Eye of the Storm

Are You Ready?
The Eye of the Storm
A Texas Hurricane Survival Guide

     Hurricanes are powerful storms and have immense potential for loss of life and property. Tropical storms and tropical depressions, while generally less dangerous than hurricanes, still can be deadly, particularly from the heavy rains, flooding and tornadoes that accompany them. All three are tropical cyclones — organized rotating weather systems that develop in the tropics. Every Texan living along our coast needs to be prepared for these storms.

     The tips in this publication are designed to help residents stay safe before, during and after a major storm and to take steps to minimize the damage caused by the storm and its aftermath.

     Tropical Disturbance: A moving area of thunderstorms of tropical origin that maintains its identity for 24 hours or more.
     Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 38 mph or less.
     Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 39-73 mph.
     Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 74 mph or more.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

     The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on the hurricane’s present intensity. It is used to estimate the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall. The higher the number, the more intense the storm. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for loss of life and property damage. Category 1 and 2 storms are still very dangerous and warrant preventative measures.

Scale Number (Category)	Sustained Winds (mph)	Storm Surge
1	74-95	4-5 feet above normal
Damage: Minimal — Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees, foliage and unanchored mobile homes. Minor pier damage; no real damage to other structures. Some coastal road flooding.
2	96-110	6-8 feet above normal
Damage: Moderate — Some roofing material, door and window damage to buildings. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of the hurricane center.
3	111-130	9-12 feet above normal
Damage: Extensive — Mobile homes destroyed and large trees blown down. Some structural damage to roofs of buildings and some structural damage to small buildings. Low-lying escape routes may be cut off by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures, with larger structures damaged by battering from floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 feet above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences within several blocks of the shoreline may be required.
4	131-155	13-18 feet above normal
Damage: Extreme — Trees blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to roofs, windows and doors, with complete failure of roofs on many small residences. Low-lying escape routes may be cut off by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain lower than 10 feet above sea level may be flooded, requiring mass evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles.
5	greater than 155	more than 18 feet above normal
Damage: Catastrophic — Complete failure of roofs on many residences and industrial buildings. Extensive damage to windows and doors. Some complete building failure with small utility buildings blown over or away. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Low-lying escape routes may be cut off by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Mass evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles of the shoreline may be required.

Before the storm:

Hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico is from June 1 through November 30, although major storms have been known to form earlier and later. Coastal Texans should be prepared before the first storm forms.

• Know the elevation of your home above sea level. This information is available from local Emergency Management officials. Your nearest Weather Service office can also supply flood-stage data for area streams and bayous and information about the potential for inland flooding and storm surge.
• Plan to relocate during a hurricane if you live near the seashore, near a river or flood plain, in a mobile or manufactured home, or in a high-rise.
• Plan your escape route early. Learn the evacuation routes from your portion of the coast. Decide where you will go, and tell your plans to family members or friends who live outside the hurricane zone. Evacuation route maps are available at http://www.texasonline.com/portal/tol/en/emergency/evacuating.
• If you live in an evacuation zone and you require special assistance to evacuate during a storm — including the elderly, people with disabilities, or those who simply will need a ride — call 2-1-1 to register for a ride. Tell them if you will be bringing a pet. Register well in advance of a storm.
• Learn the locations of official shelters. Emergency Management or American Red Cross personnel can give you the location of the shelter nearest your home and explain what you should bring with you. Plan for your family’s safety.
• Plan ahead for pets. Make sure they are current on vaccinations; have a copy of their vaccination and medical records. Collect emergency supplies — collar with ID and rabies tags, carrier and/or leash, 3-day supply of food and water, litter tray and litter, medications, a recent photo, feeding and/or medication instructions, and the contact information of your vet. Identify a location where you can shelter your pet in case you must evacuate — a motel, the home of a friend or relative or a vet clinic or kennel outside the affected area, or a designated pet emergency shelter. Contact them early to make sure you can house your pet there. Have 24-hour phone numbers of these locations. Many disaster shelters, including those operated by the Red Cross, cannot accept pets because of states’ health and safety regulations, but some may have affiliated pet shelters nearby.
• Learn how to turn off utilities — water, gas and electricity — at the main switches.
• Check emergency equipment — flashlights, generators, battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio, cell phones.
• Stock up on non-perishable food and store a plentiful supply of drinking water. (See list of Disaster Equipment and Supplies.)
• Buy plywood or other material to protect your home.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
• Trim trees and shrubbery.
• Decide where to move your boat in an emergency.
• Review your insurance policy and inventory your personal property. Separate insurance policies are needed for protection against wind and flood damage. Do not wait until a hurricane is in the Gulf to get additional coverage — by then, it is too late. Inventory checklists are available from your insurance agent. Do not trust your memory; list descriptions and serial numbers and take pictures, and store these and other important insurance papers in waterproof containers and/or in your safety deposit box, or take them with you when evacuating.
• Never let your vehicle gas tank be less than half-full during hurricane season.

During a Hurricane Watch:

If you live in an area that has been issued a Hurricane Watch:

• Constantly monitor storm reports on radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio. Track the storm’s location and progress.
• Have a full tank of gas and service your vehicles if necessary. Fill the tank as soon as the Hurricane Watch is posted. Remember, when there is no electricity, gas pumps won’t work.
• If you have pets and are planning to evacuate, call ahead to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for you and your pets. Bring pets inside so you won’t have to search for them if you have to leave in a hurry. Double-check your pets’ emergency supplies. Attach the phone number and address of your temporary shelter, or of a friend or relative outside the disaster area, to their collar ID tags.
• Refill prescriptions or other medications.
• Collect clean, unbreakable, air-tight containers to store sufficient drinking water for several days or stock up on bottled water. One gallon per person per day is the recommended minimum. Be prepared to store at least a three-day supply. The city supply may be interrupted or contaminated.
• Get cash from your bank, in case the power goes out and ATMs don’t work.
• Check on your supplies and collect missing items. (See list of Disaster Equipment and Supplies.)
• Store lawn furniture and other loose, light-weight objects, such as garbage cans and garden tools, awnings and toys, which can become deadly missiles in high winds.
• Inspect and secure mobile home tie-downs.
• Have shutters or lumber to protect large windows and doors. Board up windows in case the storm moves quickly and you have to evacuate.

During a Hurricane Warning:

• Continue to monitor hurricane position, intensity and expected landfall.
• Prepare for high winds. Brace your garage door, lower antennas and be ready to make repairs.
• Confirm that outside objects are stored or anchored.
• Shutter or board up windows securely; tape does not prevent windows from breaking. Close windows tightly. Draw drapes across windows and close doors to protect against flying glass if shattering does occur.
• Move boats and trailers close to the house. Fill boats with water to weigh them down. Lash securely to the trailer and use tie-downs to anchor the trailer to the ground or house.
• Check the mooring lines of boats in the water — and then leave them.
• Put irreplaceable documents in waterproof containers and store in the highest possible spot. If you evacuate, be sure to take them with you.
• Fill water bottles while the water supply is still good.
• Prepare for storm surge, tornadoes and floods. They are the worst killers associated with a hurricane. During a tornado warning, seek shelter inside, below ground level if possible, or in an interior hallway, closet or bathroom on ground level. If outside, move away at right angles from the tornado; if escape is impossible, lie flat in a ditch or low spot. The surge of ocean water plus flash flooding of streams and rivers due to torrential rains combine to make drowning the greatest cause of hurricane deaths. If you live on the coastline, on an offshore island or near a river or flood plain, plan to evacuate.
• Re-check your survival supplies.

PLAN TO EVACUATE IF YOU:

• Live in a mobile home or manufactured home. They are unsafe in high winds no matter how well they are fastened to the ground.
• Live on the coastline, on an offshore island or near a river or flood plain. Risk areas for coastal Texas have been determined based on the category of hurricane. In addition to wind, flooding from storm surge waves is a major killer.
• Live in a high-rise. Hurricane winds can knock out electricity to elevators, break windows and more.

IF YOU ARE EVACUATING:

• Leave early, in daylight if possible.
• When the Hurricane Warning is issued, leave immediately for a safer place.
• Take your pets. Animals left behind can easily be lost, injured or killed.
• If you live in a mobile home, check tie-downs before leaving.
• Let someone else know where you are going. Notify neighbors and a family member outside of the warned area of your evacuation plans.
• Move your most valuable possessions that you can’t take with you to higher points within your home.
• Turn off gas, water and electricity in your home. Ensure that you have done everything possible to protect your property from damage.
• Lock windows and doors.
• Have a map to your destination with the evacuation route marked.
• Take survival supplies with you:
- first-aid kit,
- flashlights,
- radio,
- extra batteries,
- cell phone,
- canned or dried provisions, can opener, spoons, etc.,
- bottled water (minimum of 1 gallon per person per day),
- family medications, prescriptions,
- toiletries,
- cash, credit cards, and
- spare eyeglasses, hearing aids and batteries, if needed.
• Keep important papers with you at all times:
- driver’s license and other identification,
- insurance policies and insurance inventory,
- medic-alert or device to convey special medical information, and
- maps to your destination.
• Take a minimum of one change of clothing and footwear per person.
• Don’t travel farther than necessary. Roads may be jammed. Don’t let your stranded vehicle put you in harm’s way.

Shelters

Public shelters provide temporary housing for evacuees. Most shelters do not have beds or cots, so you will probably be sleeping on the floor. Pack as if you were going camping. Bring:
- one sleeping bag or blanket and one pillow per person,
- sleeping pads or air mattresses,
- special dietary foods,
- special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members,
- lightweight folding chairs,
- robe and/or shower shoes, and
- games, books, music players with headphones, and quiet toys for children.
Do not bring alcoholic beverages or weapons of any kind. Many shelters will not allow pets. Contact the shelter in advance to see if they have an affiliated pet shelter nearby. If necessary, make other arrangements to house your pets. Be prepared to offer assistance to shelter workers if necessary. Stress to all family members their obligations to keep the shelter clean and sanitary.

IF YOU STAY AT HOME:

Before the storm:

• Turn refrigerator and freezer settings to maximum cold. Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities.
• Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances.
• Fill bathtub and large containers with water for sanitary purposes.
• Move furniture away from exposed doors and windows.

During the storm:

• Stay indoors in a small interior room, closet or hallway, away from doors and windows, even if they are covered. If you are in a two-story house, go to in interior first-floor room, such as a bathroom or closet. If you are in a multiple-story building and away from the water, go to the first or second floor and take refuge in the halls or other interior rooms. Stay away from windows and glass doors.
• Close all interior doors. Secure and brace external doors.
• Don’t go outside in the brief calm during the passage of the eye of the storm — the lull ends suddenly as winds return from the opposite direction, and winds can increase in seconds to 75 mph or more.
• Remain calm. Your ability to cope with emergencies will help others.

After the storm:

• Continue to listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for instructions.
• If you evacuated, delay your return until it is recommended or authorized by local authorities. The Texas Department of Transportation will post staggered re-entry maps on TexasOnline.com.
• Without taking any unnecessary risks, protect your property from damage. Temporary repairs can reduce your losses.
• Beware of outdoor hazards. Moving water only 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Report loose or dangling power lines immediately to the proper authorities. Many lives are lost through electrocution.
• Walk or drive cautiously. Debris-filled streets are dangerous. Poisonous snakes and insects will be a hazard. Washouts may weaken roads and bridges, which could collapse under the weight of your vehicle. If you encounter a flooded road, turn around and go the other way. Many people have been killed driving through flooded roadways or around barricades. Roads are closed for your protection.
• Guard against spoiled food. Food may spoil if refrigerator power is off more than a few hours. Freezers will keep food for several days if doors are not opened after power failure, but do not refreeze food once it begins to thaw.
• Do not use water from the tap until you receive official word that the water is safe. Instead use your emergency supply or boil water before drinking. Report broken sewer or water mains to the proper authorities.
• Inspect around the inside of your home. Check gas, water and electrical lines and appliances for damage. Use the phone to report life-threatening emergencies only.
• Take extra precautions to prevent fire. Avoid using candles and other open flames indoors because of possible gas leaks. Use a flashlight to inspect damage. Keep in mind that lowered water pressure in city mains and the interruption of other services may make fire fighting extremely difficult after a hurricane.
• Have professionals check gas, water and electrical lines and appliances for damage.

During the recovery:

• Insurance representatives will be on the scene immediately following a major disaster to speed up the handling of claims. Notify your insurance agent or broker of any losses, and leave word where you can be contacted.
• Making temporary repairs can protect property from further damage or looting. Use only reputable contractors (sometimes in the chaotic days following a disaster, unscrupulous operators will prey on the unsuspecting). If possible, check contractors through the Better Business Bureau. Keep receipts for materials used.
• Be patient: hardship cases will be settled first by insurance representatives. Don’t assume your settlement will be the same as your neighbor’s. Policy forms differ and storm damage is often erratic. In a major catastrophe, the insurance industry will have emergency offices and extra manpower to expedite claim settlements and to speed recovery. Everyone cannot be first.
• Responsibility for the clean-up will fall to numerous local, state and federal agencies. A local Emergency Management Coordinator will be on hand to help residents in this effort.

Essential Storm Terms

Coastal Flood Watch: Significant wind-forced flooding is expected along low-lying coastal areas if weather patterns develop as forecast.

Coastal Flood Warning: Significant wind-forced flooding is imminent along low-lying coastal areas.

Eye: The relative calm area in the center of a storm. Winds are light in this area and the sky often is only partly covered by clouds.

Gale Warning: A warning of sustained winds of 39-54 mph.

Hurricane Watch: The first alert when a hurricane poses a possible, but uncertain, threat to a coastal area, or when a tropical storm threatens the area and has a 50-50 chance of intensifying into a hurricane. Small craft advisories are issued as part of the hurricane watch.

Hurricane Warning: Notice that within 24 hours or less a specified coastal area may be subject to sustained winds of 74 mph or higher and/or dangerously high water, or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves, even though expected winds may be less than hurricane force.

Landfall: The position at a seacoast where the center of a hurricane passes from sea to land.

Storm Warning: A warning of sustained winds in the range of 55-73 mph.

Storm Surge: An abnormal rise in the level of the sea produced by a hurricane or tropical storm. It is a large dome of water often 50-100 miles wide that sweeps across the coastline near where a hurricane makes landfall. The stronger the hurricane and shallower the offshore water, the higher and more devastating the surge will be. Along the immediate coast, storm surge is the greatest threat to life and property.

Storm Tide: The combination of storm surge and astronomical tide. If the storm surge arrives at high tide, the water height will be even greater.

Tornado Watch: Indicates that weather conditions are right for a tornado to develop and the sky should be watched.

Tornado Warning: Indicates a tornado has been sighted or is indicated on radar.

Disaster Equipment and

Supplies Checklist
___ NOAA Weather Radio or transistor radio with spare batteries to last several days
___ flashlights or battery-operated lanterns with spare batteries
___ canned goods and other non-perishable foods that do not need to be cooked, 3-day supply
___ manual can opener
___ bottled water: at least 3 gallons per person
___ prescription and nonprescription drugs
___ pet supplies
___ paper plates, plastic utensils and paper cups
___ plastic garbage bags and ties
___ liquid soap, detergent, disinfectant, household chlorine bleach
___ first aid kit
___ cash or travelers’ checks
___ special items that might be needed for infants, the elderly or disabled persons

Evacuation Information

Evacuation information for Texas is available online and by telephone. Find out if your home is in an evacuation zone by calling 2-1-1 and speaking with an operator. To find out road conditions on state highways, call 1-800-452-9292. For information on evacuation routes, shelters and special needs trasportation, call 2-1-1. Emergency plan tips for Texans with disabilities or special health care needs are also available at http://www.texasonline.com/portal/tol/en/emergency/specialneeds.

For more information

National Weather Service — http://www.weather.gov/os/hurricane
National Hurricane Center — http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
FEMA — http://www.fema.gov
The Humane Society: Disaster Preparedness for pets, horses and livestock

Publication supported in part by Institutional Grant NA06OAR4170076 to Texas A&M University from the National Sea Grant Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Single copies free; order from
Texas Sea Grant College Program
Texas A&M University, MS 4115
College Station, Texas 77843
http://texas-sea-grant.tamu.edu
Distribution (979) 862-3767

TAMU-SG-07-7401R
5M May 2008
NA06OAR4170076