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The key thing about hurricane season is to be ever vigilant and ready. Local and state authorities gather together to get updates on the season and to assure all systems are in place in the event of a disaster.
Video: KPRC 2 News
Pat Hernandez, KUHF Public Radio
Regional officials gather for hurricane season briefing
With Tropical Storm Chantal racing toward the eastern Caribbean, it’s a reminder to emergency managers in southeast Texas that the busy part of the hurricane season is almost here. Those leaders got together for an emergency preparedness “tune-up” that could come in handy later in the summer.
It may seem redundant, staying ready during hurricane season six months out of the year, but for anyone living near the Gulf of Mexico, it is a way of life. Nim Kidd is chief of the Texas division of emergency management, and assistant director of the Texas Department of Public Safety. He was part of the conference at Reliant Center, that included emergency managers from all over Southeast Texas.
“Tou have seasoned veterans that have dealt with planning, training, exercising, responding and recovering from storms and disasters. I would merge to say the best leaders in the nation in doing this, are right here in the in the Harris-Galveston area.”
Matt Webber, mayor of Shore Acres north of Kemah, says his city is still recovering from the devastation left from Ike five years ago.
“We did sustain significant damage, a lot of homes had water in them. The roadways, we had a lot of debris that washed up into people’s yards and such, and the challenge there was not only getting our population and the homes back in order, but all the infrastructure that supported it. But fortunately, the city of Shore Acres and their population are a resilient bunch.”
Mark Sloan, coordinator for the Harris County Office of Emergency Management, says this is not the time of season to be complacent.
(Read & listen to more of this story at KUHF Public Radio)
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NATION & WORLD:
- Cleveland Kidnap Victims Berry, DeJesus and Knight Release Thank-You Video (ABC News)
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