Houston, TX - On Tuesday, July 26 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Sagemont Church, 11300 South San Houston Parkway East, Houston, TX 77089, the Houston Police Department along with the Houston Fire Department (HFD), the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and other partners will host the fourth in a series of workshops for severe weather and emergency preparedness aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities in future severe weather events.
The educational campaign, dubbed "Turn Around, Don't Drown," focuses on flood safety with information from the HPD, HFD, OEM, and the Harris County Flood Control District. The campaign will include a series of informational workshops, presentations, brochures and promotional safety giveaways.
HPD has purchased 2,000 "car escape tools" to be distributed to citizens at the presentations, while the supplies last. The Houston Police Federal Credit Union and Yellow Cab Greater Houston Transportation Company will also purchase steel-tipped car escape tools to be distributed with other giveaways at the workshops. Ready Houston has also provided promotional giveaways for the event.
Mayor Turner said the campaign aims to encourage citizens to wait, and not venture out on the roadways in severe weather events. "The best approach is always to stay home but if you should find yourself in a car in rising water, we want you to know what to do to save yourself. Don't become our next flood-related fatality. Make your plan now!" said Mayor Turner.
HPD Acting Police Chief Montalvo urges motorists to heed warnings and any traffic barricades in the roadway. "When we say Turn Around, Don't Drown, that also means to not drive around any barricades our officers or city officials placed in the road. They're doing that for a reason and that is to keep drivers safe and away from high water and danger," Acting Chief Montalvo said.
A new flood safety brochure with valuable information and photos is available on the HPD website at
http://www.houstontx.gov/police/pdfs/brochures/english/turn_around_dont_drown.pdf
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