For residents living in the Gulf Coast region of Texas, the threat of hurricanes looms large. When a hurricane strikes, time is of the essence, and being unprepared can have severe consequences. Vital resources may become scarce as the storm approaches, making it essential to stock up on emergency supplies and medicine in advance. Improper evacuation planning can lead to traffic gridlocks, leaving individuals stranded and vulnerable in the path of the storm.
To ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in your family, it's crucial to take hurricane preparedness seriously. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to prepare well in advance. Let’s dive into the best ways to prepare, from stocking up on essentials - including important items you may not have considered - to creating an evacuation plan.
Are you prepared for a hurricane? Plan now to avoid stress later
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You can stock up on emergency supplies any time of year – don’t wait.”
A key aspect of hurricane preparedness is assembling an emergency kit with essential supplies – and you can get started today.
“You can stock up on emergency supplies any time of year – don’t wait,” said Ashley Seals, Communications Manager at Houston-Galveston Area Council.
For the essentials, Seals recommends having nonperishable food, along with disposable plates, bowls and manual can openers, as well as one gallon of drinkable water per person per day for seven days. Other must-have items to add to your emergency kit include:
• First aid kit
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Batteries
• Flashlights
• Waterproof matches
• Portable power banks and phone chargers
• Battery-operated radio
“I would also recommend keeping a full tank of gas throughout hurricane season,” added Seals. “This will help you avoid long lines and potential shortages when a hurricane is imminent.”
While many are diligent about gathering the supplies listed above, there are often some overlooked items that can be crucial, especially during an evacuation.
“Baby necessities like diapers and formula are really critical,” noted Seals, “and you can stock up on those items in advance.”
“Make sure you have extra medications on hand, and if possible, get with your doctor ahead of time to get a paper copy of your prescription – especially if it’s a medication you need to take daily,” Seals suggested. “That way you can get it filled wherever you go if you evacuate.”
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Create your emergency kit
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Gather important paperwork – such as the deed to your house, insurance information, your will or the title to your vehicle – and take it with you, make copies or safeguard them in a waterproof storage box to ensure they’re protected. “If you’re a family that has split custody of a child, make sure you have the paperwork that confirms the agreement between the parents,” said Seals. “This is especially important if you evacuate and are displaced for a long time.” Be sure to include identification documents (such as driver’s license or passport) for each member of your household.
Don’t forget about your pets! Make sure you have their food and medication, and a kennel to transport them or in case you end up at a place that requires your pet to be in a kennel. If you are in an evacuation zone, research ahead of time and identify shelters or organizations, like the American Red Cross, that will accept pets in an emergency. Keep a photo of your pet on you in case you get separated, and make sure your pet is microchipped and has a collar with your contact information.
Another item that is often overlooked: work-related items such as company laptops for remote workers. If you are displaced for several days (or even longer), your employer might still expect you to work. This may not have been top of mind prior to the pandemic, but now that a larger number of people work from home, it’s important to consider this in your hurricane preparedness strategy.
Consider having a dedicated bag or backpack for each person in your household. Ensuring you have these necessities on hand can make a significant difference during a weather emergency.
Additional considerations for the vulnerable population
Planning your evacuation route well in advance is just as important as creating your emergency kit. This will help you avoid taking a route that isn’t safe or efficient.
Seals recommends familiarizing yourself with two maps: the hurricane zip zone map, and the evacuation routes map. The zip zone map shows you which evacuation zone you live in based on your zip code. When a storm is coming and there is a need to evacuate, you can watch or listen to the news and they will announce which evacuation zones need to start moving.
The evacuation route map shows you which route you will need to take when evacuating. These are carefully planned to get you away from areas where the likelihood of damage is high. The routes are also equipped with first responders and emergency supplies to aid evacuees along the route. Many gas stations and stores along the routes are prepared with gas, generators and other essentials in case you have to stop. The maps are updated each year, so it’s important to check the website for the most current map.
The devastating effects of Hurricane Rita in 2005 serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of an organized evacuation. Due to an uncoordinated evacuation process for Hurricane Rita, there were over 100 deaths attributed to traffic-related incidents and people being stuck in their vehicles for up to 20 hours. This tragedy underscores the significance of preparing early, leaving promptly when your evacuation zone is called, and following designated evacuation routes to avoid such situations in the future.
Make an evacuation plan
Having a solid evacuation plan can mitigate the risks associated with hurricanes.
Click the arrows to view evacuation routes
Make An Evacuation Plan
By StoryStudio on August 7, 2023
It's never too early to stock up on supplies especially for critical items.
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Ashley Seals, Communications Manager at Houston-Galveston Area Council.
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Learn how to prepare for a hurricane and help those most vulnerable.
Sponsored by Houston Galveston Area Council
Hurricane preparedness takes on an added significance for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, pregnant individuals, those with medical conditions, and disabilities. Special considerations should be made to address their unique needs.
“Have a plan of action for those people in your household so you’re not scrambling to find the supplies, medications, devices, etc. at the last minute,” said Seals. Ensure that medical supplies and medications are well-stocked and have a plan in place for transportation to a safe location if necessary. “Go ahead and write out the plan: here are the things you need to grab and how much. That can save so much time and anxiety during an evacuation and help ensure those individuals are not put under any undue stress.”
Even if no one in your own household falls into this category, chances are you know someone who does. “A lot of times they’re forgotten about – so go check in on your elderly neighbor, check in on the family down the block with a lot of young kids.”
The Houston-Galveston Area Council developed the website TogetherAgainstTheWeather.com to help those with access and functional support needs to better prepare for hurricanes in advance of a storm. Visit the site for additional resources, and share it with your family, friends and neighbors.
Learn how to prepare for a hurricane and help those most vulnerable.
When a hurricane is imminent, additional steps need to be taken promptly. Stay informed by monitoring local news and weather updates, and follow the instructions issued by authorities. If you reside in an evacuation zone, do not delay in leaving when an evacuation order is given for your zone. Delaying evacuation can put your life at risk and strain emergency responders who may be called upon to rescue stranded individuals later. “If you’re not in the current zone being called, stay put and allow the other zones to evacuate first because they’re in the most danger,” said Seals. “This will help avoid the traffic gridlock.”
As residents of the Houston and Galveston areas, it is our responsibility to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities. By preparing well in advance, creating comprehensive emergency kits, and having a solid evacuation plan, we can mitigate the risks associated with hurricanes.
For more information, including hurricane preparedness checklists and evacuation maps, visit the Hurricane Evacuation Planning - Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) website.
What to do when a storm is imminent
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Stock up early
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Additional considerations for the vulnerable population
Hurricane preparedness takes on an added significance for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with medical conditions and disabilities. Special considerations should be made to address their unique needs.
“Have a plan of action for those people in your household so you’re not scrambling to find the medications, medical devices, etc. at the last minute,” said Seals. Ensure that medical supplies and medications are well-stocked, and have a plan in place for transportation to a safe location if necessary. “Go ahead and write out the plan: here are the things you need to grab and how much. That can save so much time and anxiety during an evacuation. Not just making sure they have what they need if they’re displaced, but making sure the household and those individuals are not put under any undue stress.”
Even if no one in your household falls into this category, chances are you know someone who does. “A lot of times they’re forgotten about – so go check in on your elderly neighbor, check in on the family down the block with a lot of young kids.”
The Houston-Galveston Area Council developed the website TogetherAgainstTheWeather.com to help those with access and functional support needs to better prepare for hurricanes in advance of a storm. Visit the site for additional resources, and share it with your family, friends, and neighbors.
Having a solid evacuation plan can mitigate the risks associated
with hurricanes.
Click the arrows to view evacuation
routes
Click the arrows to view evacuation Having a solid evacuation plan
can mitigate the risks associated
with hurricanes.
Make an evacuation plan
Planning your evacuation route well in advance is just as important as creating your emergency kit. This will help you avoid taking a route that isn’t safe or efficient.
Seals recommends familiarizing yourself with two maps: the hurricane zip code zone map, and the evacuation routes map. The zip zone map shows you which evacuation zone you live in based on your zip code. When a storm is coming and there is a need to evacuate, you can watch or listen to the news and they will announce which evacuation zones need to start moving.
The evacuation route map shows you which route you will need to take when evacuating. These are carefully planned to get you away from areas where the likelihood of damage is high. The routes are also equipped with first responders and emergency supplies to aid evacuees along the route. Many gas stations and stores along the routes are prepared with gas, generators, and other essentials in case you have to stop. The maps are updated each year, so it’s important to check the website for the most current map.
The devastating effects of Hurricane Rita in 2005 serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of timely evacuation. During the evacuation process for Hurricane Rita, there were over 100 deaths attributed to traffic-related incidents and people being stuck in their vehicles for up to 20 hours. This tragedy underscores the significance of preparing early, leaving promptly, and following designated evacuation routes to avoid such situations in the future.