Release Date:
May 30, 2019
Get yourself and your family ready
AUSTIN, Texas — Eight hurricanes and seven other named storms formed in the Atlantic Ocean last year, raining destruction on some Southeastern communities and threatening many more.
This year’s Hurricane season begins this Saturday, June 1, and runs through November. If you’re not prepared for the next round of tropical storms to approach Texas, now is the time to get ready.
- Get insured. Hurricanes often bring flooding, and homeowners insurance usually does not cover flood damage. Homeowners can get up to $350,000 of flood coverage, and those in low-risk areas may qualify for low-cost policies. Flood coverage is also available for renters and business owners. Talk to your insurance agent or contact the National Flood Insurance Program at 800-427-4661. Learn more about flood insurance at www.fema.gov/NFIP. For information on homeowners, wind and hail insurance, visit https://go.usa.gov/xQ7px.
- Get your stuff together. You need an emergency kit that is ready to grab and go. Include water, food and medications for at least three days as well as some cash, a first aid kit, flashlight and batteries. For tips on building an emergency kit, see https://go.usa.gov/xmX9v. You should also bring any important documents you may need in the wake of a disaster, like insurance policies, birth certificates, photos of valuables you may want to include in an insurance claim and contact information for doctors, relatives, creditors and utilities. For more on safeguarding your documents, visit https://go.usa.gov/xm5yR.
- Get your route ready. Map out evacuation routes in multiple directions and establish meeting points with your family. Also figure out where you’ll shelter if you don’t have time to evacuate. Phone service may be unavailable when disaster strikes. Learn more at www.ready.gov/evacuating-yourself-and-your-family, or for Spanish, visit www.listo.gov/es/como-usted-y-su-familia-deben-evacuar.
- Get the FEMA app. The FEMA application, available at www.fema.gov/mobile-app, sends out National Weather Service alerts, safety reminders, emergency checklists and information about shelters.
- Get alerts. Find out if your community uses a text or email emergency-notification system, and sign up. You can also get alerts through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s Weather Radio (www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr) and www.hurricanes.gov. You may also consider picking up an emergency radio, which receives alerts and can be charged by solar power or hand crank.
For additional information on Hurricane Harvey and Texas recovery, visit the Hurricane Harvey disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4332, Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMAHarvey, the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at www.twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at www.dps.texas.gov/dem.