There’s never a warm enough welcome to the Atlantic Hurricane Season in Texas. While we can’t control what kind of storms await us, we can make sure that we are prepared for whatever comes our way.
April showers bring May flowers but a June in Texas contains the official start of Hurricane season in 2021. Already, there have been a number of storms found forming on the Atlantic coast and it is important to be prepared for what might come. Many people wait to prepare until news breaks out about a storm just a few days before it makes landfall, but with these helpful tips, you can be sure that you are not left running around frantically to brace for the storm.
When is Hurricane Season?
Hurricane season began officially on June 1st and ends on November 30th. Some hurricane seasons are inactive, meaning that there are no foreseeable storms to prepare for. Some, like this season, are active. This means that storms are already forming along the coast and it would be in our best interest to prepare for those. The NOAA is already predicting a 60% chance of an above-normal season, meaning that we could see a number of hurricanes in one hurricane season this year.
Get Ready Now! Hurricane Preparedness Tips:
The less than ideal time to put preparation practices in motion is when the news alerts you of a hurricane. If you wait until then, you should also prepare to meet long lines, little to no items available in stores, and you’ll be racing against the clock along with everyone else.
If you place these hurricane tips in action now, you’ll be safe instead of sorry in light of whatever heads our way!
Tip #1: Prepare a Hurricane Survival Kit
Getting a hurricane survival kit together now saves you from standing in long lines, trying to get materials that everyone is also trying to get. Your basic hurricane survival kit should have the following materials:
- Water (at least one gallon of water for drinking per person per day for 3-7 days)
- Food (a 3-7 day supply of non perishable food)
- A battery powered or hand crank radio. Make sure to pack extra batteries as well.
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle for signaling for help
- Dust masks to help filter contaminated air from outside
- Moist wipes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Masks, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and spray
- Can opener
- Pet food and extra water for the pet
- Local maps
These are basic materials that every hurricane survival kit should contain. If you’d like to take it a step further, and make way for a little more comfort in the case of emergency; try including these materials as well:
- Prescription medication
- Infant formula and diapers (if you need it)
- Important family documents (Social security cards, proof of insurance, bank account records, etc.) in a fireproof and waterproof container.
- Cash and change
- Sleeping bag or a warm blanket
- Complete change of clothing and shoes
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- Paper or plastic cups, plates, and utensils
- Paper and pencils
- Activities for kids (books, puzzles, games, etc.).
Tip #2: Know Your Hurricane Evacuation Zone
If at any point during a hurricane the authorities deem it necessary to issue evacuation orders, they will issue these orders by zip code zone, or “zip zone”. This is so that the flow of traffic is smoother, avoiding highway congestion and allowing for people to make headway safely and quickly. Therefore, knowing your zip zone will help you recognize when you should evacuate. You can find your zip zone near you with the following map:
Tip #3: Know Your Hurricane Evacuation Route
If you’ve identified your zip zone, it will be easier for you to identify hurricane evacuation routes near you. Knowing this in advance will prevent you from second-guessing or wandering around in a panic if evacuation orders are issued for your zone. Here are a few links displaying the hurricane evacuation routes in Houston:
Tip #4: Put Together a Family Emergency Plan
Should anything happen, is every family member clear on what to do? If not, it’s time to put together a family emergency plan where every member will know what to do in case of an emergency. Where will everyone meet if separated? How will you contact each other should anything happen? It’s questions like these that every member of your family should be able to answer because of the family emergency plan.
Tip #5: Prepare Your Home for Impact
Lastly, but certainly not least, you’ll want to make sure that your home is prepared, both legally and physically, for the impact of a hurricane. Make sure that your home and cars are insured and that any legal documents and contact information are easily accessible and stored safely (see step 1!). If you want to take it a few steps further, keep all trees around the home trimmed, make sure all doors are hinged correctly, and keep a supply of materials to board up your home just in case.
Stay Ready This Hurricane Season
Here at Katy Responds, we understand that sometimes the unexpected happens. By implementing these 5 tips, you can make your 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season experience far less stressful so even if the unexpected happens, you can have a bit more peace about it through the execution and results of careful preparation.
Have any hurricane season preparation tips that you swear by? Share those in the comments below!
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