STAFFORD’S PREPARATION FOR
THE 2009 HURRICANE SEASON
The hurricane season is upon us. Officially beginning June 1 and running through November 30, the hurricane season stirs strong interest and concern for those of us in Stafford. You are encouraged to avail yourself of this useful information. Since our circumstances may differ from the many communities in the Houston area, the information is focused specifically on Stafford and its citizens.
Being prepared and educating yourself about what you can do to help yourself and others are keys to success and survival.  All it takes is one storm to create a disaster. The lessons learned during Hurricane Ike were many, and memories and visual reminders of its impact remain. The City of Stafford was very lucky to have received the damage it did. Before crashing ashore over Galveston Island on Saturday morning, September 13, as a strong Category 2 hurricane, Hurricane Ike turned one last time on the morning of September 12, sending the Hurricane’s eye 10-20 miles further East down the coast of Galveston. Had that not happened, we would have seen more damage. Still, we lost power for more than 5 days.
Right after Hurricane Ike, Stafford Emergency Management set up a countywide Point of Distribution (POD) site at Southern Ice Cream Corporation on Greenland Drive in Stafford. Owners Mike and Sharon Johnston dedicated their facility to ensure our community could meet our basic needs. Together with many citizens in and around our community we served food, water and ice to over 150,000 people! Stafford Emergency Management promises to provide you with the same commitment and service to ensure your health and safety.
History teaches that lack of hurricane awareness and lack of preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. Hurricane hazards come in many forms: storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. This means it is important for your family to have plans for these hazards. The most important thing anyone should do when facing a hurricane threat is to use common sense.
When there’s a major storm in the Gulf of Mexico, monitor the media and listen for instructions from the Stafford Office of Emergency Management and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Management. Do not take tropical storms for granted. Even slow moving tropical storms can be deadly. Hurricanes are very unpredictable as we saw firsthand with Hurricane Ike. To prepare homes for the arrival of potential storms, Stafford Emergency Management suggests obtaining items needed to board up homes and windows. Other precautions include reviewing insurance policies for protection against wind and flood damage and checking out the latest evacuation routes. In making a disaster plan, establish escape routes and places to meet. Get the children involved and help your family understand each member’s role. Have emergency telephone numbers handy. Being prepared takes the fear out of a situation and puts you in control.
Fort Bend County is a pass-through county, meaning there are no planned shelters in the county. The City of Stafford will make a shelter of last resort available to citizens and others who need it, as was done during Hurricane Ike. However, you are encouraged to reinforce and fortify your homes should you choose to remain in your homes. Whether staying in your home or utilizing a shelter, you are strongly urged to prepare your home and have the recommended items listed, in quantities necessary for your family to ride out the storm and its aftermath. Also, whether evacuating or sheltering in place, pet owners should remember to provide for their animals. It is imperative that pets be kept indoors and out of the elements. If your pet is brought to a shelter, you must provide food and a suitable crate for it to be housed in. An animal that does not have a crate will not be allowed in a shelter.
The City of Stafford, City Council and its Emergency Management Team – headed by Mayor Leonard Scarcella as Emergency Management Director, Police Chief Bonny Krahn as Director of Emergency Services; Jennifer Taylor as Emergency Management Coordinator, and composed of first responders including police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, department heads, and all necessary City employees - work hard every day of the year to prepare for the worst. Our City is here for you: planning and preparing for evacuations and sheltering for disasters of all kinds.
EVACUATION OF THE CITY WILL MOST LIKELY NOT BE THE COURSE RECOMMENDED BY THE SEMT. This determination is based on the assessment that Stafford is some 60 miles inland from the coast and, therefore, not considered at risk to storm surge. In view of this, there is a substantially reduced risk for loss of life or injury by remaining in the City. Additionally, hazards and difficulties may be encountered for those taking to the highways as was illustrated when 2½ million people evacuated on Texas roads before the arrival of Hurricane Rita in 2005. In spite of an improved program, there are still problems with a mass evacuation, especially for us in Stafford!
COMMUNICATION WILL BE OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE. This extends to communications from the City to you and from you to the City. There is the probability that all electrical power devices may be inoperable as a result of the downed power lines. It also is highly possible that telephone lines and other communication sources, including cell phone towers, may be incapacitated by the fierce winds and barrage of lightning. As a result, communication with emergency services such as 9-1-1 may be extremely restricted due to a large volume of calls, thus, making it particularly difficult to get through to the dispatchers in the event you or a family member has an emergency.
Under the anticipated circumstances, citizens will be able to receive official and emergency information by the use of battery-operated AM radios. The official emergency radio station for the City is AM 1160 CITY OF STAFFORD.
If businesses and residents haven’t already done so, go to the City of Stafford website at www.cityofstafford.com and sign up for direct notification of disasters and life-saving information through our free notification systemCodeRED.
The City has been working with other agencies and entities to assist the incapacitated, disabled, and seriously ill. In the event you or a family member fall within this group, contact the City well before a storm strikes so that you may be advised of a procedure for providing for this person. Caretakers should immediately register these persons with the City and the statewide 2-1-1 service.
This information hopefully will provide you with the insight that your SEMT has into the potential dangers and devastation that are likely to result from a major hurricane hitting Stafford and the best way of coping with a disaster of this nature. It also should be recognized, and hopefully is comforting, that your Mayor, City Council, and the Emergency Management Team are fully prepared to take all appropriate actions to protect you in the eventuality that one of these storms should strike. Also, we will not hesitate to ask for assistance from federal, state, and local officials and others.
A government does not take care of a community; a community takes care of a community as was proven before, during and after Hurricane Ike. The City of Stafford is your community, and we look forward to working with you hand and hand through this hurricane season. If you have concerns and questions about what to do or how to prepare, please call Stafford Emergency Management at 281-261-3950. Also, communicate with us if you have ideas or resources we should know about to help you or those around you in a disaster. Working together we will survive anything!
Be Prepared: Make a Plan, Build a Kit, Stay Informed!
RECOMMENDED EMERGENCY SUPPLY LIST
- Battery-powered AM radio tuned to local station AM 1160 CITY OF STAFFORD
- Fueled vehicles
- Water: Fill bathtubs with water for general use.
- Distilled (Bottled) Water: for drinking for 5 days (1 gallon per person per day)
- Non-perishable Foods: canned meat, fish, fruit, vegetables; bread; dried fruit; canned soups and canned milk; powdered or single serve drinks
- Supplies: 1 flashlight per person; portable battery-powered lanterns; battery-operated clock; extra batteries, including hearing aids; ice chest and ice; cash; First Aid Kit: aspirin, antibiotic cream, etc.; mosquito repellent; waterproof matches; disposable plates, cups, utensils; water purification tablets; manual can opener; keys
- Personal Supplies: prescriptions (1-month supply); photo copies of prescriptions; toilet paper; soap and detergent; toiletries; bedding: pillows and sleeping bags; changes of clothing; raincoats and work gloves; extra glasses or contacts and contact lenses solution; entertainment: books, magazines, card games, high tech devices
- Other Necessities: tools: hammer, wrenches, screw drivers, nails, saw; trash bags; cleaning supplies; plastic drop cloth; mosquito netting; ABC-rated fire extinguisher; masking or duct tape; outdoor-rated extension cords; cell phone; line-based phone
- Baby Needs: disposable diapers, formula, food, medication, clothing, blankets
- Documents: All important documents and papers should be stored in waterproof containers.
- Pet Supplies: dry and canned food for 2 weeks, water (plenty of water for each pet), litter box supplies, traveling cage (It is recommended to board with a veterinarian or local humane society.)
These are recommended minimums. If you have the resources to prepare for more than 5 days, please do so.
Staying Informed On Tropical Weather Conditions:
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