Hurricane Season is upon us, prepare today
Remember, it only takes one
Hurricane season began June 1, so now is the time that folks need to really make sure they are prepared for the next big storm.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts what they call a near-normal season, which may sound good, but that still means that there WILL be storms with the potential to hit U.S. coasts. Forecasters expect “a likely range of 9–15 named storms, of which 4–8 are expected to become hurricanes and 2–4 of those hurricanes are expected to become major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.” Remember, it only takes one to devastate a community.
About this time last year, several feet of water inundated the Rio Grande Valley, and nearly two years ago, Hurricane Harvey brought $125 billion worth of damage to coastal and inland Texans. More recently, hurricanes Florence and Michael wiped out homes and businesses on the East Coast.
We know by now that it’s not if another storm will hit the U.S., it’s when. That’s why it’s so important to prepare now. Know your risk and sign up for alerts, gather emergency supplies, and plan your evacuation route. Also, be sure to make sure your flood and wind insurance policies are current. Regular home insurance rarely covers hurricane and storm damage.
The fact is, this country will experience torrential rain, damaging winds and tornadoes this hurricane season. What we don’t know is when or where.
Last week Commissioner George P. Bush hosted a webinar with Dr. Gerry Bell (Head Forecaster for NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center), Barry Goldsmith (National Weather Service Head Meteorologist in Charge for the Rio Grande Valley Region), Heather Lagrone (Deputy Director for the GLO’s Community Development & Revitalization), and Sandra Eslinger (FEMA Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator) to give local, state, and federal government partners along the Texas Coast an idea of what the 2019 hurricane season may look like, and what it could mean for our communities.
You can view the full webinar here.
Unfortunately, Texas and many other states, have been waiting well over a year for federal rules that prescribe how we can spend funding that was appropriated by Congress to mitigate storm effects. Without these rules, we cannot begin drafting a plan for how to use these funds to better protect communities from the damage that resulted from Hurricane Harvey. In the meantime, there is much we can do locally to prepare.
It’s critical for folks to remember that disaster preparedness begins in your home. While no one can control the weather, you can take steps now to be prepared and stay prepared.
· Know Your Risk — Sign up for your community’s emergency warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
· Gather Supplies — Keep in mind each person’s needs, gathering supplies for at least three days. Stock up on items such as food and water, non-perishable foods, first-aid supplies, prescriptions, pet supplies, flashlights and batteries. Don’t forget to charge electronics you may need.
· Secure Documents — Remember to secure copies of important personal documents. Filing for government assistance requires documentation. Be sure to keep documents in a secure location and take them with you if you need to evacuate.
· Make Your Evacuation Plan — Be familiar with the route and shelter locations. Discuss and practice drills for your evacuation plan with your family each year.
· Protect Your Property — Shutter your home as needed, review your flood insurance policy (or sign up for one) and declutter drains and gutters. Most homeowner and renter insurance policies do not cover flood damage. A flood insurance policy generally does not take effect until 30 days after purchase, so be sure to maintain your policy.
Folks can find tips for how to prepare your home, family, and pets in case of disaster at our website recovery.texas.gov/preparedness.
