Emergency Preparedness Information
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Hurricane Preparedness
Hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30. Although inland, the City of Missouri City can be affected by a hurricane. It is important that everyone prepare now for hurricane season. This information provided by the Missouri City Office of Emergency Management to help you prepare for this hurricane season.
The most important thing anyone can do is prepare a family disaster plan. Preparing in advance for a hurricane or other type of disaster is gives your family the needed time to develop a plan. Writing a disaster plan is easy and can be accomplished in a few basic steps:
- Make a plan
- Prepare a personal evacuation plan.
If you live in a flood prone area or in a home that will not sustain high winds, such as a mobile home prepare an evacuation plan. Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate and chose several places. Keep handy the telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map. Listen to NOAA weather radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
- 1 Out-of-Town Contact
Ask one out-of-town friend or relative to serve as your family's point of contact in an emergency situation. After a disaster, all family members should contact this individual to let them know where they are located, incase they become separated from the family. Make sure that all family members know the contact's phone number and email address.
- Family Communication Plan.
Be sure to create a family communications plan containing all contact information for you and your family. This plan should include work, school, and cellular phone numbers.
- Special Needs Plan.
It is important that any family member with a disability or special need is also considered in your family's plan. Store all support health items in a designated place, so that they are quickly assessable.
- Pet Plan.
The State of Texas is a "pet friendly" state. This means that if you or your family must evacuate your home due to an emergency or disaster situation, your family will also be allowed to transport all family pets. It is important to have a collar and leash with identification for each pet, as well as one pet carrier/taxi per pet. Also, bring your pets' vaccination certificates and any medications they are currently taking. Consult with your local veterinarian about micro-chipping your family pets prior to an emergency. This will allow your pet to be scanned and identified anywhere within the United States.
- Prepare a Kit
Once a hurricane is bearing down on Texas or once the rains start flooding, you will not have enough time to shop or search for emergency supplies. Gathering the supplies in advance will ensure you have the proper tools to evacuate or shelter in place.
- Food and Water (Plan for at least 3 days)
- At least 1 to 2 gallons of water per person per day (plan for at least 3 days)
- Remember to include water for pets.
- Stock food that does not require refrigeration or cooking (ready-to-eat canned meats, soups, fruits and vegetable)
- Canned milk and juice boxes
- High energy foods such as: peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, and trail mix
- Baby food or formula (if needed)
- Food for people with special dietary needs (if needed)
- Pet food (if needed)
- Cooking/Eating Supplies
- Non-electric can opener
- Cups, plates, utensils
- Cooking tools
- Paper plates
- Plastic cups
- Plastic utensils
- Fuel for camping stove
- Tools and Emergency Supplies
- Scissors
- Battery powered flashlight
- Batter powered radio
- Extra batteries
- Matches (in water proof container)
- Whistle
- Fire extinguisher
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape
- Dust masks
- Cash/Credit Cards/Travelers checks
- Maps
- Clothing and Bedding
- Blankets/sleeping bags
- Pillows
- Changes of clothes for each person
- Sturdy shoes/boots
- Work gloves
- Jackets/coats (if weather warrants)
- Clothing and Bedding
- Diapers/wipes
- Baby bottles and supplies
- Formula
- Baby food
- Hygiene Supplies
- Soap and hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper
- Garbage bags
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Feminine supplies
- Paper towels
- Towel/washcloth
- Shaving equipment
- Cleaning Supplies
- Liquid detergent
- Garbage bags with ties
- Plastic bucket
- Disinfectant
- Chlorine bleach
- Special Needs
- Prescriptions
- Denture needs
- Extra glasses
- Hearing aides
- Dietary concerns
- Mobility needs
- Pets
- Pet collar and leash with pet identification (if needed)
- Pet carrier (if needed)
- Pet water and food bowls (if needed)
- Copy of vaccinations certificate
- Photo of pet
- Important Documents
- Wills
- Insurance policies
- Contracts
- Deeds
- Stocks and bonds
- Passports
- Social security cards
- Immunization records
- Bank account information
- Inventory of valuable household goods
- Important phone numbers
- Other records (birth or marriage certificates)
- Be informed
Listen to radio and TV news and weather. It is a good idea to have a NOAA weather radio. Once a hurricane watch is issued for the Houston-Galveston region, fill your vehicle you will use to evacuate with fuel.
- Practice
Quiz your family members each year to see what they remember of your plan. Every year check you supply kit and update your plan as needed. Replace the stored water, food, and batteries about every 6 months.
Evacuation Information
Mandatory Evacuation Zones are established based on the threat of flooding due to storm surge. Since Missouri City and Fort Bend County is not at risk for storm surge, Missouri City will not be part of the mandatory evacuation of coastal communities.
Fort Bend County and Missouri City have been designated by the State of Texas as a "Pass-through" County. This means that coastal communities who are designated as "Evacuation" counties will pass through the county along designated evacuation routes to designated "Shelter" communities. The designated evacuation route through Missouri City is Highway 6.
Should I evacuate?
Unless there is a threat so great to Missouri City that damage from the hurricane will be strong enough to cause major damage to the majority of structures in the City, Missouri City will only order a voluntary evacuation, meaning if you want to leave, you should do so.
A voluntary evacuation should be considered mandatory if:
- You live in a low-lying area that has a history of flooding.
- You live in a structure that is unable to withstand winds of greater than 75 miles per hour (such as a manufactured housing or housing that is significantly older).
- Due to medical reasons, you are unable to be without electricity for an extended period of time.
If I decide to evacuate, where should I go?
Hurricane Evacuation Map
It is understood that the majority of Texans will choose to evacuate to hotels or relative outside of the area at risk. However, for those who have nowhere to go, the State of Texas has developed a State Evacuation and Sheltering Plan where individuals can stay in shelters at designated communities who have developed plans to shelter large populations in a shelter hub system. Evacuees will enter the host county and will then register at a reception center and then be assigned to a specific shelter in the community that will meet their needs.
If you do not feel safe in your home, Missouri City Office of Emergency Management strongly encourages you to leave and evacuate to one of the shelter hub communities.
What if I have special needs?
Special needs people include those who are disabled, ill, or on a low income with no transportation. Even though Missouri City is not within a mandatory evacuation zone, residents are still eligible for evacuation transportation assistance. Emergency Management Departments are collecting information on those who will need assistance evacuating. Please register your information with 2-1-1 so we know who you are.
What if I have a pet?
The state recognizes that many evacuees will arrive at shelters with their pets. Host communities have been directed by the State to make accommodations for these pets. This, however, does not mean that your pet will be allowed to be with you in the shelter. The only pets that will be universally accepted at shelters will be service animals such as guide dogs, dogs that assist the hearing impaired, or dogs for wheelchair-bound persons. Some shelters may be able to provide space for pets in covered, exterior corridors, or in an adjacent support building where pets on leashes and in carriers will be temporarily housed. In the case that the shelters are unable to accommodate pets, owners may also be referred to local kennels or animal shelters. A list of shelters will be found at reception centers in host communities. Larger animals (horses, cattle, etc.) or exotic pets (snakes, spiders, etc.) will most likely be housed in an alternative location than the shelter, at fairgrounds or similar accommodations. Pet owners are encouraged to bring their own leashes and crates, feeding dishes, food, and medications. Owners also should provide immunization records and tags for their animals.
The following links may contain more helpful information.