Lessons Learned and Emergency Preparedness

HURRICAINE HARVEY

The storm has passed and we are so fortunate in many ways. LMF residents are amazing! Our community’s generosity is awe inspiring.
Recovery now begins. It’s time to learn and implement the lessons in preparedness and response. Below you will find a list of lessons learned offered by many of our residents. Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas.

LESSONS LEARNED

  1. Buy flood insurance. Educate yourself on coverage https://www.allstate.com/tools-and-resources/home-insurance/flood-insurance-101.aspx
  2. Buy a home in LMF where the civil engineers did a dang good job on the drainage systems
  3. Have some cash, small bills and change. ATMs and store registers can't take debit cards with no power
  4. Join your neighborhood social media page and nextdoor before the storm hits. Exchange numbers with your neighbors and stay in communication via group text.
  5. Buy extra milk and cereal. Evaporated milk, powered milk or canned milk concentrate is a good alternative. If you freeze milk you have to let it unfreeze slowly in refrigerator and then it should be used within 2-3 days. Dried beans and rice are a great staple. A chocolate stash won’t hurt.
  6. Having a life jacket, flats, inflatable raft and canoe/kayak is not a bad idea
  7. Purchase a Waterbob and Iodine tablets to purify water
  8. Mattress Mack is a saint
  9. Flashlight/battery alternative: Cyalume ChemLight Military Grade Chemical Light Sticks, White, 6" Long, 8 Hour Duration (Pack of 10)
  10. Plastic tubs can help you relocate smaller items to higher ground
  11. Purchase Quick Dam Water Activated Flood Barrier
  12. We were very lucky to not lose power but having a generator as a backup is comforting
  13. Purchase a battery backup for your cell phones. Possibly a hand cracked charger and walkie talkies
  14. Scan and store all your important documents onto a cloud drive. They are now accessible anywhere you go in the event you are displaced without them.
  15. Freeze water in jugs! It will help keep things cold if you lose power. Purchase a good qualify cooler for extra ice
  16. Store water in containers or buckets to be used to flush toilets, baths, wash hands or face.
  17. Make sure to refill all your RX
  18. Try to get all your family together in one place if possible (preferably the least flood prone place!). One less thing to stress about.
  19. Have extra toilet paper
  20. Try to confirm information before posting it to social media.
  21. Know your home’s elevation
  22. Let’s form our own LMF Navy composed on volunteers with boats and lifted trucks that are willing to help rescue flood victims.
  23. Don’t walk in high water. Don’t let children play in high water. Fire ants float and bite!  There are snakes and other critters lurking in the waters.
  24. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Our community is wonderful!
  25. Dinosaurs running around LMF are hilarious!


EMERGENCY SUPPLIES/KIT

  • Water, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation
  • Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Buy extra bread and freeze it! You can freeze milk, purchase shelf milk or powered milk
  • Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Unscented candles
  • First Aid kit
  • Medications (pain relievers, allergy meds, ointments, etc.)
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Infant formula and diapers, if you have an infant
  • Moist towels, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
  • Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air
  • Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
  • One complete change of clothing and shoes per person
  • Emergency reference materials such as a first aid book or a print out of the information on www.ready.gov
  • Rain gear: rain boots and rain coat
  • Paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
  • Cash: small bills and change
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Tent
  • Matches in a waterproof container*
  • Signal flare*
  • Pen, pencils and Paper
  • Personal hygiene items including feminine supplies
  • Disinfectant wipes
  • Pet supplies: Food, water and medicine. Kennels, crates and leashes for pets

PREPARATION

  • Store important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identifications, credit cards, passports, bank account records, birth certificates, insurance information in a waterproof, portable container, USB drive or ICloud
  • ID your pet. Make sure that your cat or dog is wearing a collar and identification that is up-to-date and visible always.
  • Monitor your local TV and radio stations.
  • Fuel vehicles and generators.
  • Bring in all outdoor furniture, trampolines, toys and any other items that could become projectiles.
  • Take pictures of property and contents for insurance purposes. Upload them to ICloud
  • Develop an evacuation plan for you and your family. Evacuate immediately, if advised.
  • Keep cell phones handy and well charged. Save your phone battery. If you have an iPhone go to Settings > Battery >Turn on Low Power Mode.
  • If you know you will need assistance evacuating during a disaster, please register by dialing 2-1-1 or let someone in LMF know in advance.
  • Be a Good Samaritan and check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are unable to make personal preparations.

EVACUATION

  • If officials indicate an evacuation is necessary:
  • Leave as soon as possible
  • Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off the electricity and the main water valve.
  • If time permits, elevate furniture to protect it from flooding or better yet, move it to a higher floor.
  • Bring pre-assembled emergency supplies
  • Tune in to your local emergency radio or television station.
  • People traveling with young children, elderly family members or people with functional and access needs should leave early. If you wait to leave until the general evacuation is recommended, traffic will be heavier and the weather may be worse, lengthening the time you may have to spend in your car.
  • Return home only after authorities advise that it is safe to do so.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

  • Stay calm, do not panic. Get to high ground immediately.
  • Do not go into the attic, rescuers from the air cannot see you.
  • Mark the roof to be seen from the air. Wave sheets, towels, to be noticed from the air

When calling for help be prepared to clearly provide: The complete address of the rescue location, and any information which would help rescuers finding you, contact phone number and number of people needing help and their condition.
  • For a medical/functional emergency call 211.
  • For shelters or help, inside Houston, dial 311. Outside Houston, dial 211.
  • For a life-threatening emergency ONLY call 911.
  • For search and rescue download the Zello app — https://zello.com/app — and go to one of these channels. When Zello channels are experiencing high traffic, the easiest way to get your information through is to write it down and send a picture to the channel.

WEBSITES


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Please feel free to share you advice in the comments. 

Ali Palacios, ABR, MCNE, TAHS
Realtor
Today's Home Realty
ali.palacios@todayshomerealty.com
Mobile - 832-418-0670
www.ilovehappyclients.com

 9119 Hwy 6 S #230-116, Missouri City, TX 77459


[1] https://www.wunderground.com/prepare/disaster-supply-kit

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