After the devastating Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2017, early predictions for 2018 call for another above-average hurricane season. According to forecasters up to 14 tropical storms could develop between June 1 and November 30, six to eight storms could become hurricanes - three to five major hurricanes. Regardless of the forecast, it only takes one storm to make it a bad year.
Harris County experienced its worst flood ever when heavy rainfall from Hurricane Harvey stalled in southeast Texas last August. This disaster claimed 36 lives in Harris County alone and led to one of the largest rescue efforts in Texas history. Latest estimates indicate 600,000 vehicles and up to 180,000 homes were damaged.
“Unfortunately, June 1 marks the beginning of yet another hurricane season, even as we and our neighbors continue working to recover from last year’s devastation,” said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. “Despite numerous predictions, though, the truth is that we have no way of knowing now whether we will face any storms or whether those storms might threaten us with surge, wind or rain.”
The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) once again reminds residents that regular homeowners' insurance does not cover damage caused by floods and hurricanes.
To protect yourself from losses caused by most flooding, you will need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood insurance policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect, so if you do not have a policy, you should obtain one as soon as possible. For more information about flood insurance, go to
FloodSmart.gov or call 1-800-427-4661.
“Regardless of the number of hurricanes predicted, it only takes one to wreak havoc on us once again,” added Judge Emmett. “Be assured that Harris County will continue working to prepare our residents, our infrastructure and our response teams, but it is up to each individual to prepare themselves and their families.”
It is important that residents know who their local emergency management contacts are and any questions pertaining to emergency preparedness should be directed to the office of emergency management in their city.
Everyone should have an emergency supply kit with enough non-perishable food and water to last seven to ten days. Other essential items include:
- Copies of insurance papers and identification sealed in a watertight plastic bag
- First-aid kit
- NOAA weather radio and batteries
- Mobile phone and charger
- Prescription medicines
- Sleeping bag or blankets
- Clothing
- Personal hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and deodorant
- Cash or checkbook
- Pet supplies including food, water, leashes, bedding, and vaccination records
Residents who live in an evacuation zone need to learn their evacuation routes and follow instructions from local authorities. To determine if your home is located in an evacuation zone, check the
Zip Zone Evacuation Map.
If you are asked to evacuate:
- Leave as soon as possible
- Secure your home; lock windows and doors
- Unplug appliances; turn off electricity and main water valve
- Pack your emergency supply kit, extra blankets, and sleeping bags
- Take your pets with you
- Make sure your gas tank is full
- Follow recommended evacuation routes
If you are staying home:
- Identify a safe room, an area with no windows; stock it with a battery-powered TV/radio with spare batteries, sleeping bags, pillows, snacks, and water
- Secure your home; put away outdoor objects and furniture
- Fill bathtubs with water for non-drinking use (such as flushing toilets)
- Wait until storm passes to come out
If you will need help evacuating, sign up with the
State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) online or call 2-1-1 to register for transportation. STEAR is a free service available to the elderly, people with access and functional needs, and individuals who do not have any other means of transportation.
It is important to stay informed before, during and after a hurricane. Sign up to receive weather and emergency alerts at
www.readyharris.org and closely monitor the news media. Local officials will provide information about current conditions, evacuations and re-entry. Residents can also follow HCOHSEM on
Facebook and
Twitter.
In addition to your personal preparedness, consider getting involved in neighborhood and community emergency preparedness activities. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills. CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. Call Harris County Citizen Corps at (281) JOIN NOW (564-6669) or go to
HarrisCountyCitizenCorps.com to sign up for classes or to get information about other volunteer opportunities. You can also get Harris County Citizen Corps news and updates on
Facebook.
Finally, go to
ReadyHarris.org for preparedness tips and/or download the free
ReadyHarris app, from the App Store or Google Play. The ReadyHarris app delivers real time weather alerts, hosts a step-by-step guide to building a personalized family disaster plan, offers survival tip sheets, maps evacuation routes, and locates local emergency services.
