HOUSTON — HOUSTON (AP) — Hurricane season can be stressful for anyone in the potential path of a hurricane, as strong winds and heavy rains can cause widespread damage, knock out power for days or weeks, and otherwise disrupt lives.
But stress can be reduced if people have a plan to prepare their homes and decide whether to stay and wait out the storm or evacuate, emergency management officials say. This preparation, which includes assembling a kit of emergency supplies, should begin well before the storm approaches.
“Don't get complacent, take preparedness seriously, take the time now to do the little things that will make a big difference to you and your loved ones when something happens,” said Brian Mason, director of the Houston Emergency Management Agency.
Anything in the backyard that is not secured, such as furniture and barbecue grills, should be secured or brought inside to prevent it from becoming a projectile that could fly through a window, said Sean Schulze, regional general manager for the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast region.
If possible, board up windows and place important documents such as passports and birth certificates in a waterproof case or even a ziplock bag, Schulze said. This will prevent damage and make it easier to find documents during a quick evacuation.
Mason recommends homeowners have their roofs inspected before each hurricane season and know how to shut off utilities if damage occurs.
Long before a storm brews, people should trim or remove dead or weakened tree and shrub branches that overhang their homes to reduce potential damage from high winds, said Misty Hinote, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Insurance.
Hinote also encouraged people to check what type of insurance coverage they have and to take a home inventory of their belongings, taking photos of them in case an insurance claim needs to be filed after the storm.
“It’s a lot of information and a lot of preliminary steps, but little by little,” Hinote said.
Every family should have an emergency kit with supplies to meet their basic needs.
For people who stay, the kit should include at least 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water per day per person, enough for seven days, Mason said. One way to get enough water is to fill your bathtub.
People should also have enough non-perishable food to last up to seven days, as well as flashlights, batteries, candles, medicine, portable batteries or other sources of power, and a battery-operated radio.
Pets should be included in preparations, including bringing them inside before a storm and providing enough food, water and necessary medications for up to seven days, Mason said.
Parents should also provide something to keep their children entertained, such as games or coloring books, since likely power outages after the storm mean there will be no Internet or cell service, and “there's nothing more challenging for a family than kids bouncing off the walls because they're bored,” Mason said.
“If you decide to stay, you need to make sure you can be self-sufficient for a few days or weeks, depending on how long it takes for power to be restored,” Mason said.
If people decide to leave ahead of a hurricane, they should also prepare an emergency kit with enough supplies to get them to their destination, officials said.
Before a hurricane hits, Mason said people should know their evacuation routes and have backup routes in place in case roads become congested.
Officials recommend refueling vehicles if a storm approaches. People using electric vehicles should make sure there are charging stations along their routes, he said.
Schulze said it's natural for people to be afraid of an approaching hurricane, but having a plan and letting loved ones know you're prepared will go a long way to easing fears.
“Think about what the worst could be and prepare for it, and you will always be prepared for what comes your way,” Schulze said.
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