PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
128 AM CDT SAT MAY 30 2009

...DISASTER PREVENTION...BE PREPARED...

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL TEXAS COASTAL RESIDENTS TO PREPARE FOR THE
HURRICANE SEASON IN ADVANCE. THE STORMS CAN FORM QUICKLY IN THE
GULF...WITH NOT MUCH TIME TO PREPARE. ALSO...AS WE KNOW FROM
EXPERIENCE WITH HURRICANE IKE AND OTHERS...HURRICANES AND TROPICAL
STORMS CAN HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT. BELOW IS A SHORT LISTING OF
GUIDELINES TO HELP YOU DEVELOP A PLAN TO SURVIVE A
HURRICANE...MINIMIZE YOUR LOSSES...AND RECOVER ONCE THE STORM MOVES
AWAY.

FIRST THING YOU SHOULD DO IS ASSEMBLE A HURRICANE SUPPLY KIT. LARGE
WATERPROOF STORAGE CONTAINERS AND ROLL AWAY SUITCASES MAKE GOOD
STORAGE DEVICES. YOU WILL WANT TO ASSEMBLE ENOUGH NON-PERISHABLE
FOOD...WATER...MEDICINE AND MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES FOR AT LEAST A
ONE WEEK PERIOD. YOU SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST ONE GALLON OF WATER PER
PERSON...PER DAY. YOUR SUPPLY KIT SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE ITEMS SUCH AS
A BATTERY-POWERED RADIO OR TELEVISION...FIRST AID KIT...SANITATION
AND HYGIENE ITEMS...EXTRA CLOTHING AND BLANKETS...A GOOD MAP SHOWING
COUNTY ROADS AND HIGHWAYS AS WELL AS EVACUATION ROUTES...PET CARRIER
AND LEASHES FOR EACH PET...A LIST OF IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS...AND
PHOTO COPIES OF IDENTIFICATION...INSURANCE...HOUSEHOLD INVENTORY...
PRESCRIPTIONS...AND OTHER IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS.

SECOND...DECIDE IF YOU WILL NEED TO EVACUATE WHEN A STORM THREATENS
AND WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO GO. YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
OFFICE CAN HELP YOU TO DETERMINE THE BEST ROUTE TO TAKE...AND CAN
ADVISE YOU ON WHAT ROADS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS HURRICANE
EVACUATION ROUTES. BE SURE TO NOTIFY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES OF YOUR
PLANS.

THIRD...PLAN TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY BY PURCHASING SOME STURDY
STORM SHUTTERS AND EXTRA BRACING FOR YOUR GARAGE DOORS. PAST
HURRICANES HAVE SHOWN THAT ONCE THE WIND ENTERS THE HOME OR
BUSINESS...ROOF FAILURE AND A SEVERE LOSS IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR.

FOURTH...CHECK YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE TO MAKE SURE IT ADEQUATELY
MEETS YOUR NEEDS. A COMPLETE INVENTORY OF YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY
WILL HELP IN OBTAINING INSURANCE SETTLEMENTS. REMEMBER FLOOD
INSURANCE IS NOT INCLUDED WITH YOUR REGULAR HOME OWNERS POLICY.
THEREFORE...IF YOU LIVE IN A FLOOD ZONE...OR NEAR THE COAST...YOU
SHOULD CONSIDER PURCHASING A FLOOD POLICY.

FIFTH...IF YOU PLAN TO EVACUATE AND YOU HAVE A PET...TAKE YOUR PET
WITH YOU. BUT REMEMBER...MANY HOTELS AND SHELTERS DO NOT ACCEPT
PETS. MAKE SURE YOUR PET HAS A PROPER ID COLLAR AND YOU HAVE PROOF
OF CURRENT VACCINATIONS FOR ALL OF YOUR PETS.

FINALLY...BEFORE THE STORM APPROACHES...GAS UP YOUR VEHICLE...OBTAIN
PLENTY OF CASH AND LEAVE IMMEDIATELY WHEN OFFICIALS ADVISE. WAITING
UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT COULD PLACE YOU WITHIN A LONG LINE OF CARS
TRYING TO ESCAPE HARMS WAY. ALSO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN ADEQUATE
SUPPLY OF MEDICINES.

PLANNING AHEAD COULD SAVE CONSIDERABLE TIME AND HARDSHIPS IN AN
EMERGENCY SITUATION.

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