County leaders are encouraging residents to start building emergency plans and disaster supply kits now, before shelves begin to empty and demand surges ahead of a potential storm. – Hurricane season is officially underway, and Harris County emergency officials say the worst time to prepare is when a storm is already headed toward the Gulf Coast.
County leaders are encouraging residents to start building emergency plans and disaster supply kits now, before shelves begin to empty and demand surges ahead of a potential storm.
“The message is simple: don’t wait for a forecast cone to show up on your phone,” emergency managers said.
Officials with Harris County Homeland Security & Emergency Management say hurricane preparedness is about more than just tropical systems. Residents in the Houston area face a variety of weather threats throughout the year, including flooding, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, winter weather, and hurricanes.
As part of their preparedness recommendations, officials say every household should have enough food, water, medications, and pet supplies to last between seven and 10 days.
Rather than making a last-minute trip to the store when a storm threatens the area, emergency managers recommend purchasing supplies gradually throughout the season.
“One of the easiest ways to prepare is to buy a few extra emergency items each time you go shopping,” officials said.
Residents are also encouraged to determine whether they live in a hurricane evacuation zone and to have a plan in place if they need to leave their homes quickly.
At the Harris County Emergency Operations Center, officials monitor weather threats year-round and coordinate response efforts before, during, and after disasters. Emergency managers say the planning process begins long before a storm develops in the Gulf.
Brian Murray, deputy director of Harris County Homeland Security & Emergency Management, said preparedness starts with simple steps that can make a major difference when severe weather strikes.
Officials say one of the biggest mistakes residents make is waiting until a storm is approaching to begin preparing.
By that point, stores are often crowded, supplies can be limited, and families may not have enough time to gather what they need.
Emergency managers encourage residents to review emergency plans with family members, update important documents, sign up for weather alerts, and assemble disaster kits now rather than later.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.