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Residents Reminded to Plan for Hurricane Season
May 29, 2009
Hurricane Season makes its official start Monday, June 1, and the City of Baytown’s Office of Emergency Management reminds citizens that now is the perfect time to prepare emergency supply kits and gather important documents.
“Our City is in an evacuation zone, so it is vital that every household makes and discusses their evacuation plan,” said Emergency Management Coordinator, Bill Vola. “It’s definitely not something that should be left to the last minute, when tension is high and supplies may be limited. Good planning is the key to handling any severe weather event,” he added.
The Governor’s Division of Emergency Management suggests the following checklist of things to check prior to the start of Hurricane Season:
- Choose a place to call and meet. Make sure all family members have the name of someone outside the area. If anyone gets separated, one phone call can let others know where they are.
Learn evacuation routes before storm season. Be sure to have a current Texas map.
Register for the City’s Connect-CTY notification system (look for the orange and white sign up button here on the City's website).
Review insurance coverage and prepare an inventory of personal property needed for insurance settlements, and keep this with other important documents. Remember that once a storm is in the Gulf of Mexico, it will not be possible to obtain flood insurance until after that storm has passed.
If you or a family member might need special assistance, be sure to call 2-1-1 to make necessary arrangements.
Prepare a family emergency kit, which should include:
- A three to seven day supply of non-perishable food and drinking water for each member (1 gallon per person/per day
- A manual can opener
- Paper plates, plastic utensils, and coolers for food and ice storage.
- Batteries, flashlights, and a battery powered or hand-crank weather radio.
- Important documents and records, photo IDs, proof of residence and information to process insurance claims. Keep all items in a waterproof container that is easy to carry.
- Credit cards and cash. ATMs and banks might not be available if the power is out.
- A first aid kit, extra prescription medication, written copies of all prescriptions, special medical items, eyeglasses and hearing aids.
- Personal hygiene items, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and any items needed for babies, the elderly or pets.
- Plastic bags and kitty litter for use as an emergency toilet.
Prepare an emergency kit for pets, and a plan on how to care for them while on the road and in a shelter or hotel.
Residents are asked to remember that 9-1-1- is for reporting emergencies only. 9-1-1- should NOT be called for information. For information, call (281) 420-5311. For more information regarding hurricane preparedness or emergency management, visit the City of Baytown’s Office of Emergency Management website at www.oembaytown.org.
Additional information can be found at www.onestorm.org, www.ready.gov, and www.texasprepares.org/ReadyOrNot.
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