5 Hurricane Preparedness Tips in Pasadena, TX

If you live in Pasadena, Texas, you already know it’s a wonderful place in the Houston area to call home. But along with all the things that make Pasadena an incredible place to live, it also has some of the most extreme weather conditions you can face. Hurricanes sometimes threaten Pasadena, and being aware of hurricane watches and warnings is important for its residents. When a hurricane warning or watch comes your way, you can prepare by following these five important tips that can help your family and home stay safe in the storm.

Have an Evacuation Plan

Not all hurricanes will affect your life in the same way. Sometimes, a hurricane’s intensity and its path will make it such a serious threat that the only safe choice you’ll have is to evacuate until the storm has passed. Here are some ways to prepare to evacuate should it become necessary:

• Know your destination, whether it’s a shelter, a hotel, or staying with friends or relatives, that’s outside the danger zone, not forgetting to account for your pets.
• Know how you’ll travel to your destination, whether it’s using your own vehicle or a public transportation system.
• If you’re evacuating in your own vehicle, know how to reach your destination by learning both a primary route and an alternate route ahead of time.
• Let someone else know where you’re going and how you’re getting there.
• If possible, and if you have time, turn off your home’s supplies of water, gas, and electricity and unplug appliances.
• Leave as soon as possible after authorities issue an evacuation order, and find a way to drive around floodwaters instead of through them. 

Prepare Your Vehicle for Evacuation

If a hurricane should force you to evacuate, you’ll need to be sure your vehicle will reliably get you and your family out of danger. Regular service and maintenance aren’t just good things to do if you can find the time; they’ll keep your vehicle ready to do its job when you need it most. If your vehicle needs attention, we can help; contact us and schedule a service at Monument Chevrolet. And when evacuation becomes a real possibility, have your vehicle ready to go by following these steps:

• Make sure your vehicle’s gas tank is full or its batteries are fully charged.
• Keep a first aid kit in your vehicle, and make sure it’s stocked.
• Have an emergency kit in your vehicle that includes a flashlight, a radio, extra batteries, road flares or reflective triangles, blankets, and a map.
• Make sure you have ways to recharge your phone’s battery or other devices.
• Have some drinking water and food in your vehicle for people and pets.
• It can be wise to include a tool kit, extra eyeglasses or contact lens solution, extra prescription medications, and personal hygiene items.

Prepare Your Home for Winds and Flooding

If you have a home in the path of a hurricane, it’s going to have to endure the harsh elements no matter what. Some of the biggest dangers that hurricanes bring are high winds and floods. Preparing your home to face these dangers can help minimize the potential damage of a serious storm. Here are some ways to prepare your home for the worst elements of weather:

• Clear what you can from your yard or decks, such as outdoor furniture, trash cans, and bicycles. 
• Anchor things that are too big or bulky to clear, such as grills, decorative features, and propane tanks.
• Put vehicles in garages or shelters, or park them away from trees that could lose branches or topple over.
• Protect windows as much as possible by closing storm shutters or securely covering them with boards or plywood.
• Securely close all doors, and if time allows, reinforce lightweight garage doors and gates.
• Keep your gutters, downspouts, and drains clean and clear.
• Have sandbags and tarps ready to hold back unexpected flows of water.

Shelter Safely During a Hurricane

When not evacuating, you’ll need to keep yourself and your family as safe as possible during a hurricane. Here are some things you’ll need to consider when choosing how to ride out a storm at home:

• Choose the best place in your home to protect you from the damage and risks of high winds and flooding, where you can all stay together during the storm.
• Gather the supplies you’ll need while you shelter, including water, food, medicine, a fire extinguisher, sources of light such as candles and flashlights, a first aid kit, blankets, a radio, and extra batteries and device-charging sources.
• Keep away from windows that can break and carry sharp shards of glass and other debris in high winds.
• Be sure the hurricane has passed before leaving your shelter; lulls can make it seem like a storm is over when it’s not.
• Know how to get to higher ground if flooding becomes extreme.

Plan for After the Hurricane

The results of a hurricane can present as many challenges as the storm itself. Here are a few things to keep in mind after the storm:

• If you’ve evacuated, wait for authorities to determine it’s safe to return, and bring essential supplies back with you.
• Be aware of downed power lines, especially near water, and keep in mind that floodwaters can hide dangerous features and often carry dangerous chemicals and sewage.
• Be ready for extended times without water, power, and internet service, and expect slow responses from busy emergency services.
• Don’t take chances with expired or spoiled foods and medicines.

Are You Prepared if a Hurricane Threatens?

When it comes to facing hurricanes, we’re all in it together. At Monument Chevrolet in Pasadena, Texas, we hope that these five tips will help your family prepare to face even the biggest storms nature can bring. And if you’re not sure whether your vehicle is ready to help you prepare for such serious storms or reliably get you out of danger, we hope you’ll let us get you in a vehicle you can count on. You’re always welcome to come by, or you can just contact us and let us know how we can help.

Warwick, Bermuda by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is licensed with CC BY 2.0

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