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Hurricane season start good reminder to prepare for unexpectedThe official beginning of the 2009 hurricane season on June 1 should serve as a reminder for Texans and others to make preparations to protect themselves, their families and their property, said a Texas AgriLife Extension Service expert. "While hurricanes have a season, most disasters don't," said Janie Harris, housing and environment specialist for AgriLife Extension. "Still, the start of hurricane season is a good time to remind people to take steps to prepare themselves for the unexpected." Initial forecasts predict an "average" hurricane season with about 10 named storms, six of which are expected to develop into hurricanes. Additionally, the 2009 forecast from the Weather Research Center suggests a 40 percent chance of a tropical storm or hurricane making landfall in Texas this year. Harris said the cornerstone of emergency preparation is developing and practicing a family disaster plan. The plan should reflect what you will need when sheltering in place as well as what you need to take with you to evacuate. "The plan should include escape routes, utility shut-off and safety information, family communication and how to protect important documents," she said. "Most critical is to protect your family. Then plan how to protect pets, documents, and property." Harris said the plan should include a map on which to highlight escape routes when authorities give evacuation instructions. "If you live in an area prone to flooding, know where area low-water crossings are and plan your route to avoid them," she said. The plan also should take into account any special needs of family members and include caring for any pets, she said. "Perhaps the most vital part of the family plan is to pre-determine how family members can communicate with one another in case of separation," Harris said. "You can agree on a friend or relative outside the immediate area to use as a point of contact in the event of an emergency." When an emergency arises, there may not be time to gather important documents, so photocopies should be made and kept in a safe place away from the home, such as a bank safety deposit box, she said. Another option is to keep the copies in a "disaster kit" which families should prepare in advance of an emergency. Important documents may include insurance policies, driver's license or other photo identification, birth certificates, social security cards, bank and credit account information or other financial records, and a list of medications. "You may also want to keep an inventory of your home and household possessions along with these other important documents in the event there's an insurance claim," she said. Harris said a complete household inventory should include photos or video of the exterior and interior of the home, showing as much as possible of the home's features and contents. "Try to get serial numbers for the inventory, especially for the more expensive or larger household items, like major appliances and electronics," she said. Making sure property is adequately insured prior to a hurricane or other disaster is another important aspect of protecting belongings, Harris added. "People in areas prone to flooding should remember that flood is not covered on a homeowners policy and that a separate flood policy is needed," she said. "And generally it's a good idea to make sure your homeowners policy has full-replacement coverage." Harris added that prior to a hurricane strike homeowners can protect their homes by covering windows, sliding glass doors and skylights with shutters or plywood. "Put your car into the garage or another shelter if there is one," she said. "Secure any boats or trailers and tie down any furniture or loose material outside the home. Move valuables away from windows, and bring pets indoors or try and find them shelter through your local humane society. And if you evacuate, take your pets with you." For disaster preparedness, Harris also suggested stocking up on canned goods and bottled water, along with ensuring adequate supplies of medicines and first-aid items. "Every family also should have a disaster supply kit and keep it up to date," she said. The kit should contain enough supplies to take care of the immediate family for at least three days, Harris said. Some kit contents include: water, non-perishable foods, a hand-operated can opener, mouth/nose protection masks, extra clothing, first-aid kit, gloves, blankets, toiletries, battery- or hand-powered flashlight, radio, spare batteries, garbage bags, medications and hand wipes. "Once a hurricane watch is issued, be sure to listen regularly to your local TV or radio station for weather updates," she said. "Listen for evacuation information and find out the location of the closest community shelters in the event you and your family have to seek shelter immediately." Harris added that evacuees should wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes for added protection. Take at least one change of clothes for each family member. For more information on disaster preparedness, the AgriLife Extension and Texas Department of State Health Services publication "Preparing for the Unexpected" can be downloaded free. The publication is available in English or Spanish and can be found at the AgriLife Bookstore Web site, www.agrilifebookstore.com. The publication identification number is B-6178 for the English-language version; B-6178S for the Spanish-language version. Other information on emergency and disaster preparation and recovery can be found at the AgriLife Bookstore site, as well as the Texas Extension Disaster Education Network, Texas EDEN, Web site, http://texashelp.tamu.edu.
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