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Factors such as areas prone to weather risks to the angle of a hurricane to the time of day to even one’s ZIP code are considered in determining when and how to evacuate, Galveston’s Chief of Emergen- cy Management Mark Morgan said. “What we try to do is evacuate ahead of the tropical force winds as they come ashore; we don’t go by the eye, we go outward to where the tropical force winds start,” Morgan said. “So, we want to time our evacuation to whenever those winds start to hit the shoreline. We want to make sure everybody is out by then.” When conditions become favorable for the formation of a hurricane, the National Weather Service will issue coastal residents a “hurricane watch.” Should this weather pattern evolve into a hurri- cane, a city’s mayor or the county judge decides wheth- er to call for an evacuation. A decision to order an evacuation would typically be made 48 to 72 hours in ad- vance of tropical force winds reaching the shore, Morgan said. During severe weather, a city can call for either a voluntary or mandatory evacuation. Typically, a vol- untary evacuation applies to residents in areas susceptible to weather risks — such as the Bolivar Peninsula or the West End of Galveston, Mor- gan said. “What that would do is allow folks to leave the West End and lower areas and stay in hotels or stay with family members up in the higher elevations,” Morgan said. “That would be a scenario where it would be a tropical storm, tropical depression or a very low Category 1 hurri- cane. Anything higher than that, we would probably call for a mandatory evacuation of the entire island.” A mandatory evacuation would be ordered for more severe weather that would threaten everyone in a city. Under a mandatory evacua- tion, evacuations take place in stages based on residents’ respective ZIP codes — with those living in ZIP codes closest to the coast and with the lowest elevations evacuat- ing first, and so on. “If we don’t use the proper stages in the evacuation process, then everyone ahead of us is going to clog up the roadways, and then will be stuck on the Gulf Coast with no way to get out,” Morgan said. Once people reach the mainland, there are three primary evacuation routes in Galveston County away from the Gulf Coast: Interstate 45, state Highway 146 or state Highway 6. Bolivar Penin- sula residents can take state Highway 87 to state Highway 124. Those particular routes are recommended, but aren’t mandatory, Morgan said. “We learned during Hurri- cane Rita that there are just too many people to get out, so you have to allow folks to go the way that they know how to go as the best way to get out,” Morgan said. In some cases, evacuations can stall traffic for several hours, so it is recommended evacuees should have a full tank of gas and any supplies needed for a long road trip. Depending on the circum- stances, traffic flow on south- bound lanes may be reversed to allow more people to escape an incoming storm. Knowing the rules for evacuations key during hurricane season “If we don’t use the proper stages in the evacua- tion process, then everyone ahead of us is going to clog up the roadways, and then will be stuck on the Gulf Coast with no way to get out.” MARK MORGAN, Galveston’s Chief of Emergency Management STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News file photo Residents in boats make their way up Deats Road in Dickinson on Aug. 28, 2017 after historic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey.12 | The Daily News | Hurricane Preparedness | 2020 By JOHN WAYNE FERGUSON The Daily News It has always been a good idea to know where you’re going to go if the Big One enters the Gulf of Mexico. One of the most consistent pieces of advice from experts and public safety officials before each of the Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1, is to have an evacuation plan about where you will go if you have to abandon the coast as a hurri- cane approaches. In the age of coronavi- rus, when people are being urged to stay apart from each other as much as possible, the warning about having an evacuation plan in place hasn’t gone away — but heeding that has gotten a more complicated. “Hurricane Season 2020 is going to be a little different,” Galveston County Judge Mark Henry said. TAKE STOCK But the headline advice about getting ready for the hurricane season remains the same as it ever was, Henry said. “We encourage everyone to take the necessary steps to prepare themselves and their family; make that plan, build that kit, and stay informed,” he said. Evacuation plans and emergency shelter options are among the most import- ant things that the county and state agencies have made plans for this year. If an evacuation is needed, the state has promised to send extra buses to evacua- tion hubs so that people can be kept a safe distance from each other while being driven out of the county. Galveston County has agreements with the city of Austin to provide shelters for some evacuees, and, in May, emergency management offi- cials from the county and the city of Austin, as well as the Red Cross, which runs hurri- cane shelters, met to discuss what emergency shelters will look like if they’re needed. It’s possible the Red Cross would attempt to use hotels and motels for sheltering before using facilities such as convention centers or gymna- siums, said Marty McKellips, the CEO of the American Red Cross in Central Texas. “The intent is to not put them in large shelters where there’s social distancing,” McKellips said. “If it’s pos- sible, our choice will be to always put them in hotels or dormitories or campsites or someplace where families will have individual space.” Shelters are normally meant for people who have special circumstances and don’t have the means to find Despite COVID, planning and evacuation still the order of the day A hurricane evacuation route sign at the split of state Highway 146 and state Highway 3 near La Marque. Stuart Villanueva/The Daily News2020 | Hurricane Preparedness | The Daily News | 13 another place to stay during a hurri- cane evacuation, McKellips said. She urged people who are able to do so to find other places to shelter — whether that means arranging with inland rela- tives or booking lodging in advance. STOCK UP It’s also important to ensure you’re stocked up with proper supplies ahead of the storm season, officials said, and to take the virus into consid- eration when preparing your hurri- cane kit. In early May, weeks before the beginning of the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, the Federal Emergency Management Administra- tion published guidance about how to prepare for hurricanes during the pandemic. The agency suggested buying extra hand sanitizer, cleaning materials and face coverings as part of emergen- cy kits. Stocking up early, if you’re able will help ease shortages in the aftermath of a major storm, said Carlos Castillo, FEMA’s acting deputy admin- istrator of resilience. “As you prepare, be mindful that not everyone can afford to respond by stocking up on necessities,” Castillo said. “For those who can afford it, making essential purchases in advance will allow for longer time periods be- tween shopping trips and help to pro- tect those who are unable to procure essentials in advance of the pandemic and must shop more frequently.” Some models published in advance of the start of the season are predict- ing higher tropical cyclone activity than in 2020. One forecast, published by Penn State’s Earth System Science Center, predicted that would be be- tween 15 and 24 named storms in the Atlantic this year. Last year, the hurricane season pro- duced 18 named storms. Of those, six became hurricanes, and three became major hurricanes. In Texas, the most significant storm of 2019 was Tropical Storm Imelda, which made landfall southwest of Galveston on Sept. 17, just two hours after it was officially named. The worst of the storm missed Galveston County, but caused devastating flooding over three days in an area between Hous- ton and Beaumont. The last storm to severely affect Gal- veston County was Hurricane Harvey, which flooded tens of thousands of homes in August 2017, after making landfall south of Galveston County. Kevin M. Cox/The Daily News file photo Northbound traffic on Interstate 45 in League City backs up south of the FM 518 bridge as Galveston County residents flee the path of Hurricane Ike in 2008. 14 | The Daily News | Hurricane Preparedness | 20202020 | Hurricane Preparedness | The Daily News | 15 DICKINSON • To get the quickest, most up-to-date information when it comes to hurricanes and evacuations, Dickinson police encourage residents to like both the city and police department’s Facebook pages. • Residents also are encouraged to visit the city’s website, www. ci.dickinson.tx.us, where they can sign up for DickinsonCONNECT. This resource will give residents access to important information in a timely and accurate fashion through phone calls, text messages, email and a user-friendly app. • The main number for the police department is 281-337-4700. FRIENDSWOOD • The city will communicate through multiple sources if a mandatory or voluntary evacuation is issued. Friendswood residents should register for the CodeRED system so that they can receive phone calls, text messages and emails from the city at www.ci.friendswood.tx.us/cns. • The city will inform residents when it is safe to return to the city. Stay tuned to local media, city social media accounts and register for Code RED to get the latest information. • The city’s main number is 281-996-3200, and the Office of Emergency Management is 281-996-3335. GALVESTON • Galveston residents who will need a ride or do not have their own transportation during a hurricane evacuation can call 409-797- 3701 to register for the city’s evacuation transportation program. • Residents can sign up for city of Galveston’s emergency notification system online by visiting www.cityofgalveston. org/196/Emergency-Notification-System. The city’s emergency management department also posts updates on Twitter at @GalvestonOEM or on Facebook at Facebook.com/GalvestonOEM. KEMAH • Kemah residents must register at www.kemah-tx.gov to set up preferences for the Blackboard Connect system. In the case of a hurricane, alerts would be provided via home phone, cell, text message or email. This is the city’s primary direct communication tool but requires residents to register. • To contact a staff member of the Kemah Emergency Management, contact Police Chief Walter Gant at 281-334-5414 or Fire Chief Robert Steckler at 281-538-5727. LA MARQUE For general, nonemergency, emergency management questions, residents may call 409-938-9225. During an emergency, the city prefers that residents utilize the city’s website, www.cityof lamarque.org, as it will be updated on a regular basis. Visit https:// lamarqueconnect.bbcportal.com to sign up for emergency phone notifications. LEAGUE CITY • League City residents can register with the city’s mass notification system to receive alerts if a storm impacts the area by visiting www.leaguecity.com. • The city’s website, social media sites (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and Comcast Channel 16 also will provide residents with the critical information needed during emergency situations. • City officials encourage residents who would need evacuation assistance during a hurricane to call 211 and register with the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry program early. • League City’s nonemergency number for the League City Office of Emergency Management is 281-554-1300. • Additional information is available at www.readylc.com. SANTA FE • Residents may sign up to receive phone notifications via Blackboard Connect by visiting www.cityofsantafetx. bbcportal.com or by calling 409-925-6412. The city uses the notification system to update people about road closures, community events and storm and weather updates. TEXAS CITY • Residents can sign up to receive emergency notifications through the city’s website, www.texas-city-tx.org or by calling 409-948-3111. • Buses transporting people between the county and the shelter do pickups in Texas City. Residents can call 409-948- 3111 to learn where the buses will arrive. UNINCORPORATED GALVESTON COUNTY • For information on hurricane preparedness in all unincorporated areas in the county, contact Galveston County Emergency Management at www.gcoem.org or by calling 281- 309-5002 or reach the 24/7 hotline at 888-384-2000. Find the department on Facebook and Twitter for emergency updates. • Visit www.gcoem.org to sign up for transportation in the event of a hurricane if you are without a vehicle or have medical considerations. If you know of neighbors or friends who may need transportation, encourage them to sign up. You are not required to take the assistance, but it will ensure you will get help if needed. • Sign up for the county Blackboard Connect system, which will provide alerts in case of a hurricane by phone, text and email. The tool is the best way to get emergency alerts. • Residents in San Leon and Bacliff can contact their water department to sign up for the notification systems for interrupted service in a hurricane and other water notices. • County emergency management officials say communities in low-lying areas of the county should be especially aware of the need to evacuate. Those areas often hardest hit by a hurricane include Bayou Vista, Bolivar and San Leon. Many people in those areas stayed during Hurricane Ike in 2008 even after the Bolivar Ferry stopped running and water service was halted. More than 120 had to be evacuated in Bolivar. Emergency management officials said residents should take notice of those major closures as a sign it is necessary to leave when a hurricane may be on its way. 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Trump said he was tapping the Defense Production Act to order American businesses to manu- facture and send supplies, such as testing kits, ventilators and masks, to hospi- tals preparing to be overwhelmed by a wave of coro- navirus cases. But he gave conflict- ing accounts as to when he officially invoked the rarely used order — and even if he had ultimately done so — and did not specify which companies he was marshaling for the effort. Trump had said earlier in the week he would tap the act Trump angrily defends his handling of pandemic DONALD TRUMP After a city order shutting down attractions on an island that attracts 7.2 million visitors a year, how will the tourism industry fare? CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK | FOOD & SUPPLIES Grocery supply chain will be OK, expert says COMING SOON CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK | HELPING OTHERS Hundreds flock to food See VIRUS » A7 now more than ever, be in the know subscribe for just $19.50/month save 82% off the newsstand price 409.683.5260 | galvnews.com/subscribeThere’s nothing natural about a disaster. © 2019 Allstate Insurance Co. 12233400 The O'Donohoe Agency 409-744-1888 5928 Stewart Rd. seanodonohoe@allstate.com allstate.com/seanodonohoe As your local Allstate Agent, I understand how a disaster can turn your world upside down. I am here to help you through the recovery process and get your life back to normal as quickly as possible. Contact me today to learn more. LIVE UNITED CALL 2-1-1 REGISTER TODAY, BEFORE A STORM IS ON ITS WAY! If you live in a hurricane evacuation zone and you will need assistance to evacuate before a storm, call 2-1-1 to register in advance for a ride. Call 2-1-1 •If you have a disability or special health care need and you require assistance to evacuate GIVE ADVOCATE VOLUNTEER •If you do not have a vehicle and you have no one else to help you evacuate •If you want to register and you need to check if you live in an evacuation zone 2020 | Hurricane Preparedness | The Daily News | 19Next >