Houston- Preparing for Hurricane Season

Those who have lived in Houston for more than five years know that the weather here is crazy. One day we can wake up to a bright sunny day and go to sleep in a stormy night, all in the period of a few hours. Unfortunately that’s not the only factor in our weather that gives Houstonian’s a headache. We also have to deal with hurricanes, floods, and high winds. 

The month of June is the beginning of hurricane season in Houston.  Luckily our technology is advance enough to warn us if a hurricane is approaching. What would happen if we did not have TV, radio, or internet? How would we know if a hurricane is coming?

The following are hurricane signs that all Houstonians should know specially if you live near Galveston:

Ocean waves increase in size, while the period between waves decreases.

Every Houstonian should have a barometer in their household. Barometers measure air pressure. As hurricanes approach air pressure begins to fall.

A wind increase is a good warning that a hurricane is less than 24 hours from landfall.

Hours before the hurricane hits there will be a series of rain fall called rain bands.

Source: http://www.aolnews.com/2010/07/23/backgrounder-early-warning-signs-of-a-hurricane/

Once you know a hurricane is coming what can you do to prepare for it?

Have a family plan- Locate the safest room in the house. Sometimes the safest place is not your home but another location in your community like a school gym.

Determine exit routes from your home and place to meet. They should be in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.

Avoid streets that flood.

If you have pets, plan what you are going to do with them if you need to evacuate.

Stock emergency supplies as well as a disaster kit- the following link lets you know the supplies needed to build a disaster kit (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/supply_kit.shtml).

Use a NOAA radio- (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/)

Have a list of emergency phone numbers.  Remind your kids to dial 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.

If you are a Houston resident or plan to live here more than five years don’t let the hurricane season come to you as a surprise. Find out if a hurricane is near, and be well prepared.

Comments

[Mary Bondurant]

I am not a Houstonian and was here through Ike. These are great tips that I could have used before that storm! Do the phone lines work in the storms though? Cell phones? I recall phone lines being down through Ike. Let me know when you find a good escape route to! ;)

[mohsina]

These are very good tips that could be used during hurricane season. Having a family plan is very important. But for Houston we need better escape route. I don't want to be stuck in traffic in that situation. I prefer staying home and follow all safety tips to be safe.