Houston, TX

According the Environment News Service newswire, “Texas Governor Rick Perry Friday declared Hurricane Dean an imminent threat to Texas, initiating full-scale state hurricane preparedness efforts.”

Coastal Houston and south are on alert because various projections have Dean hitting the Texas coast sometime mid-next week.

UKMET…GFS…AND CONSENSUS MODELS CALL FOR A MOTION TOWARD THE NORTHERN YUCATAN PENINSULA AND NORTHEASTERN MEXICO. THE GFDL CALLS FOR A MOTION THROUGH THE YUCATAN CHANNEL TO THE TEXAS COAST…WHILE THE ECMWF AND NOGAPS CALL FOR A MORE WESTERLY MOTION THROUGH THE CENTRAL YUCATAN AND THE BAY OF CAMPECHE INTO MAINLAND MEXICO. THE TRACK FORECAST IS NUDGED A LITTLE SOUTH OF THE PREVIOUS FORECAST IN BEST AGREEMENT WITH THE CONSENSUS MODELS.

Although it is possible that Dean won’t be an issue for the Houston area, it’s still best to prepare in case it does aim for us.

How do you prepare? Following are some tips I collected:

1. Know whether you are in an evacuation zone. The rule of thumb is: run from water, hide from wind. If you are not in an evacuation zone, take shelter in an interior portion of your home. NOAA updated the evacuation zones in May 2007. The new PDF map displays evacuation zones broken down by zip code. It’s very easy to understand. If you are in an evacuation zone, make sure you know your evacuation route and site.

2. The National Hurricane Center has general preparedness guidelines, including an easy-to-use checklist:

• DEVELOP A FAMILY PLAN - Your family’s plan should be based on your vulnerability to the Hurricane Hazards. You should keep a written plan and share your plan with other friends or family.
• CREATE A DISASTER SUPPLY KIT - There are certain items you need to have regardless of where you ride out a hurricane. The disaster supply kit is a useful tool when you evacuate as well as making you as safe as possible in your home.
• SECURE YOUR HOME - There are things that you can do to make your home more secure and able to withstand stronger storms.
• ONLINE VULNERABILITY INFO - There are web sites that can give you information about your communities vulnerability to specific hazards. These include hurricanes as well as other weather related hazards.

3. Pay attention to local news bulletins that will keep you apprised of risk and action you need to take. Most area towns have Web sites where they post community specific information. The State of Texas has online materials with information about hurricanes and state planning and preparation.

4. Take flooding seriously. Flash floods and flooded streets are dangerous. Heed warnings, and remember, “Turn around! Don’t drown!” Of the 22 metro-Houston residents killed in 2001’s Allison, most lost their lives while trying to drive or walk through flooded roads.

5. Check on friends and neighbors, especially the elderly and infirm, to ensure they have the help they need.

hurricane, hurricane preparedness, hurricane planning, hurricane risk,   hurricane Texas Gulf Coast, hurricane Houston, hurricane Dean