HURRICANE SURVIVAL GUIDE

Every year, KPRC 2’s weather team helps get you ready for whatever Mother Nature brings our way in the future with our Hurricane and Flood Survival Guide.

Here’s your guide to determining which food items to keep or toss after you lose power:

Here’s a checklist of items to have on hand during hurricane season.

In the aftermath of a major storm, you may discover downed power lines.

When severe weather threatens and it’s not safe to evacuate, here is what you should do to protect yourself and loved ones in your house, apartment, or mobile home.

Here are tips to protect yourself and others from contracting the coronavirus if a hurricane threat forces you to relocate to a public shelter:Identify a safe place to shelter prior to the event. That may be your local public shelter. Prepare your supply kit that includes hand sanitizer, bar soap and two cloth face coverings for each person in your family over two years of age. Wash your hands often and wear your cloth face cover. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer immediately after touching these surfaces.

KPRC 2’s severe weather team helps get you ready for whatever Mother Nature brings our way in the future with our Hurricane and Flood Survival Guide 2021.

Once again our hurricane season has begun BEFORE June 1st (Tropical Storm Arthur & Bertha) and once again all the official forecasts are coming in with an above average forecast. Average is 12 storms, 6 of those becoming hurricanes and 3 of those becoming major--the National Hurricane Center has a forecast that potentially doubles that to 12 hurricanes and 6 majors! Hurricane Harvey did hit to our south in Rockport as a Cat 4 and we certainly felt the horrible effects of a flooding hurricane. So we can split hairs all we want, the bottom line is there is no reason to think the Gulf won't have an active season. You'll likely have to stay put unless you live in a surge zone and then you'll need a place on higher ground.

Published: May 22, 2020, 11:10 am Updated: May 28, 2020, 9:49 amHere’s all you need to know about flood insurance coverage as the season begins. Building Property coverage:The insured building & its foundation. A detached garage (up to 10 % of Building Property coverage); detached buildings (other than detached garages) require a separate Building Property policy. Carpets not included in building coverage. Certain valuable items such as original artwork and furs (up to $2,500)NOT insured under either policy:

Published: May 22, 2020, 10:38 am Updated: May 28, 2020, 9:40 amWith hurricane season approaching, KPRC 2 Hurricane Headquarters is here to help Houstonians power through the storms by providing our audience with everything they need to know. Here’s what to do after a flood hits:

KPRC 2 Hurricane Headquarters is here to help Houstonians power through the storms by providing our audience with everything they need to know. Here’s what to do when flooding threatens:

With hurricane season approaching, KPRC 2 Hurricane Headquarters is here to help Houstonians power through the storms by providing our audience with everything they need to know to know. Here are county emergency management contacts to have stored in your phone. 979-865-5911979-864-1201Alvin281-388-4363Angleton979-849-2383Baileys Prairie979-849-0134Brazoria979-798-2489Brookside281-485-3048Clute979-265-6194Danbury979-922-1551Freeport979-239-1211Hillcrest Village281-74 8 -7 149Holiday Lakes979-849-1136Iowa Colony281-369-3444Jones Creek979-233-3091Lake Jackson979-415-2500Liverpool281-581-2342Manvel281-489-1212Oyster Creek979-233-8481Pearland281-997-4648Richwood979-265-8157Surfside Beach979-239-1151Sweeny979-548-3321, 979-548-4541Quintana979-233-0848West Columbia979-345-5121979-821-1011Bryan979-821-1030College Station979-821-1000409-267-2445City of Mont Belvieu281-576-2021Colorado Co. Emergency Management979-733-0184281-342-6185Arcola281-431-0606Beasley979-387-2775Fairchilds281-341-4638Fulshear281-346-1796Kendleton979-532-8240Meadows Place281-983-2900Missouri City281-403-8500Needville979-793-4255Orchard979-478-6893Pleak281-239-8504Richmond281-342-5456Rosenberg835-595-3700Simonton281-533-9809Stafford281-841-0355Sugar Land281-275-2700Thompsons281-343-9929Weston Lakes281-533-0907888-384-2000Bayou Vista409-935-0449Clear Lake Shores281-334-1034, 281-334-2799Dickinson281-337-4700Friendswood281-996-3335Galveston409-765-3710Hitchcock409-986-5559Jamaica Beach409 -737-1142Kemah281-334-5414La Marque409-938-9269League City281-554-1000Santa Fe409-925-3092Texas City409-643-5840Tiki Island409-935-1427Grimes Co. Emergency Management936-873-4404713-881-3100Baytown281-420-6556Bellaire713-662-8222Deer Park281-478-7298El Lago281-326-5900Galena Park713-672-2556Houston713-884-4500Jacinto City713-674-8424Humble281-446-4928Jersey Village713-466-2130Katy281-574-8633, 281-391-3500La Porte281-470-0010Morgans Point281-471-2171Nassau Bay281-336-6298Pasadena713-475-5588

Here’s what to do after a hurricane hits:If forced into a public shelter, stay until told by local officials it’s safe to return to your home. Do not drink or prepare food with tap water until you are certain it’s not contaminated. Do not use electrical appliances that have water damage until they’ve been checked by a professional. Avoid disaster areas; stay away from floodwaters, flooded roads and washed-out bridges. Stay away from river banks, bayous and streams until all potential flooding has passed.

Here’s how to protect yourself during a hurricane:Stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors, even if they are boarded or covered. Stay on the floor that is least likely to be affected by strong winds and floodwaters. A small interior room without windows on the first floor is usually the safest place.

Here’s your checklist if you have to evacuate:Make sure your gas tank is full. Prepare your vehicle for what could be a very long ride. Stock your vehicle with necessities such as water, food, pillows and blankets, toiletries, current maps, baby supplies, pet supplies, prescription medicines, flashlights and extra batteries and cash. Bring proper identification and proof of residency—your driver’s license, a utility bill or rent receipt — in case you need Red Cross or FEMA assistance.

Here’s your checklist for when a hurricane threatens:Store drinking water in any clean containers – bathtubs, bottles, pots, etc., as the water supply may become contaminated. Secure outdoor objects that may blow away or move them inside the house or garage. You may need to evacuate quickly and/or sit in traffic for hours. Secure homes and buildings by boarding up each window. Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities.

With hurricane season approaching, KPRC 2 Hurricane Headquarters is here to help Houstonians power through the storms by providing our audience with everything they need to know to know. Heres a list of supplies to have prepared for your pet:

With hurricane season approaching, KPRC 2 Hurricane Headquarters is here to help Houstonians power through the storms by providing our audience with everything they need to know, starting with terminology. [RELATED: Tropical disturbance could get hurricane season off to an early start]Hurricane WatchAn announcement that hurricane-force winds are possible the specified warning area within 48 hours. Hurricane WarningAn announcement that hurricane-force winds are expected somewhere in the specified warning area within 36 hours. Hurricane AdvisoryA report issued from the National Hurricane Center that keeps the public informed of hurricanes through the duration of a hurricane’s life cycle. More weather terms to know

With hurricane season approaching, KPRC 2 Hurricane Headquarters is here to help Houstonians power through the storms by providing our audience with everything they need to know, starting with terminology. Here’s what to know about thunderstorms:Severe Thunderstorm Watch: An announcement issued when severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. It does not mean that they will occur. Severe Thunderstorm Warning: A warning issued when severe thunderstorms are occurring or imminent in the warning area. More weather terms to know:

[RELATED: Tropical disturbance could get hurricane season off to an early start]Unsure if it’s a storm or disturbance, or don’t understand the difference either way? Here’s how it breaks down:A tropical cyclone with sustained surface winds from 39 mph (63 km/hr) to 73 mph (118 km/hr) is categorized as a tropical storm. In September 2019, Tropical Storm Imelda caused major flooding throughout Houston, pouring more than two feet of water over some areas. Finally, a tropical disturbance is defined as a discrete tropical weather system of apparently organized thunderstorms. A tropical disturbance also is not associated with a front and maintains its identity for 24 hours or more.

Here are Hurricane categories and wind scales explained:Category 1 Hurricane: Winds 74-95 mphNo real damage to building structures. Category 2 Hurricane: Winds 96-110 mphSome roofing material, door and window damage of buildings. Category 3 Hurricane: Winds 111-129 mphSome structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees, with foliage blown off trees and large trees blown down. Category 4 Hurricane: Winds 130-156 mphMore extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences.

As hurricane season approaches, here’s what to know about tide levels and how they change during storms. Typically, a location will observe two high tides and two low tides within a day. Normal tide (KPRC)A storm surge is an abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm, caused by wind blowing seawater onshore. Storm surge is usually estimated by subtracting the normal or astronomic high tide from the observed storm tide. Lastly, a storm tide is the actual level of seawater resulting from the astronomic tide combined with the storm surge.

Flash flooding usually happens within minutes to several hours after a heavy rainfall event. Flash Flood WatchAn announcement issued when conditions are favorable for flash flooding. It does not mean that flash flooding will occur, but it is possible. Flash Flood WarningA warning issued when flash flooding is imminent or occurring. Flood WarningA warning issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.

With hurricane season approaching, KPRC 2 Hurricane Headquarters is here to help Houstonians power through the storms by providing our audience with everything they need to know to know. Heres a checklist of what to have prepared before hurricane season begins:Heres a checklist of items to have on hand during hurricane season. Create an emergency communication list in case you are separated from family and friends. Include home, work, school and cell numbers and exchange lists with family, friends and neighbors. Keep a list of pet-friendly places hotels and motels, friends, boarding facilities or veterinarians and phone numbers.

With hurricane season approaching, KPRC 2 Hurricane Headquarters is here to help Houstonians power through the storms by providing our audience with everything they need to know to know, starting with terminology. Heres what to know about tornados:Tornado Watch: An announcement issued when severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Tornado Warning: A warning issued when a tornado has formed, a tornado is imminent, or a rotating thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado is observed. When a tornado warning is issued, seek safe shelter immediately. More weather terms to know

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted nine to 15 storms will develop in the Atlantic basin this year. You (need to) know what to do with your family, your children, your pets in the event of an emergency, Hidalgo said. Hidalgo said families should also have a hurricane kit with medicine, food and water that will last at least seven days. Harris County officials also released maps of the approved evacuation zones and routes that will be used for the 2020 season. DOCUMENTS: Evacuation zones mapThere are even more resources available in the Hurricane Headquarters section at Click2Houston.com/hurricane.

As we've seen this week, floods can quickly turn dangerous and deadly, especially for people who get stranded in high water. So what do you do if you're faced with this situation? KPRC 2’s Bill Spencer has the tips that could save your life.