This document provides information and guidance on hurricane preparedness. It discusses hurricane basics like formation and intensity scales. It emphasizes the importance of having an emergency plan and kit ready before a storm arrives. Key preparedness steps include making arrangements for any medical needs, securing property, evacuating if necessary, and staying informed of official warnings and instructions. Being proactive in readiness activities can help reduce danger when hurricanes strike.

1. #Team Ready
Hurricane Preparedness
MHCIL
Mounting Horizons
Center for Independent Living
Galveston County

2. Are You Ready?...If
Not Get Ready!!!

3. Introduction
You never know when a disaster is going to
strike, so your best option is to try to be
prepared ahead of time. The more you are
prepared for a situation, the better it will be
for you and your family. It is always better to
be safe than to be sorry.

4. Hurricane Basics
• Hurricanes are among the most fiercest
forces on earth.
• They are a vast mass of clouds that form
in the tropics, and bring heat to the poles.
• These tropical cyclones bring high
winds, heavy rains, and dangerous tides
from the coast to areas farther inland.

5. Hurricane Basics Continued…
• Hurricanes can develop into very powerful storms if the
conditions in the atmosphere are right.
• Below are several key factors in hurricane development.
a) First, you need a spin—Tropical Disturbances develop
from the convergence of trade winds in the tropics. All
tropical systems must have some sort or rotation.
b) Warm water a must--Hurricanes are a vast heat engine
that need sea surface temperatures to be at least 80
degrees in order to grow and mature.
c) No shearing allowed—Unlike tornadoes, hurricanes are a
vertically stacked system that move from east to west.
Therefore, they must have high pressure and light winds
aloft.

6. Stages of Hurricane Development
• Hurricanes go through several different stages of
development before they reach hurricane status.
• Tropical Wave--Is the first step toward a hurricane.
They are areas of low pressure that lack a closed
center of circulation. About hundred of these
develop each year in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Tropical Depression--Develops when a tropical
wave develops a closed low level circulation, and
wind speeds in excess of 20 knots, or 25 mph.
• Tropical Storm—Develops when a tropical
depression has sustained wind speeds of 35
knots, or 39 mph.
• Hurricane—Develops when a tropical storm has
sustained wind speeds of 65 knots, or 74 mph.

7. The Saffir-Simpson Scale
Once a tropical system matures to a hurricane, it
can continue to strengthen to even greater
heights.
The stronger the hurricane, the more
catastrophic the damage can be upon landfall.
Below is the Saffir-Simpson Scale, which is used
to measure a hurricane’s intensity and potential
for damage.

8. The Effects of a Hurricane
• Hurricanes can bring a variety of effects. Some are
greater than the others.
• Below is a brief description of each.
• Rain—Probably the most underrated of all effects from a
tropical storm or hurricane. Amounts can be as high as
several feet.
• Wind—The next most devastating effect behind storm
surge, hurricanes can have winds up to and above 200
mph.
• Tornadoes—Many do not realize it, but hurricanes can
produce tornadoes upon landfall. The friction between
the storm and land produces a great deal of
instability, and thus, Tornadoes.
• Storm Surge—The most deadly effect from a
hurricane, this rising dome of water that accompanies
landfall accounts for about 90 percent of all hurricane
deaths.

9. Gulf of Mexico Hurricane Tracking Chart

10. Top Ten Safety Preparedness Tip
1. Create an Emergency Kit for your home and vehicle
2. Have enough food, water, and medical supplies to last 3 to 5 days
without aid from others
3. Keep a current list of the medications you are taking
4. Make a communication plan with family and friends in case you
are separated
5. Take pictures of your property before a storm and have a plan for
securing property with appropriate materials
6. Review your evacuation plan and routes with your family
7. Be familiar with alerts, warnings, and local emergency services
8. Learn the community emergency plans
9. Keep important documents, both personal and financial, in a
waterproof portable container or zip lock bag
10. Keep food, water, and medicines on hand for pets and make plans
to ensure their safe shelter and care

11. Preparedness- Make a Plan
• Food: Pack food that is ready-to-eat, needs no refrigeration, and
uses little water to prepare. Pack a manual can opener and
flatware.
• Drinking water: Store water in clean, airtight containers (at least
1 gallon/person/day). Clean your bathtub with bleach before filling
with water for bathing. Boil tap water until officials say it is
safe. Report broken water or sewer lines.
• Battery-operated radio: Listen for reports from local authorities.
• Medications: Have prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines,
essential toiletries, and mosquito repellent in a first aid kit.
Include spare eyeglasses, hearing aids, and batteries, if needed.
Write special needs on waterproof lists for family members.

12. Preparedness- Make a Plan Continued
• Clothing: Have at least two pairs of shoes.
• Communications plan: Choose an out-of-state contact for your family
to call if local phone lines do not work. Pick a meeting place away from
home in case your neighborhood is blocked.
• Pets: The Humane Society offers the tips below :
If you evacuate, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND.
 Note that many emergency shelters cannot accept pets.
 Keep the number of local animal shelters on your emergency info list.
 Securely fasten current ID tags to pet's collar with your contact info.
 Pack a Pet Survival Kit in advance
 If you must leave your pet, confine it to a safe area indoors; NEVER
leave your pet chained outside. Place notices to alert others that pets
are in the house. Leave your number or a contact’s as well as the
name and number of your vet.

13. Preparedness- Protect Your Property
• Early preparation will make securing your property faster
and less of a hassle. Throughout the year, take the
following steps to prepare:
 Store emergency supplies in the trunk of your car.
 Take pictures of your property.
 Remove diseased or damaged limbs and thin out branches to make
trees more wind resistant.
 Keep gutters clear of debris to allow water to flow off your house.
 Keep plywood and other supplies on hand to avoid last minute
shopping.
 If planning to use a portable generator, place in a well-ventilated
area and have working carbon monoxide detectors installed in the
house.
 Keep important documents in one place in a waterproof, portable
container.

14. Preparedness- Protect Your Property
Continued
• When a hurricane enters the Gulf, make the following last minute
preparations:
 Bring inside lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash
cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the
wind.
 Patch weak spots in doors, windows, and roofs.
 Cover all home windows. If you don’t have shutters, use precut
½-inch outdoor plywood. Install anchors for plywood and pre-drill
holes in plywood so you can put it up quickly. Tape will not keep
windows from breaking.
• If no one will ride out the storm at your house:
 Turn off water to your house at the city’s shut-off valve (usually in
the front yard).
 Turn off the main power supply to the house at the
circuit breaker.

15. Checklists

16. Overview
• Emergency Prep Kit • These are just some
• Preparedness Plan suggestions to get you
• Food & Drink thinking about what you
and your family may
• Medicine & need.
• Toiletries • Stock up now before
• Tools lines are long and
• Documents supplies are short
• Clothing & Bedding
• Entertainment
• Pets

17. Plans
Preparedness Plan
• Register individuals with special needs with your county’s
Emergency Management Office (211).
• Designate an out-of-state contact and share number with
family.
• Know your home’s vulnerability and decide if you will
evacuate or
shelter-in-place.
• Select a meeting place for your family in case you cannot get
into your neighborhood.
• Stock up on supplies for you, your family, and your pets.
• Make a list of prescriptions that you will need to refill prior to a
storm.
• Discuss plan with family and friends

18. Provisions
Food Drinks
• Tuna
• Honey • Bottled Water
• Ready-to-eat soup • Frozen Water bottles
• Canned Fruits
• Gatorade
• Nuts
• Granola Bars • Canned Juice
• Crackers • Canned/Powered Milk
• Cereal
• Peanut butter • Instant Coffee
• Bread
• Jelly
Have enough nonperishable foods to last
2 weeks. Store them in a waterproof box.
Avoid foods that are salty, dry, or high in
fat or protein as they increase thirst.

19. Medicine & Toiletries
• First Aid Kit • Baby Wipes
• Eye Drops • Toothbrush
• Prescription Medications • Toothpaste
• Common Pain Killers • Deodorant
• Bug Repellent • Mouthwash
• Glasses/Contacts • Hairbrush
• Contact lens • Feminine Hygiene Items
solution/case • Razor/Shaving cream
• Antibacterial wipes • Soap/Shampoo
• Baby powder
• Hand Sanitizer

20. Tools
• Flashlight • Fire Extinguisher
• Batteries • Charcoal/Lighter Fluid
• Battery- operated • Grill
radio or TV • Plastic Trash bags
• Matches in waterproof • Hammer and nails
container • Cleaning Supplies
• Thermos and coolers • Propane Tanks
• Manual can opener • Tarps
• Gas can • Duct Tape
• Generator • Tree Saw
• Chaffing fuel
• Hand Tools

21. Documents
Important Papers
• Important Telephone numbers • Cash and traveler’s check
• Bank account numbers • Phone cards
• Family records • List of Allergies for each family
(birth, marriage, and death member
certificates)
• List of special needs for each
• Inventory of valuable family member
household goods
• Evacuation map
• Photos of home prior to storm
• Passports, social security
• Copy of will, insurance cards, and immunization
policy, deeds, stocks, and records
bonds.
Keep these items in a
• Credit Card account numbers
waterproof containers or in
plastic bags.

22. Clothing & Bedding
 Clothing  Bedding
• Rain Gear • Blankets
• Sturdy Shoes • Sleeping Bags
• Gloves for cleaning up • Pillows
• At least one complete
change of clothes and
shoes per person
• Long-sleeve, loose shirts

23. Entertainment
Distraction
• Board Games
• Books
• Crayons & paper
• Playing cards
• Toys
• Instruments

24. Pets
Pet Survival Kit
• Food, water, and
medicine for 5 days
• Veterinary records
• Carriers, blanket or
bed, and toys
• Litter box and litter
• Leash
• Current photo with
physical description and
info on allergies/illnesses

25. Planning For a Hurricane Video
The smartest thing to do when a
hurricane is in the Gulf of Mexico is to
monitor TV and radio broadcasts and
to listen to instructions from local
officials.
Hurricanes may take several days to
arrive. Go over your evacuation plans
with your family before the storm.
Make sure you have road maps and
you know the evacuation routes.
When a storm is in the Gulf, fill your
gas tank and keep it full. Make sure
your emergency supply kit is ready to
go.
Your emergency preparedness kit
should include: radio, flashlight, extra
batteries, cash and credit cards, copies
of prescriptions, copies of insurance
information, bottled water and non-
perishable food.
Hurricanes are dangerous and
unpredictable. Plan for the storm to be
worse than predicted.

26. Evacuation and Special Needs
If you or family members have special
needs -- leave before a mandatory
evacuation
When a hurricane threatens, make special
plans for babies – the elderly – and medically
fragile family members.
It will take much longer to travel during a
mandatory evacuation. Make travel easier on
them by leaving early.
If you are traveling with babies, the elderly or
family members with special health care
needs -- remember the special supplies and
equipment that they will need for several
days.
If you yourself have any special health care
needs – and you can travel on your own --
it’s a good idea to leave ahead of the crowd.
If you depend on special medical
equipment, you may also want to leave
before a mandatory evacuation.
Make sure you’ve got special medical
supplies and equipment in your emergency
kit.

27. Emergency Supplies
Supplies in your emergency kit
Your supplies should include:
• Credit cards, cash and road maps. Battery-
operated radio, flashlight, extra batteries, extra
keys, tools, NOAA weather radio.
• First-aid kit, extra prescription
medications, written copies of
prescriptions, special medical
items, eyeglasses, hearing aids and batteries.
• Three-day supply of non-perishable food, one
gallon of bottled water per person per day, coolers
for food and ice storage, paper plates, plastic
utensils, manual can opener.
• Toilet paper, cleanup supplies, personal hygiene
products.
• Special items and equipment for babies, the
elderly, medically fragile individuals and pets.
• Copies of important documents and
records, photo IDs, driver license, proof of
residence, account numbers, information for
insurance claims.
• Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags and extra

28. Your Property Before The Storm
Plan to take care of your property before you
face a storm
Make plans for taking care of your property
BEFORE you face any kind of storm threat.
Track your vulnerability to flooding from hurricanes
by checking floodplain maps. As construction
increases in your area, floodplains can change.
Check your insurance coverage. Most homeowner
insurance policies do not cover flood damage.
Learn about the National Flood Insurance Program.
Find out if your home meets current building code
requirements for high winds. Structures built to
meet or exceed current building code high-wind
provisions have a better chance of surviving violent
storms.
Protect all windows by installing commercial
shutters or preparing 5/8 inch plywood panels.
Garage doors can be the first thing in a home to fail.
Reinforce garage doors to withstand high winds.
Before hurricane season, trim dead wood and weak
branches from trees. Trim overhanging branches
from all trees. Any dead tree near a home is a
hazard.

29. Evacuation Checklist
Keep this checklist of tasks to do before you
evacuate
When a hurricane threatens your area, evacuating
is the smartest move. Make your evacuation plans
in advance. Keep this checklist of important tasks –
and review it before you leave.
Put up shutters or plywood on all windows and
openings. Winds are stronger at higher
elevations, and high-rise apartments or condos.
Move patio furniture, hanging plants and gas grills
inside.
If your home is vulnerable to rising water, move
valuables and furniture to a higher level. Put
valuable documents in air-tight plastic containers
that are easy to carry during an evacuation.
Turn off electricity at the main circuit breaker or fuse
box to protect appliances from power surges. This
will reduce the risk of live dangling wires after the
storm.
If the house is supplied with natural or propane
gas, check in advance with your gas company on
what to do.
Make a final walk-through inspection of the home
before closing the door and beginning your
evacuation.

30. Resources

31. Hurricane Evacuation Plan by Zip Code

32. Hurricane Evacuation Plan Continued…
• The zip code zones are labeled Zip Zone Coastal, Zip Zone A, Zip Zone B
and Zip Zone C.
• Zip Zone Coastal encompasses the zip codes utilized on Galveston
Island, Bolivar Peninsula, and portions of coastal Brazoria County including
Freeport and Surfside. This is the most threatened geographic area and
residents of these zip codes will evacuate first when a hurricane
approaches.
• Zip Zone A includes zip codes for nearly all of mainland Galveston
County, eastern Brazoria County, and the communities along Clear Creek in
southern Harris County.
• Zip Zone B includes zip codes for eastern and southern Harris
County, northwestern Galveston County and central Brazoria County.
• Zip Zone C – the last region to evacuate under the new plan – includes
eastern Harris County, portions of Houston, and most of northern Brazoria
County.

33. Evacuation Route Information
• The primary evacuation routes for Galveston County are Interstate
45, Highway 146, Highway 6 and Highway 124. Galveston Island
and mainland.
• Galveston County residents should use I-45, Hwy. 146 and Hwy. 6
to evacuate the area. Residents of Bolivar Peninsula should
evacuate via Highway 87 to Highway 124 through Chambers
County.
• The State of Texas will provide wrecker assistance and comfort
stations with emergency food, ice and fuel along I-45, I-10, U.S.
290, and Highway 59. These services may not be available to
evacuees who choose routes other than the primary evacuation
routes, such as Farm-to-Market roads.

34. Galveston County Evacuation
Information
Galveston County and several municipalities in the
County have contracted with local school districts
to obtain buses for evacuation purposes. The
primary school district with this capability is the
Clear Creek Independent School District. In the
event buses are not available from the state of
Texas (for example, when a fast-forming storm
does not allow enough lead time), Galveston
County may activate its bus transportation plan with
CCISD. Copies of the CCISD bus agreement are
available from GCOEM.

35. EVACUATION OF CITIZENS WITH
MEDICAL & FUNCTIONAL NEEDS
• The State of Texas 2-1-1 Registry offers Texans an opportunity to
register in advance for medical/functional-needs assistance. Local
jurisdictions receive this confidential data via email and are responsible
for adding this information to their databases. The data base is not a
promise of transportation. The State data-entry process will typically
shut down approximately 24 hours prior to landfall, with calls then
routed to 911.
• Galveston County and the City of Galveston contract with the City of
Austin for shelter space for medical and functional needs individuals.
Copies of these agreements are available from the City or the County.
Each city in Galveston County has specific responsibilities related to
the evacuation of medical/functional needs residents to Austin.

36. Citizens in Need of Transportation
• Citizens who need transportation out of Galveston County will be
advised to go to a pickup point in their community, or directly to one
of the two evacuation (departure) points in the County.
• In many cases, citizens will have no means of transport to their
pickup point or evacuation point. The Cities and County will use their
own transportation resources (cars, buses, vans, etc.) and
personnel (police, fire, etc.) to transport these individuals to the
appropriate locations.
• Each City and the County will advise residents of luggage
restrictions and pet requirements. It is the policy of Galveston
County and its cities to accommodate service animals as well as
family pets. However each City and the County reserve the right to
deny passage for animals that are not restrained and/or deemed a
threat to evacuees.

37. SANTA FE HIGH SCHOOL FIRST
RESPONDER SHELTER
• Under an agreement signed by the Santa Fe
Independent School District (SFISD), Galveston
County and local jurisdictions in 2011, SFISD will allow
use of portions of Santa Fe High School and parking
lots to house first-responders and store equipment
prior to landfall. Galveston County is installing a large
generator at the school and will provide meals for first-
responders through a separate contract. The school
will be vacated as soon as feasible after the storm
passes, or when SFISD resumes classes. Signatories
to the agreement will not allow the possession or use
of drugs or alcohol, or harbor pets, while on school
property.

38. PUBLIC ASSEMBLY POINTS (FOR
TRANSPORT TO EMBARKATION HUBS)
The following pickup points have been designated for individuals who need
transportation out of Galveston County when a mandatory evacuation is
coming up. The Cities and County may revise or eliminate these locations
based on circumstances at the time of evacuation.
• Cities will be responsible for transporting mainland
residents from city pickup points to one of the two
embarkation hubs: the Charles T. Doyle Convention
Center, 2010 5th Ave. N. in Texas City. Island residents will
be directed to use Island Transit to reach the Island
Community Center, 4700 Broadway in Galveston. The
Galveston County Parks & Senior Services Department will
assist with pickup of citizens at unincorporated county
pickup points.

39. PUBLIC ASSEMBLY POINTS Continued…
a. Bayou Vista/Freddiesville, a. Hitchcock: Hitchcock Public
Library, 8005 Barry Ave.
b. Bolivar Peninsula b. Crystal Beach County Annex, 946
Noble Carl Road, Crystal Beach
c. Clear Lake
c. Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center, 300 W.
Shores, Kemah, League Walker St., League City
City d. McAdams Junior High
School, 4007 Video St., Dickinson
d. Dickinson e. Dickinson Community Center, 2714
e. Dickinson (unincorporated) Hwy. 3, Dickinson
f. Friendswood Library, 416 S.
f. Friendswood Friendswood Drive, Friendswood
g. Galveston, Jamaica Beach g. Island Community Center, 4700
Broadway Ave., Galveston
h. San Leon-Bacliff h. Bacliff Community Center, 4500
i. Santa Fe 10th St., Bacliff
i. Santa Fe Junior High School, 4200
j. Texas City, La Marque, Tiki Warpath Ave., Santa Fe
Island j. Doyle Convention Center, 2010 5th
Ave. N., Texas City

40. MEDICAL TRIAGE AT EMBARKATION
POINTS
• Triage at the embarkation points will be provided by a
team deployed by the Texas Department of State Health
Services. Individuals who present at the Island
Community Center or Doyle Center with major medical
issues will be transported to a state medical shelter in
San Antonio. Individuals who board a bus to Austin and
develop medical problems en route will be directed to a
medical shelter in Austin.

41. Questions???

42. “ I am not afraid of
storms, for I am learning
how to sail my ship”
~Louisa May Alcott
Advocate of the disabled community

43. Contact #Team Ready for More
Information
501 Gulf Freeway Suite #104
League City, Texas 77573
Main: (281) 984- 1955
Fax: (713) 510- 8756
Email: info@mhcil.org
www.mhcil.org