Hurricane season officially begins June 1 and continues through November 30.

References

• 2012 Hurricane Preparedness Guide – Brazoria County
• 2012 Hurricane Guide Workshop Edition
• Preparing Your Community

Hurricane Evacuation Zones – Brazoria/Galveston Counties

Evacuation orders will come from our city officials. Evacuation will be based on zip codes. When that call comes, be prepared to leave immediately as your zone is called. City officials make decisions to evacuate 36-48 hours before a storm makes landfall. Hurricanes are extremely unpredictable and can become more dangerous in a matter of hours. It is not safe to wait. Plan to leave early if an evacuation order has been given. Map

2-1-1

Residents with special health care needs (including those who are disabled or medically fragile) who live in an evacuation zone and do not have friends, neighbors, or family to help in an evacuation should register for a ride in advance by dialing 2-1-1. Operators answering the phones at 2-1-1 are prepared to help you register for transportation and special assistance now. Do not wait until a storm is in the Gulf to register for assistance. This service is for people who cannot drive themselves or make transportation arrangements. You may also email your information to jhawkins@ci.pearland.tx.us. Please forward this information to any other individual who may need assistance.

Shelters

You may evacuate to any city you choose. Brazoria County residents have been assigned to Belton, Texas for public shelters. If you do not have hotel reservations or family you can stay with, you may evacuate to the public shelters.

Should you choose to stay, please remember there are no official emergency shelters in Pearland and emergency crews will be unable to assist you during the storm. The Red Cross cannot open shelters until after a storm.

Emergency Information

During an emergency, Pearland residents will be supplied all pertinent local information on radio station 740 KTRH AM. Another source of information is the City’s website at www.cityofpearland.com. The Pearland Office of Emergency Management (2010A Old Alvin Road, 281.652.1954) offers a number of brochures and information booklets on hurricane safety – including what to do before, during, and after a hurricane.

Citizens can also access information from the following websites:

•  http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem — Governor’s Division Of Emergency Management
•  http://www.spc.noaa.gov — NOAA Storm Prediction Center
• http://www.srh.noaa.gov — National Weather Service, Southern Region (Texas)
• http://www.nhc.noaa.gov — National Hurricane Center
• http://www.redcross.org — American Red Cross
• http://www.fema.gov — Federal Emergency Management Agency

Emergency Preparedness Tips:

Prepare emergency supplies and copies of important documents before hurricane season begins. Also, plan for your supplies to last three to seven days.

• Store supplies in easy-to-carry containers
• First-aid kit
• Extra prescription medications, written copies of prescriptions, other special medical items
• Important documents and records, photo IDs, proof of residence, information you may need to process insurance claims
• Cash (power outages mean banks and ATMs may be unavailable)
• Battery-operated radio
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Phone numbers of family and friends
• Road maps, a travel plan, hotel reservations
• 3 – 7 day supply of non-perishable food, one gallon of bottled water per person per day
• Coolers for food and ice storage, paper plates, plastic utensils
• Manual can opener, knife, tools, booster cables, fire extinguisher, duct tape, tarp, rope
• Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags and extra clothing
• Toilet paper, cleanup supplies, personal hygiene products
• Eyeglasses, sunglasses, hearing aids
• Special supplies needed for babies, older adults or pets
• Extra keys

The Federal Insurance Administration cautions everyone to double-check policies to make sure they’re covered for flood damage. There is a 30-day waiting period before a flood insurance policy goes into effect. Home and content damage is not normally covered by a standard homeowner’s insurance policy if the adjuster determines flooding.