Prepare for Storm Threatening Texas

Attention is focused on the western Gulf of Mexico as a significant storm threatens to bring high winds, coastal damage and inland flooding to large parts of Texas. The National Hurricane Center believes the storm off the Texas Gulf Coast has a 90-percent chance of becoming a tropical storm. That decision will be determined Monday evening or Tuesday. If it gains strength the storm will be upgraded to a tropical storm named Bill.

AARP Texas urges you to be prepared for this and all serious weather events. Now is a great time to double-check your storm-safety plans. Here are a few things to remember:

Have an emergency kit, and family communication plan. Your emergency kit should have enough food, water and supplies to last 72 hours. Include any medication you or your loved ones need. A family communication plan is important if your family is separated during a storm or other disaster. Write out important addresses and phone numbers, and place these in your child’s backpack or an older loved one’s pocket.

Designate a room in your home as a safe zone to wait in while riding out a storm. A safe room is a fortified shelter for storms or intrusions. Ideally, that’s a room without windows and not much furniture.

Secure your property. Cover your windows with permanent storm shutters or with 5/8” plywood boards. Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down; You don't want any of that flying around in the wind and hitting your house. Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed and can’t pose a danger to you or your property.

Other Resources:

• Click here to view the American Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist
• Click here to see the latest Radar images
• Click here to learn what you can do before, during and after a storm