Officials: Severe weather can strike at any minute

March 04--It seems like rain has been the common theme in Walker County the past six months.

Hurricane Harvey got things started at the end of August and early September as record amounts of rain fall poured on Southeast Texas when the hurricane stalled over land and became a tropical storm.

Natural disasters and pop up at any time. A tornado can drop out of the sky or flash flooding can turn into a hairy situation in a matter of minutes.

That's why people in the Walker County and City of Huntsville offices of emergency management continue to stress that everyone needs to be prepared if a major storm system does move into the area.

This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week, which is sponsored by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Department of Public Safety and the National Weather Service to help local officials reduce deaths and other injuries by informing residents of how to stay safe when weather conditions turn hazardous.

"(Emergency officials) are prepared, but people in the community need to do their part in making sure everyone is safe in the event of severe weather," said Butch Davis, Walker County's emergency management coordinator. "Citizens have had experience with hurricanes, but sometimes they get tunnel vision, only thinking about preparing for those. Severe weather can strike at any time."

In severe weather situations, citizens are encouraged to monitor television and radio broadcasts for warnings and watches. A weather watch means that conditions are right for dangerous weather, while a warning means severe weather is occurring.

If a watch is issued in the area, begin to get ready. If a warning is called, take shelter immediately and carry out a severe weather preparedness plan.

Have an emergency supply kit in easy-to-carry containers with first-aid items and food and water for three days per person. Know where to evacuate if the situation calls for it and what type of shelters are the safest.

If a tornado is in the area, people can seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest level of a home, office or other building away from windows. Avoid any area with a wide, unsupported roof such as an auditorium, gym, cafeteria or theater. Also, if people are in a car when a tornado is spotted, get out of the vehicle and take shelter in a nearby building or lie flat in a ditch or ravine.

Another thing people can do to prepare for severe weather is to reduce the risk of damage to their homes.

Take care of dead trees that could be blown over during a storm, or other yard waste that can be tossed around as a result of high winds.

"High winds can cause a lot of damage to your property and put your family in danger," said John Waldo, the City of Huntsville's emergency management coordinator. "Clean up around your home so that is one less thing you have to worry about when a storm is coming."

Folks also need to know what to do when they encounter flooding conditions. If in a vehicle, drivers should turn around if they come upon a road where water is running across it and choose a different route because rushing water can float cars and could be hiding missing segments of roadbed or a missing bridge.

Lightning is also a dangerous threat and can strike from as far away as 15 to 20 miles from a storm. If caught in a lightning storm, stay inside away from windows and doors and avoid electric appliances and telephones. If outdoors, stay low to the ground and do not hold metal objects, move away from high places and avoid tall trees. If possible, get inside a vehicle.

Area residents are reminded to check out the Walker County Office of Emergency Management's Facebook page to get up-to-date information on severe weather or wildfires in the area.

List of emergency supplies

Here is a checklist of things people might need as part of their emergency supplies:

--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 and weather radio

--Flashlight with extra batteries

--Phone numbers of family and friends

--Three-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

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