2024 Hurricane Season and Being Prepared in Houston

5/9/2024 (Permalink)

It's less than 30 days until the official start of the 2024 Hurricane Season. Houston, now is the time to start preparing before storms hit our area.

Where will the impact of hurricane season be most pronounced? Forecasts suggest that the Gulf Coast, spanning states such as Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, will bear the brunt of severe weather conditions. Research from CSU indicates a notable increase in the likelihood of landfall along the Gulf Coast, with a 42 percent probability during the 2024 hurricane season, surpassing the historical average of 27 percent.  Preparedness is key when facing fierce hurricanes. Here are essential guidelines to ensure your safety and the protection of your property before, during, and after a hurricane strikes:

1. Develop an Emergency Plan: Craft a comprehensive emergency plan before a hurricane hits. Ensure every household member comprehends their role, establish evacuation routes, designate meeting points, and establish communication methods to stay connected during the storm. Tailor your plan to accommodate the needs of elderly relatives, children, and pets.
2. Prepare an Emergency Kit: Compile a well-stocked emergency kit capable of sustaining your family for at least 72 hours. Include non-perishable food, drinking water, medications, flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered radio, first aid supplies, cash, important documents, and a portable phone charger. Regularly check and refresh perishable items' expiry dates.
3. Secure Your Property: Mitigate potential damage to your property by taking preventive measures. Trim trees, remove loose branches, reinforce windows with storm shutters or plywood, and relocate outdoor furniture and grills indoors. Consider investing in a backup generator and ensure its safe operation.
4. Review Insurance Coverage: Assess your homeowner’s insurance policy to ensure adequate coverage for hurricane-related damages. Understand your coverage details, deductibles, and exclusions. If necessary, acquire flood insurance, as standard policies typically exclude flood damage. Store essential insurance documents in a waterproof, easily accessible location.
5. Safeguard Important Documents: Gather essential paperwork such as financial records, birth certificates, passports, insurance policies, and property deeds. Store them in a waterproof, portable container or digitize and upload them to secure cloud storage for easy access during post-storm recovery.
6. Stay Informed: Stay abreast of the hurricane's progress by monitoring reliable weather sources like the National Hurricane Center, local news, or weather apps. Heed evacuation orders, track storm movements, and remain informed about changes in intensity. Utilize resources like Harris County Flood Maps to assess flood risk in your area and maintain an updated list of available hurricane shelters.
7. Evacuation Planning: If residing in storm surge-prone areas or receiving mandatory evacuation orders, evacuate promptly. Plan your route, ensure vehicle readiness, and pack essentials from your emergency kit to avoid traffic congestion and hazardous conditions.
8. Remain Indoors: If evacuation isn't required, designate a safe, windowless interior room on the lowest level of your home. Stock it with emergency supplies and seek shelter there throughout the storm, using heavy furniture or mattresses as shields against flying debris.
9. Inspect Your Home After the Storm: After assessing the damage to your home post-storm, it's essential to take swift and appropriate action to mitigate further harm and begin the recovery process. Start by addressing any immediate safety concerns, such as securing unstable structures or turning off utilities if necessary. If water damage is present, prioritize drying out affected areas to prevent mold growth and further structural deterioration. Remove standing water promptly and use fans, dehumidifiers, or professional drying equipment to expedite the drying process. Contact your insurance provider to report the damage and initiate the claims process. Keep detailed records of all communication, including photographs or videos of the damage, and maintain receipts for any expenses incurred during the cleanup and restoration efforts. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to enlist the help of qualified professionals like SERVPRO of Memorial West, NW Houston for thorough restoration and repair services. Their expertise and specialized equipment can help restore your home to its pre-storm condition efficiently and effectively, allowing you to return to normalcy as soon as possible.

Preparation, proactive measures, and awareness are essential for hurricane readiness. By adhering to these vital guidelines, you can ensure the safety of yourself, your loved ones, and your property. Remember, it's always better to be overly prepared than to be caught off guard by nature's forces. Stay safe, stay vigilant, and be prepared to weather the storm.