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It’s no secret that the Houston area has some of the heaviest rain in the country during the spring and hurricane season. This article will outline the best preparedness tips for Houston area residents, as well as discuss some of the resources available to residents on a county level.
Preparing the Home
Residence preparing their home is just as important as creating an emergency kit. Residents should check trash services pick up days to ensure they are picking up prior to storms and no cancellations are occurring. If there are cancellations, do not put trash out as this can cause floating debris later during heavy rains and flooding. If residents have bulk trash or garbage, they should store it until trash services resume.
Making an Emergency Kit
This list is intended to help people survive 24-72 hours in an evacuation or shelter in place situation.
Evacuation Kit
- Your shelter-in-place kit should contain:
- Copies of your important papers.
- Extra set of car and house keys.
- Phone charger
- Bottled water and snacks such as energy or granola bars.
- First-aid supplies and a flashlight.
- Battery-powered radio
- A list of the medications each member of your family needs and at least a 14-day supply of each medication.
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes, wet cleansing wipes, and so on.
- Contact and meeting place information for your family and a map of your local area.
- Rain ponchos.
- Power brick, battery pack or solar charger.
Shelter in Place Kit
- Water (one gallon per person per day, for drinking and sanitation—up to a 7-day supply).
- Non-perishable food (up to a 7-day supply per person).
- Battery-powered radio.
- Flashlight and extra batteries.
- First-aid supplies.
- Whistle to signal for help.
- Filter mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air.
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, soap, disinfectant.
- Can opener
- Plastic tarps for emergency roof repair.
- Items for unique family needs, such as daily prescription medications, infant formula, or diapers.
- Plates and cutlery
- Cash
- Paper towels.
- Fire extinguisher.
- Matches in a waterproof container.
- Rain gear, sturdy shoes, long pants, and gloves.
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, birth certificates, passports, and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
County Resources
Harris County Flood Warning System allows Houston area residents to see the flooding in real time. You can also see neighboring counties such as Fort Bend County, Waller County, and many others within the tool. Create an account here and sign up for text and email alerts about flooding in your area.
Houston Transtar allows Houston area residents to see which major roads are flooded in the area. Remember “Turn around, Don’t drown!” If you see a flooded road, never take the chance. It’s better to turn around and stay safe.
ReadyHarris is a resource designed for disaster preparedness of any kind. Houston area residents can find many resources here for a wide range of disaster situations. From flooding, to hurricanes, and tornado warnings, ReadyHarris has a wide array of resources to prepare residents for any situation.