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hurricane The weather can be stressful for anyone near the potential path of Storm equally powerful winds and heavy Rain Threatened to cause massive destruction LossCutting Power for days or weeks and otherwise upward PeopleLife of.
But according to emergency management officials, preparing your home and making a plan to decide whether to stay and ride out the storm or evacuate can reduce that stress.
Preparation, which involves preparing a kit of needed items supplyThis should start long before the storm arrives.
“Don’t be complacent,” said director Brian Mason. houstonOffice of Emergency Management. “Take preparation seriously, spend time now doing the little things that will make a big difference for you and your loved ones if something happens.”
How to prepare your home for a hurricane
Anything in your yard that is not tied down, including furniture and barbecue grills, should be secured or brought inside so it doesn’t become a projectile that could fly out the window, said regional CEO Shawn Schultz. American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region.
If possible, board up windows and keep important documents like passports and birth certificates in waterproof cases or ziplock bags, Schultz said. This will prevent damage and make it easier to locate documents in quick withdrawals.
Mason recommends it homeowners Inspect your roofs before each hurricane season and know how to shut off their utilities in case of damage.
Even before the storm comes, People People should trim or remove dead or weak tree limbs and brush overhanging their homes to reduce potential damage from high winds, said Texas Insurance Department spokeswoman Misty Hinot.
Hinot also urged people to review what type of insurance coverage they have and take a home inventory of their possessions in case they need to make an insurance claim after the storm.
“It’s a lot of information and a lot of pre-storm steps, but a little at a time,” Hinot said.
keep an emergency kit
Every family should have an emergency kit with supplies to meet their basic needs.
For those who stay, a kit should include at least 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water per person per day, enough to last up to seven days, Mason said. One way to get enough water is to fill a bathtub.
People There should also be enough non-perishable food to last seven days, as well as flashlights, batteries, candles, medicines, a portable power bank or other power source, and a radio that runs on batteries.
domestic animal This should be factored into preparations, Mason said, including getting them inside before the storm and having enough food, water and essential medicines for seven days.
Parents should include something to keep their children entertained, such as games or coloring books, as potential power outages after the storm mean there will be no internet and cellular service, and Mason said, “There is nothing more challenging for a family than kids who are bouncing off the walls because they are bored.”
“If you decide to stay, you need to make sure you can remain self-sufficient for days to weeks, depending on how long it takes for power to be restored,” Mason said.
make an evacuation plan
If people decide to evacuate before the storm hits, they should also prepare an emergency kit with enough supplies to get them to their destination, officials said.
Before a storm hits, people should know where their evacuation routes are and have backup routes in case roads become congested, Mason said.
Officials recommend refueling vehicles if a storm is approaching. He said people owning electric vehicles should ensure that there are charging stations on their routes.
Schultz said it’s natural for people to be afraid when a storm is coming, but making a plan and letting loved ones know you’re prepared will go a long way to reducing fear.
“Think about what’s the worst that could happen and prepare for that, and you’ll always be prepared for whatever comes your way,” Schultz said.