Hurricane Preparation

• Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS).
• Check your disaster supplies and replace or restock as needed.
• Bring in anything that can be picked up by the wind (bicycles, lawn furniture).
• Close windows, doors, and hurricane shutters. If you do not have hurricane shutters, close and board up all windows and doors with plywood.
• Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and keep them closed as much as possible so that food will last longer if the power goes out.
• Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances.
• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Talk with members of your household and create an evacuation plan.  Planning and practicing your evacuation plan minimizes confusion and fear during the event.
• Learn about your community’s hurricane response plan. Plan routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs as required, and make plans for your pets to be cared for.
• Evacuate if advised by authorities. Be careful to avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
• Because standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, it’s important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the U.S. For more information on flood insurance, please visit the National Flood Insurance Program website at FloodSmart.gov. When you buy flood insurance, your coverage will not begin until 30 days after your purchase.

What supplies do I need?

• Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day
• Food—at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
• Extra clothing, hat, rain gear, Emergency blanket and sturdy shoes
• Flashlight and Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAAWeather Radio, if possible)
• Insect repellent and sunscreen
• First aid kit
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical
• items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
• Multi-purpose tool, tools and supplies for securing your home
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth
• certificates, insurance policies)
• Family and emergency contact information, cell phone with chargers and extra batteries
• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
• Extra cash
• Extra set of car keys and house keys, map(s) of the area
• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)

Resources

Ready Harris
Houston Responds
Sign up for trash pickup reminders from the City of Houston
Get your free COVID-19 vaccine
Rental assistance
Water bill assistance
Disaster recovery
Food assistance
FEMA COVID-19 funeral assistance

Our friends at Lone Star Legal Aid have created the following flyers that provide important information.

• Insurance Steps (English)
• Insurance Steps (Spanish)
• Insurance Steps (Vietnamese)
• Home Repair Fraud (English)
• Home Repair Fraud (Spanish)
• Home Repair Fraud (Vietnamese)
• Renter’s Rights (English)
• Renter’s Rights (Spanish)
• Renter’s Rights (Vietnamese)
• School Rights (English)
• School Rights (Spanish)
• School Rights (Vietnamese)
• Replacing Lost Documents (English)
• Replacing Lost Documents (Spanish)
• Replacing Lost Documents (Vietnamese)
• What is your flood risk? (English)
• What is your flood risk? (Spanish)
• What is your flood risk? (Vietnamese)

Harris County Flood Warning System Map – Tracks the amount of rain fallen in your part of Harris County

Centerpoint Energy Outage Tracker – Shows where power is out and provides an estimate when it will be restored

TranStar High Water – Includes flooded roadway information

Texas Department of Transportation Hurricane Information  – Shows evacuation routes, road conditions, and travel information