When a hurricane threatens, these tips can help you prepare
HOUSTON– HOUSTON (AP) — Hurricane season can be stressful for anyone near a storm’s potential path, as powerful winds and heavy rain can cause widespread damage, knock out power for days or weeks and upend people’s lives.
But stress can be reduced if people have a plan for preparing their homes and deciding whether to stay and ride out a storm or evacuate, emergency management officials say. This preparation, which includes putting together a kit of essential supplies, should begin well before a storm approaches.
“Don’t be complacent, take preparation seriously, take the time now to do the little things that will make a big difference for you and your loved ones when something happens,” said Brian Mason, director of the Houston Office of Emergency Management.
Anything not tied down in the yard, like furniture and grills, should be secured or brought indoors so it doesn’t become a projectile that can pass through a window, said Shawn Schulze, American Red Cross regional CEO, Texas Gulf Coast region.
If possible, close windows and place important documents such as passports and birth certificates in a waterproof case or even a Ziploc bag, Schulze said. This will prevent damage and make it easier to locate documents during a rapid evacuation.
Mason recommends that homeowners have their roof inspected before each hurricane season and know how to shut off their utilities in case of damage.
Well before a storm brews, people should trim or remove dead or weakened tree limbs and shrubs that hang over their homes to reduce potential damage from high winds, said Mistie Hinote, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Insurance.
Hinote also urged people to review the type of insurance coverage they have and take an inventory of their belongings by taking photos of them in case an insurance claim needs to be made after a storm.
“It’s a lot of information and a lot of pre-storm steps, but little by little,” Hinote said.
Every family should have an emergency kit with supplies to meet their basic needs.
For people staying, a kit should include at least 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water per day per person, with enough for up to seven days, Mason said. One way to have enough water is to fill a bathtub.
People should also have enough non-perishable food to last up to seven days, as well as flashlights, batteries, candles, medicine, portable power banks or other energy sources, and a battery-operated radio.
Pets should be included in preparations, including bringing them indoors before a storm and providing them with enough food, water and necessary medications for up to seven days, Mason said.
Parents should also include something to keep their children entertained, like games or coloring books, because likely power outages after a hurricane mean there will be no Internet and cell service, and there is “nothing harder on a family than kids bouncing off the walls because they’re bored,” Mason said.
“If you decide to stay, you need to make sure you can be self-sustaining for days or even weeks, depending on how long it takes for power to be restored,” Mason said.
If people decide to leave before a storm, they should also prepare an emergency kit with enough supplies to get to their destination, officials said.
Before a storm arrives, people need to know their evacuation routes and have backup routes in case roads become congested, Mason said.
Officials recommend refueling vehicles if a storm is approaching. People with electric vehicles should make sure their routes are equipped with charging stations, he said.
Schulze said it’s natural for people to be afraid when a hurricane arrives, but having a plan in place and letting loved ones know you’re prepared will go a long way toward alleviating fears.
“Think about what could be the worst and prepare for that and you will always be ready for whatever lies ahead,” Schulze said.
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