Office of Emergency ManagementOffice of Emergency Management

Galveston County

 

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Hurricane Preparedness Week Proclamation

STATE OF TEXAS – OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Hurricanes are powerful and destructive forces that pose a serious threat to the lives and property of Texas citizens. The Texas coastline and inland communities are at a greater risk of hurricanes during a six month period that runs from June through November. As a result, we must remain vigilant during hurricane season and stay aware of the potential for severe weather that can accompany tropical systems.

While Texas has experienced several other major disasters in recent years, this September will mark the 50 year anniversary of Hurricane Beulah striking the Rio Grande Valley and claiming 58 lives. I caution citizens not to become complacent. When hurricanes do occur, they can produce heavy winds, storm surges, torrential rains, inland flooding and tornadoes. It is important that all Texans, particularly Gulf Coast residents, be aware of the hazards hurricanes present.

The population of our coastal communities continues to grow. Many residents have never experienced the direct impact of a major hurricane and may be unfamiliar with the need for planning and preparation . Texans should understand the difference between a hurricane watch and hurricane warning. Families should develop, review and practice their emergency preparedness plans. Each plan should include a communications plan, pet plan and designated evacuation routes. Additionally, a “readiness kit” of important supplies should be assembled and should include a NOAA weather radio, a three-day supply of non­ perishable food and water for each person, a first aid kit, medications, flashlights and extra batteries.

At this time, I encourage all Texans to remain mindful of the dangers presented by hurricanes, to stay informed about current threats and to take steps toward preparedness. Together, we are ready!

Therefore, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby proclaim May 7-13,2017, to be Hurricane Preparedness Week.

Hurricane Guide 2017

The Hurricane Guide is designed to help you prepare for the 2017 hurricane season. There are checklists on what to do before, during and after the storm. Also included are maps showing evacuation zones and routes, a hurricane tracking chart, names that will be used for upcoming storms, and web links for weather and emergency information.

For a copy of the guide please click: Hurricane Guide

Functional Access Needs

Texas National Guard - Water and MREs

Call 2-1-1 If You Need a Ride

If you are a Texan who lives in an evacuation zone and you require access and functional needs assistance to evacuate during a storm – including the elderly, people with disabilities, or those who simply will need a ride – call 2-1-1 to register for a ride. Information can be provided in almost any language including Spanish. Assistance also available for emergencies, food, housing and shelter, education, legal, childcare, physical and mental health, financial assistance, and transportation.

Operators have been specially trained to take your basic, confidential information so that you can get to safety when a storm threatens the coast. Register well in advance of a storm by calling 2-1-1 (in Texas), or 1-877-541-7905 TODAY.

After a storm Register for Disaster Assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Register for aid to help FEMA direct the necessary resources to you and your area.

1-800-621-3362

TTY1-800 462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired

Tips for Texans with Access and Functional Needs

Create a support network by making a list of family, friends, co-workers, personal attendants, service providers and others who can be part of your emergency plan. Choose at least three people in each location where you spend time, such as home, school and your workplace.

Work with your support network to create a personal emergency plan not only for hurricanes but for all hazards that can impact your community, from a neighborhood fire to a major disaster of any kind. You should have a different plan for places you spend time regularly: home, work or school. Remember to include strategies you already use to deal with power outages, or transportation delays or breakdowns.

Learn about emergency exits in your school or office building and be sure you have at least two ways to get out of your home in an emergency. Discuss emergency exits and plans with officials in your school or workplace.

If local officials call for a hurricane evacuation, consider whether you want to shelter with friends and family, and how that would work for you. Also consider how a shelter designated for the public would meet your needs.

Make sure you and members of your support network have a list of contact information for everyone in the network, along with names of your doctors and other service care providers.

Make sure you have alternate ways to communicate if phones are not working (such as an assigned meeting place, use of pagers, e-mail or other technology that does not depend on phone lines). In case telephones and cell towers are not operational, you may want to make a list of contact information on paper that you normally store in electronic devices.

For individuals who use relay services, there are several options: dialing 7-1-1 (nationwide – landline), captioned telephone (CapTel), Internet-enabled relay service (Internet Relay and Video Relay Service – Internet). Individuals who have wireless notebooks, pagers or PDA can call Internet Relay Services.

Ask yourself what resources you rely on regularly and determine how a hurricane, electric power outages, lack of air conditioning or refrigeration might affect your access and ability to use them. This checklist can help.

Do you use communication devices?

  • Do you depend on accessible transportation to get to school, work, medical, appointments or to other places in your community?
  • Do you receive medical treatments (e.g. dialysis) or self-administer treatments such as glucose testing and insulin shots on a regular basis?
  • Do your medications need refrigeration?
  • Do you need assistance with personal care?
  • Do you rely on equipment depending electricity or other special medical equipment?
  • Do you use mobility or daily living aids such as a walker, cane, wheelchair, scooter, bath safety or other bathroom products, dressing aids, drinking straws, etc.?
  • If you have a service animal, do you know the plans in your city and state regarding service animals? Do you know what you will need to bring with your service animal— such as food and feeding bowls, identification tags, veterinary contact information, and proof of vaccinations.

In addition to a basic emergency kit, you may need the following items in your emergency kit:

Medical equipment and assistive devices (glasses, hearing aid, catheters, augmentative communication devices, cane, wheelchair, scooter, walker, dressing aids, oxygen, tubing, feeding supplies, drinking straws, etc.) Label each with your name and contact information. Be sure to have extra batteries and chargers

  • List of model numbers or serial numbers of medical devices and equipment
  • Medical alert tags or bracelets and written description of your disability-related or health care conditions
  • Medications and copies of all prescriptions, including a list of the prescription name, dosage, frequency, doctor and pharmacist. Also consider if medications need to be refrigerated and if so, bring a cooler with an ice pack or other coolant system
  • Special hygiene supplies such as absorbent pads
  • Phone numbers and names of your physicians or other health care providers
  • Supplies for a service animal including food, identification tags, proof of up-to-date vaccinations and veterinarian contact

Helpful Links

Hurricane Info

Hurricanes are tropical cyclonic storms that form over warm water and when they move ashore can do considerable damage and disrupts people’s lives for very long periods of time.

Hurricane season is rapidly approaching and emergency management officials in Galveston County urge you to take all necessary steps to prepare and stay informed.