HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE 2021 THE OFFICIAL GALVESTON COUNTYIs your home ready for the next storm? Let us inspect it now and return annually to keep it STRONG HOME ready! www.AranFranklin.com/StrongHome (409) 935-5200 | 501 S. Noble Rd, Texas City CLICK, CALL OR COME BY TO ENROLL Affordable peace of mind Annual inspectionsFind & assess problems Fortify before the storm starting at Three inspection levels to chose from Starts at $300 annually, with monthly payments available Ask the Engineer Included in ALL inspection packages! Foundation, Grading, Windows, Doors, Siding, Drone Roof View, Fireplace, Stairways, Decks, Balconies, Porches, Stamped Report Essential Essential AND Plumbing, Water, FLIR imaging, Electrical, Attic Framing Essential+ Premium Essential+ AND Appliances, GFCI Well, Drainage, Irrigation & Sprinklers Pool & Spa Included in all packages: Recommendations for needed maintenance & fortifications PLUS priority inspections after a storm!6 Stay connected with The Daily News 10 The Big One is always around the corner 14 The 2020 hurricane season offers several hard lessons 18 Officials make plans to evacuate quickly with COVID safety 22 Hurricane evacuation ZIP zones 23 Hurricane 411 28 It’s time to restock, get ready for hurricane season 32 Anatomy of a hurricane 33 Hurricane intensity 35 Prepping pets for hurricanes 36 In a warming world, hurricanes weaken more slowly after landfall 40 Deadliest and costliest storms 43 Stay safe and sanitary when systems are out 40 Deadliest and costliest storms 45 Debris-strewn roads no problem/How to deal with mold contamination contents4 | The Daily News | Hurricane Preparedness | 2021We are in the business of helping people. We specialize in Homeowners, Windstorm & Hail and Flood Insurance including a new Windstorm Included Home Policy for Texas Gulf Coast Homeowners. How can we help you today? Brad Spurgeon Insurance Agency Inc. 1118 14th Street N Texas City, TX 77590 409-945-4746 www.privatewindstorm.comFrom staff reports O ne of the most important items needed to survive and recover from a hurricane is information. For 179 years, The Galves- ton County Daily News has been the region’s top news source for local infor- mation on everything from evacuation calls to recovery efforts after the storm. Information from The Daily News is available in print, online, social media, television and radio. Much has changed since Hurricane Ike made landfall in 2008. In particular for The Daily News, information was provided not just by the printed edition of the newspaper and online at galv news.com, but the staff’s use of social media provided needed information for residents before, during and after the storm. Reporters’ tweets and Facebook posts became the lifeline for many Galveston County residents. That will continue in the event of another Ike-like storm. Updates, as well as vital information, will be available online at galvnews. com. In the event of a storm, news and information on galvnews.com will be available to all readers regardless of subscription status. Subscribers benefit because they will receive regular email updates and breaking news alerts. To get instant updates from reporters and editors who will be in the field, make sure you like The Daily News’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ galvnews and follow its Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/galvnews. Readers can help in the coverage by making public postings of news tips, photos, videos and questions to their Facebook or Twitter accounts using the hashtags #GalvNews. Thanks to the vast reach of Houston television and radio outlets, The Daily News also has long-standing partner- ships with KHOU-TV Channel 11 and News Radio 740 AM KTRH to provide regular updates on Galveston County storm and recovery news. Because a storm can disrupt home delivery of the printed edition of The Daily News and because many of the newspaper’s readers may have evacu- ated before a major storm, the printed edition will be available at select drop-off locations across Galveston County. A listing of those locations will be provided and announced once the storm has passed. Stay connected with The Daily News How to handle your subscription during a hurricane evacuation • During a mandatory evacua- tion, all deliveries will be halted. It is not necessary to call to stop your newspaper delivery. • During a voluntary evacua- tion, you should call in to place your newspaper delivery on hold. Upon your return, you can email or call to resume delivery. • While evacuated, you can stay up-to-date by visiting www. galvnews.com and following The Daily News on Facebook and Twitter. • Activate your digital access before a storm. This will ensure you can view all of the exclusive updates, stories and photos available on www.galvnews. com with your computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet. • Once the mandatory evacu- ation has been lifted, The Daily News will work vigorously to resume your delivery. • The most efficient method to contact the circulation depart- ment after a storm is through email. For assistance to activate your digital access or for general inquires regarding your sub- scription, contact the circulation department at 409-683-5201 or circulation@galvnews.com. 6 | The Daily News | Hurricane Preparedness | 2021YOU’RE READY FOR THE STORM. HAVE INSURANCE Have both windstorm and flood insurance. If you have a TWIA policy, be aware that it only covers wind and hail damage. Talk to your insurance agent about the coverage level that is right for you. AVOID SURPRISES Read your policy before a storm hits. Understanding how you’re covered will help you navigate the claims process. Verify your contact information, know your deductible, and understand your endorsements. SECURE YOUR PROPERTY Don’t delay general maintenance to your roof or property. A little preparation now can go a long way in reducing property damage _ install storm shutters and roof straps, trim trees and clear gutters, and reinforce the garage door. After a hurricane, your recovery process may be complex, including managing claims, coordinating disaster relief, and finding the right contractors. WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY: Protect your home and your family. Now is the time to prepare. For more information visit www.twia.org/galveston ARE YOU READY FOR THE RECOVERY?Next >