Hurricane season is here, get prepared with the new ReadyHarris app!
The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) says that most Texans along the coast have learned to take hurricanes seriously and prepare ahead of time; however, some of the more than a million people that have moved into our area more recently, may not understand how tropical weather systems can affect their communities.
This is why HCOHSEM works year-round to remind everyone that it is imperative to prepare and stay informed. Because cell phones and mobile devices are a major part of our lives and an essential part of how emergency responders and survivors get information during disasters, HCOHSEM recently launched a new mobile app, ReadyHarris, just in time for hurricane season.
The ReadyHarris app delivers real-time weather and emergency alerts, hosts a step-by-step guide to building a personalized family disaster plan, offers survival tip sheets, maps evacuation routes and locates local emergency services. The app can be downloaded for free from iTunes and Google Play as ReadyHarris, and is available in both English and Spanish.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a near-normal hurricane season, 10 to 16 named storms, four to eight hurricanes and one to four major hurricanes. But the number of storms does not particularly matter, because it only takes one to devastate a community.
The last hurricane to make landfall in Texas and affect our region, was Ike in 2008. Last year, Tropical Storm Bill rapidly developed in the Gulf and caused widespread flooding across East Texas. This year, floods have devastated Harris and surrounding counties reminding us that severe weather remains the biggest and most common threat.
HCOHSEM urges residents to prepare ahead of disaster. Build an emergency kit that suits your needs. Have food, water and medicine for at least a week. A first aid kit, flashlight, batteries, sanitation supplies, cash, and a battery powered radio are essential. If you have pets, prepare an emergency kit for them as well, and a have a plan on how to care for them when you are on the road or staying at shelter or motel.
If you live in an area that is threatened by storm surge or in an evacuation zone, please discuss evacuation plans with your family and do not stay if you are asked to leave. Ask your city or county officials if your home is located in an evacuation zone or check the Zip Zone Evacuation Map.
If you do not live in an evacuation zone, shelter at home until the storm passes. You will be safer at home than exposed to hazardous weather and dangerous road conditions. You will also help keep the roads clear for emergency workers and people evacuating from storm surge areas. You can always leave after the storm passes and local authorities say it is safe to do so.
If you or someone you know might need assistance during a disaster, please register for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR), a free registry that provides local emergency planners and responders with additional information about needs in their communities. To register, contact 2-1-1 Texas, the state’s free 24-hour helpline.
Don’t forget to check your insurance coverage. Hurricanes can cause flooding, the most frequent and costly disaster in the United States. Damages caused by flooding are not covered under normal homeowner’s insurance policies. Visit www.floodsmart.gov to assess your risks and get an estimate for flood insurance for your home.
Stay informed by following HCOHSEM on Facebook and Twitter, and by signing up for emergency alerts at www.readyharris.org.
Hurricane season officially runs from June 1st through November 30th.
Posted by on 20 Jun 2016