Things To Know When A Hurricane Approaches Texas: Evacuation Routes, Emergency Supplies

HOUSTON, TX — With Tropical Depression Harvey stewing in the Gulf of Mexico and gaining steam, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency for 30 Texas counties a couple of days before landfall.

Most of the Texas coast is already under a hurricane watch, including Galveston County, while several are under a Tropical Storm Watch, including Harris, Waller, Liberty, Montgomery and Fort Bend counties.

Now is the time to prepare for emergency supplies and potential evacuation should it be ordered by local authorities. Though Harvey is only a depression right now, it was only a tropical wave earlier today. Meteorologists expect Harvey to become at least a tropical storm or maybe a Category 1 hurricane by landfall on Friday or Saturday.

A Category 1 storm can have sustained winds that range from 74 to 95. These can be damaging to power lines, rooftops and trees. A Category 2 storm is 96-114 mph.

The greater Houston-Galveston area has several different major evacuation routes, with every major highway, interstate and loop heading west, north and east. There are four major highways — I-10 West, I-69 North, Hwy. 290 North and I-45 North where all traffic will flow in one direction.

If state or local officials order a mandatory evacuation, they advise to leave immediately and be sure your home is secure, and to take your pets with you. Unless you are physically unable to evacuate, they urge you to obey evacuation orders. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to get stuck in evacuation traffic. If you are elderly or disabled and need evacuation assistance, please call 2-1-1.

If you are an essential worker who needs to return to your homes early, or before officials deem it safe for reentry, be prepared to have a letter from your boss or employer. These could be city and county officials, emergency workers, and public utility workers.

If you believe you will not be evacuating during a hurricane, please prepare a survival kit.

According to ready.gov, every emergency preparedness kit should have the following items:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food (canned food, baby food, Granola bars, energy bars)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Other suggested items to have in your kit include:

• An emergency (reflector) vest
• Red Bandana (in case you need to signal for help)
• Pet supplies (leashes, pet food, medicines, kennel or crate)
• Medications for family members
• Eye drops
• Dry socks
• Cash
• Sleeping bags/blankets
• Writing supplies
• Books/Games
• Emergency Contact information/documents
• Fire extinguisher
• Waterproof matches/fire starter
• Insect repellant/sun screen

You can find a list of more items,and tips on being prepared at
Top image via Associated Press

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