Hurricane Preparedness Tips

from the Department of Housing and Urban Development

Advice for Residents

• Most importantly know how to reach your local Emergency Management Contacts (for example, police and fire departments).
• If you would have difficulty evacuating by yourself, call 2-1-1 ahead of time. Also contact your local Emergency Management agency.
• If you have your own mode of transportation, fill up your fuel tank now, rather than after an evacuation begins.
• Get information from your local Emergency Management contact on evacuation routes. The State has predetermined routes for different parts of the State.
• Bring in outdoor objects that could become deadly missiles, such as patio furniture, hanging plants, trash cans, gardening tools and barbecues.
• If your home is vulnerable to rising water, move furniture and valuables to a higher level.
• If you have pets, purchase carrying containers for their transport.
• Make a final walk-through inspection of your home before leaving.
• Assemble a family emergency supply kit and have it ready to go at a moment’s notice. It should contain the following items: radio and flashlight with extra batteries, extra eye glasses, medications and prescriptions, special products for babies and the elderly, bottled water, non-perishable food, clothes, bedding and important documents sealed in waterproof containers.
• When officials recommend evacuation, leave. Do not try to ride out a hurricane in a high-risk area. Seek shelter inland with family or friends, at a hotel or designated shelter. Notify relatives and friends of your plans, and confirm hotel reservations.
• Find out where shelters are located along your route in case clogged roads prevent you from reaching your destination.
• The State and Red Cross has recommended certain items in a “survival kit” to take if you are being evacuated by the State. Go to: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/index.htm for those recommendations.
• The State and local government will start making Public Address Announcements regarding the Storm. Keep your families informed of any announcements that are being made.

Advice for Property Managers

• Identify local Emergency Management Contacts (for example, police and fire departments).
• Identify families that may need special assistance in an evacuation. Have them register through the Emergency 211 number immediately. Also, forward their names to the local Emergency Management Contact.
• Establish an emergency phone number and point of contact for your residents to get in touch with if they are forced to evacuate. You’ll want them to be able to report to you on their location and current condition.
• If your property is assisted, or insured, by HUD know how to contact the HUD Property Manager assigned to your apartment complex. Call this person to report damage, or dislocated tenants. Make sure your HUD Property Manager has an emergency contact number for you.
• Make a plan for securing/transporting important management files.

To help protect your property from the force of hurricane winds, board up doors and windows with plywood or install storm shutters. Keep in mind that winds are stronger at higher elevations, such as high-rise apartments or condos, could pose a threat during high winds. Take care to secure any patio furniture, planters or other items which could break glass or cause injury.

Resources from TAA:

For property owners, the Texas Apartment Association has developed a collection of resources online that may be helpful in the event of a natural disaster, including frequently asked questions, sample notices and letters, owner’s rights and responsibilities, and disaster preparedness guidelines.

For residents, the Texas Apartment Association’s "Disaster Preparedness and Response" page offers a list of resources and additional sources of information.

Hurricane Preparation Resources

Ready Houston TX - regional disaster preparedness site

Ready Houston in Spanish

Ready Houston in Vietnamese Tieng Viet 

The City of Houston’s online news room  for press releases, statements and other information during a disaster. It is solely for the City of Houston to communicate with the media and the public.

Ready America – national disaster preparedness site  

Ready America in Spanish - Listo 

Texas Apartment Association – The member center includes hurricane preparedness documents specifically for apartment owners and managers.

National Hurricane Center - The latest on storms and predictions.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration  - The latest on storms and predictions.

Houston Red Cross  and Build Your Disaster Supplies Kit– information on preparing a disaster kit and resources related to disasters.

All renters are advised to consider Renters Insurance. Visit the Texas Department of Insurance website to learn more about Renters Insurance.

Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management – Hurricane Preparedness Brochure

Houston Fire Department - Hurricane Preparedness Website

Resources from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Together Against the Weather

The Houston-Galveston Area Council published a tool kit in 2009 with information on how to develop a hurrican plan. Below you will find a Together Against the Weather Tool Kit full of downloadable posters, videos and other materials that may be valuable to renters.