Hurricane Awareness 2006

Missouri City Issues Proclamation Advising Residents & Visitors to Area to Become Aware of Potential Dangers & Make Plans Now

The countdown is underway as Missouri City prepares itself for the 2006 hurricane season precipitated by the issuance of a proclamation about Hurricane Awareness this month. “Texas hurricane season officially begins June 1 and ends November 30th,” said Mayor Owen during a City Council meeting on May 15th as he read a proclamation advising residents and visitors to be made aware of the potential dangers of these storms.

Since the best defense is preparedness and public education about the dangers, area residents are further advised that in this area and areas hundreds of miles inland from the 624-mile Texas Gulf coastline, the devastating effects of a hurricane or tropical storm can adversely affect a community. This is due to high winds, flooding and tornadoes that may occur for hundreds of miles.

“Both public and private entities should review emergency response and recovery plans in accordance with local jurisdictions and local emergency management offices,” said Mayor Owen, who referred to the many drills in which city staff has participated. Most recently, Missouri City participated in a county-wide drill in April involving multi-jurisdictional areas of Fort Bend County.

The Governor’s Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, and Missouri City leaders along with the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management are working in concert with one another for activating emergency operations in this area should they be warranted during the hurricane season.

Further participating in a cooperative preparedness process is the Houston/Galveston office of the National Weather Service which is sponsoring a 2006 Hurricane Workshop on Katrina and Rita—Lessons Learned for the Next Time. The workshop is scheduled on Tuesday, May 30th, 4-9 p.m. at the George Brown Convention Center and is open to the public at no cost.

Locally, city officials advise that plans be put in place at home at this time to include various levels of hurricane preparations in accordance with individual and family needs. Information with tracking maps are available at local grocery stores with measures for preparation that include suggested items for emergency supply kits. It is also recommended that plans for “what to do” be discussed as well as plans for staying informed about hurricanes and forecasts.

Recently on a statewide level, Governor Rick Perry’s office announced that the state’s 2-1-1 service has been expanded to allow Texans who cannot evacuate themselves to register for transportation assistance. This is recommended in the event that a community should be ordered to evacuate. It is also recommended that these registry arrangements be made in advance and that individuals not wait until a storm is approaching.

Internet websites listed below have important information for hurricane and family disaster plan preparation. Missouri City will make hard copies of this information for those requesting it. Interested persons are asked to call the fire department at 261-4250, or they may pick up the information at the Public Safety Building located at 3849 Cartwright Road.

WEBSITES RE: HURRICANE AND FAMILY DISASTER PLAN PREPARATION

http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/

http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_77_,00.html – Family disaster plan

http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_253_,00.html – Hurricane

ftp://ftp.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/plans/hurr_planning_businesses.pdf