Reminder...The height of the hurricane season in Texas is August and September....what you need to make sure you are prepared.

 Hurricane season runs from June 1-November 30 in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. The height of the season is August and September, because that's when the ocean and gulf water temperature is highest. There's no way of knowing how many storms there will be each year. The National Hurricane Center can make predictions, but it's really just an educated guess. Some are bad, some aren't AS bad. Every one is different. Make sure you are prepared, you will not have time and their might not be enough supplies left should you wait until the last minute. We all hope and pray that it won't happen, we still remember Hurricane Ike, but we just don't know. Better to be safe than sorry.


(1) Stock up on non-perishable foods, drinking water,batteries, diapers & formula for infants & pet food for animals.

(2) Know your evacuation route, where you would go & how you would get there.

(3) If you're disabled or have transportation problems, see "IMPORTANT" infoformation below.

(4) Create an emergency communication list in case you are separated from family & friends. Include home, work, school & cell numbers & exchange lists with family, friends & neighbors. Also, designate a contact person who lives outside the area for everyone to reach in case of evacuation.

(5) Keep cash on hand. Banks may close & ATMs may be inoperable during a storm.

(6) Make sure you have enough prescription medications to outlast a storm & it's aftermath. Refill your first-aid kit.

(7) Decide where to take pets, boats & travel trailers if you can not take them with you.

(8) Pets are not allowed in many public shelters. Keep a list of "pet-friendly" places---hotels/motels, friends, boarding places or vets---and phone #'s.

(9) Check all battery operated equipment. Emergency cooking facilities & lights will be essential if utilities are interrupted.

(10) Charge up or check camera batteries. You may ned to take photos of storm damage.

(11) Take inventory of your valuables & home. Make a videotape, take photos or keep a written log.

(12) Double-check your insurance coverage for:
(A) Hurricane coverage---if you want it, you need to get it now because you can not get it once a storm enters the gulf. 
(B) Flood insurance---If your insurance company doesn't offer it, the federal government does, but it will not go into effect until 30 days after you've paid for it.

IMPORTANT: If you have special needs:
If you are physically or mentally disabled, dependent on special medical equipment, have transportation needs or are faced with some other circumstance that will make hurricane evacuation difficult, you can pre-register with the City of Houston's Office of Emergency Management. Registration is free and voluntary & wil enable emergency providers to reach those who need help. To pre-register, log on to: http//mycity.houston.txgov/oemtar/ 
and fill out the form or call 211 from anywhere in the state of Texas.


We hope this was helpful! Remember...be prepared! Feel free to pass this on to your family and friends.
David
www.davidthelocator.com