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| Get Prepared |
Hurricane
season runs from June 1 – November 30, and the Harris
County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
(OHSEM) wants you to be prepared. OHSEM has valuable information
available on its website about preparing for hurricanes,
tropical storms, high winds, storm surge and flooding.
Everyone is urged to start preparing early by creating
a kit, making a plan and staying informed throughout hurricane
season. Make sure you have enough food, water, medication
and other essential supplies for a week. |
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NOAA weather radio and batteries |
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Flashlight and batteries |
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Extra eye glasses |
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Bottled water |
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Non-perishable food |
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Clothing |
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Bedding |
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Medications |
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Copies of prescriptions |
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Special products for babies, elderly and medically
fragile family members |
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Cash and credit cards |
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If you live in an area threatened
by storm surge – an evacuation zone – discuss and
practice evacuation plans with your family. Make a checklist
of preparations to be made before an evacuation and review
it when a storm is in the Gulf of Mexico. If you plan to stay
in a hotel, make reservations and confirm your reservations
before you leave. If you plan to stay in a shelter, bring what
you need to be comfortable, including bedding and toys for
kids.
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Residents living in an evacuation
zone who require special assistance to evacuate during a storm
should dial 2-1-1 to register for a ride. This includes the
elderly, people with disabilities or special medical conditions,
or those who simply need transportation. The Special Transportation
Registry is open year-round for registration. Be sure to register
before an evacuation is called.
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To find out if your home is
in an evacuation zone, check with county or city officials,
or click here to view the zip code-based evacuation map located
on the OHSEM website. |
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| Prepare your Home |
Now is the time to prepare
your home and make it safe from the potential damages
of a hurricane. To keep fierce winds from entering your
home
and blowing out doors and windows, have plywood already
cut or invest in shutters to cover windows. Reinforce
the garage door and check the roof for loose shingles,
which
can be made more secure by re-nailing.
Trim dead or dangerous tree limbs to keep them from falling
on your house. Once it has been determined that a hurricane
is heading in our direction, be sure to bolt down, chain,
or remove items like play equipment, barbecue grills, and
potted plants to prevent them from becoming missiles.
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Protect Pets and Livestock
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Whether
you evacuate or shelter in place, you should create a plan
to ensure the safety of your pets and livestock. Make sure
all pets wear collars and tags with current identification
in the event they become lost or separated from you. Have
your name and address on the tag along with your cell phone
number.
If you evacuate, take your
pets with you. You will need a carrier or crate large enough
for them to turn around and lie down. You should also take
a leash, collar and muzzle for your dogs. Prepare an emergency
kit for them that includes their veterinary records, medicine,
food, water, bowls for the food and water, toys and plastic
bags for their waste. If your pet is a cat, be sure to
pack cat litter, a litter box (that fits into the cat carrier)
and a litter scoop. |
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If
you decide to shelter in place, bring your pets indoors and
keep them in an interior, safe room away from windows. During
the hurricane, you may want to keep them in their carriers
or crates. After the hurricane has passed, be sure to check
your yard and fences carefully before letting your pets out.
Damaged fences and downed power lines can lead to lost or injured
pets. |
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When evacuating livestock in trailers, plan your route
and confirm reservations before you leave home. Be sure
to allow plenty of time for travel and evacuate in the
cooler hours of the day. If you have livestock that you
are not evacuating, move them to high ground. Do not
leave them in an enclosed barn or other structure. Check
your pastures and make sure they are securely fenced
and cleared of any debris or building materials that
may become airborne. Your emergency contact information
should be posted in a watertight container on all gates.
Disruption of regular routines is stressful for people
and animals. You may notice behavior changes, loss of
appetite, unusual aggression or fear in your pets and/or
livestock. If problems persist after the hurricane, contact
your veterinarian. For more information on protecting
your pets and livestock, visit the Harris County Disaster
Animal Management Task Force website at www.damtaskforce.com.
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For
additional information on hurricane preparedness, you can view
the 2010 OHSEM hurricane brochure at http://www.hcoem.org/Documents/Hurricanebrochure.pdf or visit the Texas Department of Public Safety’s website
at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/pages/publicinformation.htm. |
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