Every year, thousands of Texans suffer damage to their homes and livelihoods because of natural disasters, namely hurricanes. There are many ways that you can prepare yourself to minimize the amount of loss sustained from hurricanes passing through the state.
Every home should have an ample number of supplies in case of emergency. While gathering supplies, you should keep in mind the needs of your household members. The regular supplies include essentials like water, food, non perishables, first aid supplies, flashlights, and batteries. In addition to these, make sure you have any prescriptions, pet supplies, and any personal items that are necessary for your survival. During the pandemic, you should also plan to have face masks, hand sanitizer, soap, and wipes in your supply kit.
Even small floods can cause thousands of dollars in damages, so you would benefit from having a flood insurance policy. A flood insurance policy usually takes 30 days after purchase to kick in, so make sure to plan ahead. In preparation for a hurricane, you should plan to move your valuables to higher levels and make sure your drains and gutters are decluttered to prevent accidents. Applying for government assistance requires documentation, so make sure that you have copies of important personal documents in a secure and waterproof location. Remember to take them with you if you need to evacuate.
Always keep in mind that there is a chance you may have to evacuate your home. Familiarize yourself with your chosen route and keep a list of shelter locations. Every household should aim to meet at least once a year to discuss and go over the evacuation plan. You should have a designated meet up location should any of you get separated and everyone should contribute to packing a “go bag,” which will include all of the necessary items you’ll need in case of evacuation.
When you are evacuating, it’s important to be cautious and evaluate if the weather will permit you to leave safely. If roads are flooded or look dangerous, it’s always best to turn around. The elderly and disabled should call 2-1-1 for assistance. You can also register for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) in advance. Those with disabilities, communication barriers, and or those who require additional medical, transportation, or personal care assistance can benefit from this free service.
For additional information on how to prepare for and recover from natural disasters, visit our disaster relief page and the Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center. You can also view our Hurricane Preparedness flyer here.
Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy on behalf of low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines that reside in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties of southwest Arkansas. Lone Star Legal Aid focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well‐being; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those who have disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at http://www.lonestarlegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org
