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Video: Galveston Gets Ready for
Hurricane Season
KHOU 11 News
Pat Hernandez, KUHF Public Radio
It’s estimated close to a million new residents have arrived in the Greater Houston area since Hurricane Ike slammed Southeast Texas in 2008. With the start of hurricane season just a few days away, local emergency officials say for the newcomers and everyone else, right now is the time to be putting the finishing touches on a personal hurricane plan.
People living near coastal areas know that now is the time to get ready for hurricane season — which officially starts on Saturday and lasts six months. But for new residents who’ve never experienced a major storm, it’s a matter of getting them in that hurricane mindset.
Francisco Sanchez is with the Harris County Office of Emergency Management.
“I think that if you looked in your pantry right now, you would probably have enough supplies to last you for a week. It’s important that you be able to look around your home, see what you need to be able to sustain yourself for seven days. You’ll find if you take a good look around your home, that a lot of that is already there, but having an awareness of it, knowing what you might need to go out and replenish those supplies now is very important.”
It’s important to include a first aid kit, one that you can buy or build yourself. Sanchez says for the most part, people are aware of the essentials: food, water, medicine, flashlight & batteries, but you might overlook some things that could make the disruption much more comfortable like insect repellent, and …
“Sunscreen is also important. Things get wet during a hurricane so, big plastic bags are also important to take, so either trash bags or big zip-lock bags. Even if you’re evacuating, those things are a nice comfort. If you’re evacuating, take your favorite pillow and your favorite blanket. Some of the things like that, that will make your 
evacuation or your shelter in place more comfortable and more bearable, also it’s important not to forget.”
Make sure to create a disaster plan with your family. Know your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind. If you have pets, make a plan for them if you need to evacuate.
(Read and listen to more of this story at KUHF Public Radio)
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