turned off at the meter, please contact your local energy provider to reconnect service.
Sewer & Water Lines
If you suspect sewage lines are damaged avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid the water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.
Other Hazards
Check for fire hazards and other household hazards.
Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches and flammable liquids immediately.
Contact your insurance agent to discuss claims.
Assistance
Tune in to your local TV or radio stations, or contact the Red Cross or FEMA to find out where to go for assistance.
Repairs
If you hire cleanup or repair contractors, be sure they are qualified to do the job. Check references. Get written estimates. Keep all receipts. Be wary of people who drive through neighborhoods offering home repair.
Hurricanes and floods can cause emotional and physical stress. Look after yourself and your family as you focus on cleanup and repair.
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