This week is Hurricane Preparedness Week and Missouri City’s Office of Emergency Management is reminding residents to prepare emergency supply kits and gather copies of important documents before the storm season officially begins June 1.
John Sheffield, Missouri City’s Division of Emergency Management Chief, said being prepared is a key to surviving any natural disaster, including hurricanes.
“Having these supplies on hand will serve you and your families well, no matter what kind of weather hazard you may face this season,” Sheffield said. “Fort Bend County is designated by the state as a pass-through county for evacuees who live immediately along the Gulf Coast. It is imperative residents be prepared to shelter in place if a storm arrives, since Missouri City would not be under a mandatory evacuation if a hurricane were to hit this area.”
Recommended emergency supplies include:
- A three-day supply of non-perishable food, a manual can opener and one gallon of bottled water per person per day.
- Paper plates, plastic utensils and coolers for food and ice storage.
- Flashlights, a battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, extra batteries, extra keys and tools.
- Important documents and records, photo IDs, proof of residence and information to process insurance claims, all kept in a waterproof container that is easy to carry.
- Credit cards and cash (with power out, banks and ATMs may not be available).
- A first-aid kit, extra prescription medications, written copies of prescriptions, special medical items, eyeglasses and hearing aids.
- Toilet paper, clean-up supplies, personal hygiene products and special items for babies, the elderly and pets.
“If you cannot purchase all emergency supplies at once because of the current economic climate, consider buying supplies over a period of time and building up the supply kit throughout the season,” Sheffield said.
For tips on regional disaster preparedness, the City’s Office of Emergency Management recommends visiting these websites:
- www.texasprepares.org/ReadyOrNot
“Six months can seem like a long time, but it takes just one storm to do devastating damage,” Sheffield said. “Planning ahead is the key to handling any severe weather challenges we might face in Missouri City this hurricane season.”
By: John Pape on Wed, May 27, 2009
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