Southeast Texas is no stranger to strong weather, and 2024 is shaping up to be an active weather year.
While some storm-related injuries and emergencies are unavoidable, there are a lot of precautionary steps residents should take to reduce their risk of encountering one.
Assistant Chief Michael Clements with Cy-Fair Fire Department shared how a little preparation can go a long way.
Clements divided the basic safety tips into three categories: how to prepare before, during and after a storm.
You can watch his full interview above.
Before a Storm:
- Trim bushes and trees so they won’t fall on power lines or damage your home.
- Prepare your home to withstand wind and debris. Gather plywood & tarps in advance. If your home is damaged, plywood is preferred, but tarps are an easy item to keep on hand to cover up openings in your home.
- Gather up a three-day supply of nonperishable food and water. Also, make sure you have flashlights, batteries, first aid materials, portable battery chargers, etc.
- Remember your meds. Have an ample supply of your prescription and OTC medication on hand. Pharmacies will also be out of power and unable to fulfill your prescription. If possible, have a 90-day supply or use a mail-order-based pharmacy that is not affected by local storms.
- Know where to access emergency information about storm warnings, evacuations, and community shelters.
- Locate insurance policies so they are readily available. You need to know what to do if your car, home, or property is damaged, or if you encounter flooding.
Anticipate Power Outages:
- Charge what needs charging ahead of time. Besides the obvious three days of food and water, don’t forget portable battery chargers for your phones. If you MUST charge in your car, make sure the garage door is open and you back the car OUT of the garage.
- Figure out, in advance, how to safely operate a generator. Be sure to set it up in an open environment, NOT an enclosed one.
- If you are dependent on powered medical equipment, have a backup plan. First, we recommend you immediately get out of the impact area. But if you stay, you need a plan for an outage. Think about O2 concentrators, ventilators, and CPAP machines. How will you keep these running in a power outage? If you do not have a backup generator, plan on having three days of power supply for your equipment. If you are on O2, Have several portable O2 cylinders in reserves.
- Make a list of friends or family you can stay with, or find a local evacuation station where you can power up.
- If you leave your home, take your equipment and power cords. These types of equipment run short at hospitals and ERs during a storm.
Preparing for a Flood:
- Flooding will happen. They don’t call Houston the Bayou City for no reason. We live in a low-lying coastal town that is much different than living on the East or West Coast. Tropical storms, which we have here, are different than other storm types. We also have people coming to Houston from all over who may not be weather savvy. Newcomers need to be prepared.
- HELPFUL HINT: The State of Texas and the Texas Department of Emergency Management have individual and family resources on their website.
- Prepare a Go Pack. Every home needs a go-pack that will sustain them for 72 hours in case of flooding and hurricanes. You may be asked to evacuate or shelter in place. Be prepared for both. You can find a checklist of these kits on the Cy-Fair Fire Department’s website.
- Watch the interview above to see how to build
- Have backup power and a weather radio. Follow Ready Houston and KPRC 2′s Storm Tracker to stay up to date on storms.
During the Storm:
- Stay safe. The safest place in the home is an interior room. Stay away from windows and anything glass. This could be a center hallway, bathroom, or closet. For added protection, get under something sturdy such as a heavy table or workbench.
- Calling 911 during a storm. If there is a medical emergency, call 911. However, during a weather event be aware that non-life-threatening calls may be triaged and it could take longer than usual for help to arrive. Also, know that there are situations where it is not safe for any of our vehicles to be on the road and our units are asked to stay at the stations.
After the Storm:
- Assess the damage. After you are sure the severe weather threat has ended, check your property for damages. When walking through storm damage, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes. Stay out of damaged buildings and watch for limbs or trees that may fall.
- Be vigilant and pay attention when it comes to flooding. For example, assume that underwater debris is in the roadways and unexpected areas.
- Never drive through a flooded roadway. Turn around, don’t drown!
- Assume all downed power lines are energized and dangerous. Stay at least 30 feet away and call 911 immediately. NEVER approach, touch or drive over a downed line. Warn others to stay away as well.
- Avoid using candles due to the risk of fires. Use battery-powered lights and flashlights instead.
- Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators, grills, and camp stoves outdoors and in heavily ventilated areas.
- Don’t risk eating spoiled food, it can make you very sick. Throw out food that got wet or warm. When in doubt, throw it out!