SterlingResidential.com | Buying & Selling Residential Properties in Texas | Houses for Rent Houston Area | Humble Atascocita Kingwood & Spring Texas Realtors | Sterling Residential®, Realtors® | Real Estate Broker: Hurricane 2008: Top Ten Preparations

The 2008 Atlantic Hurricane season starts June 1 and runs until November 30. Storms develop quickly in warm gulf waters, so start preparations early. While the 2006 & 2007 seasons were relatively quiet, it’s difficult to predict when the coastal area may see its next active season. Gulf Coast residents know from experience that storm devastation happens both with a highly organized Category 3 storm, and the stalled, disorganized tropical storm.

#1: Insurance Coverages

Start your hurricane preparations by reviewing your home owner insurance, making sure your policies are updated and your coverage levels are adequate.

#2: Post-Storm Insurance Procedures

Gulf Coast insurance agencies prepare for disaster events when their primary offices may be within the destruction zone. Mobile offices & client files, dedicated toll free claims numbers, and web site communications allow agencies to provide reassurance and help to their insureds in the crucial storm recovery period. Check with your agent for their disaster “hot line” claims number. Insurance agents generally recommend 4 basic steps in protecting your recovery rights.

• Photograph all damage
• Report claims directly to the agency
• Keep all receipts from any temporary repairs made
• Obtain a WPI-8 form from your contractor for all repairs

#3: Evacuation Plans

Texas law changed in 2005, to allow calling of both voluntary and mandatory evacuations. Know the Coastal Evacuation Zone you reside in and make evacuation plans if you live in one of the affected areas subject to voluntary or mandatory orders. Your plan should include at least one pre-planned out-of-town destination (with family or friends, or a known hotel), a list of local shelter resources, and also an alternate place to meet up with family members (if getting all family members home before evacuation is not feasible). Include your pets in your planning, since most emergency shelters will not accept them.

#4: Evacuation Routes

During the 2005 RITA evacuation, gasoline was in short supply, so review pre-planned evacuation routes to avoid traffic delays. Have a county map in your travel supply kit so you’ll be familiar with secondary roads — a critical step in navigating a route away from the storm when primary evacuation routes become clogged.

#5: Pre-Registration for Evacuation Assistance

Pre-Registering for transportation assistance is vital for those residents who cannot evacuate themselves. The Houston Chronicle noted on April 28, 2008, that only 358 Houstonians had pre-registered for transportation assistance during an emergency evacuation — only a fraction of the 40,000 residents who were assisted during the 2005 evacuation. Emergency management officials are promoting their statewide campaign for planning-awareness and pre-registration of those special needs residents who need help getting to shelter before the storm hits. Pre-Register by calling 2-1-1, or register online with the City of Houston’s Office of Emergency Management.

#6: Photographic Inventory

A photographic inventory of your possessions, prepared on CD-ROM, memory stick, or other compact media, is its own form of “insurance policy.” Ideally, your inventory should include a supporting list of brand names, model numbers, serial numbers, etc. The media, list, and receipts can all be kept together in a large ziploc bag. If time is of the essence, use a disposable camera, a notebook, and begin with the most expensive or irreplaceable items first.

#7: Important Papers & Insurance Documents

Collect important papers and insurance documents for safekeeping and travel during a storm. This would include your photographic inventory. Include vital documents (certificates of birth, death, marriage, SSN, passport,), insurance policies (auto, home, health, life, property), proof of residence, and legal documents (Wills, trusts, deeds, bonds, stocks). Expand the list for your own circumstances, but keep the collection to 1 travel box, if possible.

#8: Home Preparations

Take a good look at preparations necessary for your home and its exterior. What items have to be secured or stored before a storm hits? Are there windows to be covered with plywood? Are sandbags needed? Will your plan change if you ride out the storm at home versus evacuation? How many hours will it take to secure all items and complete preparations? These preparations and decisions are best made prior to the time a critical storm enters the Gulf of Mexico. Otherwise, decision-making time is limited to only a few days, and your preparations may be hindered by thousands of your neighbors making the same last minute decisions for their own homes.

Hurricane Supply Checklist

Experts suggest a good home hurricane supply list will prepare you with the basics necessary for 5 days to 2 weeks following a storm.

Whether remaining in your home, seeking emergency shelter, or evacuating following a mandatory order, plan ahead using this printable hurricane supply checklist.

View the document

#9: Hurricane Supply List

Prepare your hurricane supplies to keep on hand for the season. There are 3 levels of hurricane supply planning: 1) evacuate out of the area, 2) evacuate to a local shelter, and 3) staying at home. Evacuating out of the area anticipates you will have most living necessities & food supplied at your destination. Concentration is placed on a “travel size” disaster supply and first aid kit for your vehicle, your important papers, and deciding which personal items you’ll bring with you. Once compiled, your “travel size” disaster/first aid kit can be available for subsequent hurricane seasons, with minimal effort to update or restock. Evacuating to a shelter or riding out the storm at home require more detailed planning and preparation — with help from a good hurricane supply list. If you are inclined to be better prepared than most, gather those supply items recommended for riding out the storm and a 1-2 week recovery period. Start first with those items requiring more time or energy to find (tools, emergency gear); then add more easily obtainable items (perishable foods, household, clothing). Make preparations early, gathering supplies before area stores get crowded and supplies run low.

#10: Stay Tuned to the News

In 2007, Hurricane HUMBERTO taught Texas residents a new lesson in “Reasons to Stay Prepared.” The Category 1 hurricane formed and intensified in a record-breaking 18 hours prior to landfall on September 13, 2007, at High Island, Texas — upgraded to hurricane status a mere 15 miles off the Texas coastline. When storm conditions are conducive to hurricane development this quickly, residents will have very little reaction time to make any additional storm preparations — except to grab the already-prepared disaster supplies and run.

More about hurricane preparations

For more information on hurricane history, planning & tracking resources, and resources for news, information & preparations, check out our full length article about Hurricane Preparations.