Issues

Hurricane Preparedness
After Hurricanes Katrina, Dolly and Ike hit our communities, I wanted to help avoid the problems we faced.

Your local, state and federal officials have been working together to consolidate resources, coordinate efforts, and provide information. We are all better organized.

I have provided information to help you prepare for future hurricanes. Please take the necessary precautions and ready yourselves in case of an emergency. Included are checklists and information complied from various websites.

Please use this information and visit the links given so that we don't encounter the same tragedies that have already faced us. If there is any way I can serve you better, please let me know.

Prepare Your Home…
Here are some steps you can take to protect your property before a storm hits:
- Find out the elevation of your property and check floodplain maps.
- Check your insurance coverage. Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Learn about the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Find out if your home meets current building code requirements for high winds. Structures that meet current high-wind provisions have a better chance of surviving violent windstorms.
- Install commercial shutters or prepare 5/8 inch plywood panels for your windows.
- Garage doors are frequently the first feature in a home to fail. Reinforce garage doors so that they are able to withstand high winds.
- If you do not live in an evacuation zone or a mobile home, designate an interior room with no windows or external doors as a “safe room.”
- Assess your property to ensure that landscaping and trees do not become a wind hazard. Trim all dead wood, and weak branches or overhanging branches from all trees. Certain trees and bushes are vulnerable to high winds and any dead tree near a home is a hazard.
- Consider landscaping materials other than gravel or rocks.
- Move outside items to safety, such as patio furniture, plants and grills.
- If your home is in a floodplain, move valuables and furniture to a higher level.
- Put valuable documents in waterproof containers, and take them with you if you evacuate.
- Turn off electricity at the main circuit breaker or fuse box to protect appliances from power surges and reduce the risk of live dangling wires after the storm.
- If the house is supplied with natural or propane gas, turn it off at the meter or tank.
- Remove perishable items from your refrigerator and freezer if you evacuate.
- Make a final walk-through inspection before closing the door.
Think about the Basics…..
- Escape routes.
- Family communications.
- Utility shut-off and safety.
- Insurance and vital records.
- Special needs.
- Caring for animals.
- Safety Skills.
- You should consider these things when making your plan.
- Visit https://www.211texas.org/211/home.do
Emergency Supplies
Have these items packed and ready in one place before disaster strikes. Pack at least a three-day supply of food and water, and store it in a handy place. Choose foods that are easy to carry, nutritious and ready-to-eat. In addition, pack these emergency items:
- Medical supplies and first aid manual
- Hygiene supplies
- Portable radio, flashlight and extra batteries
- Shovel and other useful tools
- Household liquid bleach to purify water
- Money and matches in a waterproof container
- Fire extinguisher
- Blanket and extra clothing
- Infant and small children's needs (if appropriate)
- Manual can opener
- Information from American Red Cross Food & Water in an Emergency
- For a more compressive list, go to http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/appendix_b.shtm
Two Ways to Purify Water

In addition to having bad odor and taste, contaminated water can contain microorganisms that cause such as dysentery, typhoid and hepatitis. Purify all water of uncertain purity before using it for drinking, food preparation or hygiene.

Two easy purification methods are outlined below. These measures will kill most microbes but will not remove other contaminants such as heavy metals, salts, and most other chemicals. Before purifying, let any suspended particles settle to the bottom, or strain them through layers of paper towel or clean cloth.

BOILING. Boiling is the safest method of purifying water. Bring water too a rolling boil for 3-5 minutes, keeping in mind that some water will evaporate. Let the water cool before drinking.

Boiled water will taste better if you put oxygen back into it by pouring the water back and forth between two clean containers. This will improve the taste of stored water.

DISINFECTION. Household liquid bleach can be used to kill microorganisms. Use only regular household liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented bleaches, colorsafe bleaches or bleaches with added cleaners.

Add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water, stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not have slight bleach odor, repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes. *Information from American Red Cross Food & Water in an Emergency

For more information visit…..

https://www.211texas.org/211/home.do

http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/

http://www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/appendix_b.pdf

http://www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/appendix_c.pdf

http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/preparedness/A4600.pdf Informative 14 page booklet from the American Red Cross

Important Phone Numbers….

Representative Deshotel District Office 409-724-0788

Representative Deshotel Capitol Office 512-463-0662

American Red Cross 409-883-2322

Congressman Ted Poe Humble Office 1-866-447-0242

Judge Ronald L. Walker 409-835-8466

Emergency Management 409-722-4371

Emergency Services 9-1-1