Hurricane preparedness

How to prepare for hurricane season  Hurricane season runs from June to November. There’s still plenty of time to prepare your family and your home for a storm.  What should I do to get ready for a hurricane?  Pay attention to weather reports talking about hurricane season predictions and storm forecasts.  You can also start preparing a plan for your family. A plan should include how you’ll communicate with your family during a storm, where you’ll meet if you need to evacuate, and knowing evacuation routes. It should also include building an emergency kit to take with you if you need to leave.  What should I put in an emergency kit?  Your kit should have food and water for your family and your pets, flashlights and batteries, first aid supplies, personal hygiene products, and important documents. Texas Ready has a checklist of items you might need in your kit.  What documents should I put in my emergency kit?  You’ll want copies of the declaration pages of your home and auto insurance. This is the page with your company’s phone number and the list of your coverages. You’ll also want a copy of your health insurance card. Take pictures of these documents and have them on your phone or online.  What programs can help me after a disaster?  The Emergency Assistance Registry is a free program for Texans with limited mobility or disabilities. It lets first responders and emergency management planners know what your needs might be during an emergency so they can help. Call 211 to ask if your community participates in the registry.  The Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) Damage Surveys help local officials determine how much storm damage there was in your area. They use this monetary amount to ask the state and federal government for disaster assistance.   Do I need flood insurance?   Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding. You need a separate policy. Talk to your home insurance agent about getting a flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program. If your agent doesn’t sell flood insurance, call 800-427-4661 for help.   Most flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before kicking in so don’t wait for an approaching storm before deciding to buy coverage.