August 2006 Newsletter
Gulf Coast's Hurricane Season - How to Prepare

August on the Gulf Coast can mean only two things. School is starting and the peak of Hurricane Season is upon us. As we prepare our children with all the essentials for a new season of learning we as adults need to gather our evacuation supplies as well.

There are many web sites that elaborate on the intricacies of being prepared for the next natural disaster. These sites are complete and full of excellent instruction: If you fail to plan, plan to fail.

Take a minute to make a copy of a checklist to prepare for the unexpected. These checklists will expedite the tedious process. Unfortunately, the majority of us will wait until the last 24-48 hours to implement our plan.

As a Katrina evacuee turned permanent Houstonian, I have personally evacuated many times living along the Gulf Coast. The follow tips are based on trial and error, cost effectiveness and simplicity.

• Secure an additional propane tank for your gas grill in case electricity fails. This salvages the content of your refrigerator/freezer. If you own a camping grill buy extra propane tanks. Concentrate on buying protein based canned foods as opposed to junk food. The intense heat and the physical and emotional exhaustion after a Hurricane can deplete your energy level.
• Turn your refrigerator and freezer to a colder temperature. This will give you a few more hours to keep food safe. Try not opening the door if possible. This can make the difference with medicine like insulin that needs to be refrigerated. Buy many bags of ice to store in your freezer. After the storm ice and water will command the highest premium. Remind family members to not drink out of the refrigerator door until your water has been given a clean bill of health. Continue to boil all water until cleared by your municipality. Our son drank out of the refrigerator door out of habit and developed an upset stomach. We became fearful because the hospitals were not open. He was fine but it was quite a scare.
• Coordinate and share expenses of food, water, and gasoline with neighbors that are staying. This can cut down on cost and preparation.
• Fill gas cans before the storm approaches. Gas and chainsaws are highly coveted items after disaster strikes.
• Withdraw a sizable amount of cash from your ATM as the machines rapidly empty.
• Have a first aid kit on hand as 911 services may not be in service. Be cautious of snakes and rats when debris/trash is collected in a central area. Trash Collection may not arrive on schedule.
• Have a hand cranked emergency radio with weather bands available. This will be your only form of information if electricity fails.
• Don’t use candles for illumination due to risk of fire or an explosion due to a gas leak.

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• Pack light as most items can be replaced. Save room for valuables such as pictures, family heirlooms and videos that are irreplaceable.
• If you haven’t already inventoried your home take last minute videos/pictures. This is your only negotiating tool if you need to make an insurance claim unless you have receipts for all your household contents.
• Have a plan B for your evacuation if Contra-flow will not permit you to travel in the direction you had originally planned. Pack each car with a Contra flow map. If staying at a hotel make reservations at least 72 hours ahead of time. You can always cancel before 6:00pm without a penalty. If you wait any longer your evacuation will take you further than you had planned to travel. Study alternative routes and pick children up at school before dismissed. A few hours ahead of gridlock can make the difference in choosing to go or being forced to stay.
• Remember Pet supplies. Pets become anxious and they eat very little but they need a water dish in the car. Don’t forget dog leashes like we did. We had to walk our dogs with the cell phone charger cord at a Holiday Inn.
• Gather important documents. Most of these can be replaced but I had to stand in line at the Social Security office for four hours for a new copy.
• Candles melt, wine corks explode, and picture hangers pop out of sheetrock when exposed to prolong heat. This may effect what you will take with you.
• Move all mobile objects in your yard into the garage. You can be held liable if you don’t take reasonable precautions. Even bird feeders can become missiles in severe weather.
• If disaster strikes, call FEMA and your Insurance Company as soon as possible. Starting the process early puts you at the head of the line for assistance. My husband stayed up all night to register on-line the first few days after Katrina. Our insurance company responded to our situation within days.
• Leave information containing landline numbers with all friends/family of where you will be. A friend of mine remembered my maiden name and searched the Houston area for hours to locate my mother to check on our status.
• Back-up computers and have your passwords with your important documents. We had been using RoboForm and I didn’t have my passwords when leaving Louisiana. When I attempted to access another computer in Houston I had no record of my passwords.

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