Preparing for a Hurricane

Hurricane Season Is Here - Are You Prepared?

We were blessed to have dodged the bullet when Hurricane Rita was aimed right at Houston last year. Hurricane Katrina and Rita have created learning opportunities for all of us. I learned that as an individual I needed to be better prepared. Through simple planning, we can keep our families safe. Emergencies such as a hurricane can occur with little or no warning. Preparing now will ensure the safety of your family if Houston is faced with a similar situation this year. The checklist below will assist you to be better prepared for similar emergencies in the future.

CHECKLIST

FAMILY REVIEW

Discuss the dangers of hurricanes and how to respond with your family.
Determine the safest rooms in your house.
Practice home fire drills during the day and night.
Draw a floor plan of your home with escape routes clearly marked.
Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injuries.
Show family members how and when to turn off the water and gas valves and electricity at the main switches when necessary.
Decide on an emergency meeting place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a hurricane.
Have a family member take a basic first aid and CPR class.
Discuss plan for family pets. Have carriers accessible for travel if needed.

COMMUNICATIONS

Teach children your contact phone numbers.
Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for ALL family members to call if separated during a hurricane.
Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones.
Teach children how and when to call 911 to reach police and fire.
Instruct household members where to tune on the radio for emergency information.

PREPARE

Assemble a supply kit (ex: non-perishable food, medical/health supplies, batteries, radio, flash light, cash) in an easy-to-carry container in the event that you might need for an evacuation or a long term shelter-in-place.
Include pet supplies if needed
Store all important records/photos in a fire resistant container and keep additional copies away from your home.
Make list of important phone numbers if above items are lost or misplaced. (i.e. - Credit cards, driver's license/DPS, Social Security, insurance company, etc.)
Plan for the possibility that usual services (hospital, stores, banks, gas stations) may be disrupted. During hurricane season do not allow your medical prescriptions to run out before refilling!!

Top of this page