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Video on preparing a kit (Chinese).

Hurricane season officially began June 1st and lasts until November 30th. As we prepare for this upcoming hurricane season, the City of Houston offers the following tips to help you and your family prepare:

Know Your Risk – Visit the Houston Storm Risk Calculator at harcresearch.org to find out what your level of risk is for flooding, storm surge, wind damage and power outages.

If you live in a hurricane evacuation area, know your zone, and be prepared to evacuate when the order is given. East and Southeast Houston, including most of District I, is in a hurricane evacuation area.

Get Prepared – Take a moment to review your emergency plan with your family, as well as make sure you have all the necessary supplies to be able to sustain yourself without electricity and running water for 5-7 days, including:

• Non-perishable foods & water
• Portable radio with extra batteries
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• First-aid kit, along with any prescription medicine
• Special items for babies and the elderly
• Toiletries and hygiene items
• Pet care items

Be Informed – During hurricane season, it’s always a good idea to pay attention to developing storms. Pay attention to local television and radio weather broadcasts, and sign up for AlertHouston emergency notifications from the City of Houston by visiting HoustonEmergency.org/alerts/.

If you are ordered to evacuate, you should do so without delay. Evacuation information and contraflow lane maps out of Houston are available on the Texas Department of Transportation website.

In the event of an emergency which requires evacuation, some individuals may need additional assistance leaving their homes. If you need help evacuating, dial 2-1-1 to register in advance for a ride. You can also 211texas.org.

Viewing, discussing preparedness video could make a big difference when an actual hurricane hits.

“Are you ready?” That question truly demands an answer from Gulf Coast area residents who have often struggled through weather-related disasters. That’s also why there is a 15-minute DVD, titled “Are You Ready?” that is available to advise and prepare families and individuals on how to respond to and recover from the effects of any disaster. We are in hurricane season now so taking the time to be prepared is important.

The DVD contains versions in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese. It also contains captioned versions in each language and an American Sign Language version for the hearing-impaired. Area residents can view the “Are You Ready?” DVD online or order a free copy at www.readyhoustontx.gov. Along with offering the DVD, the www.readyhoustontx.gov website provides quick access to a variety of local and national information about disaster preparedness.

Make time to watch something useful for the whole family. Remember: the key to staying safe throughout the course of a hurricane is knowing what to do before and during the crisis and knowing where to turn for help. Now is the time to prepare before a storm is in our region!

For more information contact the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management at 713.884.4500, or visit www.readyhoustontx.gov and www.houstonoem.net.