< PreviousBy JOHN WAYNE FERGUSON The Daily News Last year could have been The Big One. In August, Hurricane Laura was bearing down the western shores of the Gulf of Mexico, and it looked like a monster. As it grew into a Category 4 storm, the potential threat to Galveston looked so severe island offi- cials called the first mandato- ry evacuation in more than a decade. Laura ultimately turned north and slammed into the Louisiana coast. But the closest call for Galveston in recent years brought a reminder of timeless advice that’s repeated every hurri- cane season: have a plan on where you’re going before it’s too late. Like last year, experts advise people to consider not only hurricanes but the pandemic while making emergency plans. While cases of COVID-19 have decreased in early 2021, the public health emergency isn’t over, and there are still extra things to consider during the public health emergency. TAKE STOCK The headline advice about getting ready for hurricane season remains the same as it ever was, officials said. Ev- eryone should make a plan, build an emergency kit and stay informed. State, county and federal officials have published evac- uation plans on where and when residents should go in case an evacuation is called. Some plans are more specific than others. In Galveston, for instance, the city has a desig- nated evacuation site where people who don’t have their own transportation off the island can meet with buses for transportation. If your city doesn’t have a pre-arranged plan where to get evacuation assistance, you should make sure to sign up for local emergency alerts that will give you informa- tion during a storm. A list of emergency alert signups is available at gcoem.org/ mass-notification-alerts. Keep in mind, if you evac- uate on publicly provided buses, you won’t have much choice on where to go or the The Big One is always around the corner JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News photos ABOVE: High water from Tropical Storm Beta’s storm surge covers 25th Street at The Strand in Galveston on Sept. 21, 2020. BELOW: Galveston residents wait to be evacuated from the island at the Island Community Center on Aug. 25, 2020. The city transported 900 residents to shelters in Central Texas after city officials Aug. 25 called for a mandatory evacuation ahead of Hurricane Laura. 10 | The Daily News | Hurricane Preparedness | 2021JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News Christopher Rose, left, and Ashley Vallair wait to board an evacuation bus at the Island Community Center in Galveston on Aug. 25, 2020. The city transported 900 residents to shelters in Central Texas after city officials Aug. 25 called for a mandatory evacuation ahead of Hurricane Laura. conditions you stay in. Galveston County has agreements with the city of Austin to house evacuees in partnership with the Red Cross. Traditionally, shelters are set up in large spaces, like a convention center. But last year, because of the virus, officials arranged for evacuees to stay in hotels in order to keep people spread out and isolated during the pandemic. Shelters are normally meant for people who have special circumstances and don’t have the means to find another place to stay during a hurri- cane evacuation, officials said. People who are able to find other places to shelter, should do so — whether that means arranging with inland relatives or booking lodging in advance. STOCK UP It’s also important to en- sure you’re stocked up with proper supplies ahead of the storm season and to take the virus into consideration when preparing your hurricane kit. The Federal Emergency Management Administration published guidance about how to prepare for hurricanes during the pandemic. The agency suggests buying extra hand sanitizer, cleaning materials and face coverings as part of emergen- cy kits. Stocking up early will help ease shortages in the aftermath of a major storm, officials said. It’s normal for there to be shortages of some essential supplies for days after a hurricane comes ashore. Even in the days before landfall, there can be rushes at supermarkets and other stores as people seek items they realize they don’t have and would need during a storm and its aftermath. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES Some models published in advance of the start of the season are predicting an active hurricane season this year. One forecast, published by Penn State’s Earth System Science Center, predicted that there would be between nine and 15 named storms in the Atlantic this year. At Colorado State University, forecasters have called for as many as 17 named storms. But, while predictions can be made ahead of a hurri- cane season, it’s impossible to know how many storms actually will form. Last year was a prime example. In 2020, the hurricane season produced 30 named storms, the most ever record- ed in a single year. Of those, 14 became hurricanes and six became major hurricanes. In Texas, the most signif- icant storms of 2020 were tropical storms Beta and Delta, which made landfall north and south of Galveston within weeks of each other in September and October. Like Laura, the worst of the storms missed Galveston County, but it still caused significant damage. Winds and tides destroyed piers and toppled trees, and storm surges flat- tened dunes on the West End and on Bolivar Peninsula. Beta’s rain also brought wor- ries and calls for evacuations from homes near creeks and bayous on the mainland. The last storm to hit Gal- veston County hard was Hur- ricane Harvey, which flooded tens of thousands of homes in August 2017, after making landfall in South Texas. 2021 | Hurricane Preparedness | The Daily News | 11HURRICANE PLAN AHEAD THIS SEASON BE ASSURED • Your savings are federally insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the U.S. Government and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. • AMOCO disaster recovery plans ensure that members’ account records are secure even if credit union facilities are damaged. • AMOCO will work to make sure members’ funds are accessible, but necessary actions may need to be taken to ensure the safety of its facilities, records, and personnel. Necessary actions may include branch closures, cash withdrawal limits and interruptions to electronic services. HOW TO PREPARE • Make arrangements to have needed supplies and cash on hand in case of a sudden evacuation. • Make arrangements to obtain important documents and other valuable items from your safe deposit box prior to a mandatory evacuation. • Carry your AMOCO Credit Card, Debit Card and checkbook with you at all times for safe and convenient cash or payment options. • Locate credit union shared service centers and ATMs on your evacuation route by visiting AMOCOfcu.org. This will enable you to access your AMOCO accounts at numerous locations. 800.231.6053 | AMOCOfcu.org BE ADVISED AMOCO will obey all civil defense warnings and directives in the event of severe weather. STAY INFORMED In the event of severe weather, AMOCO will utilize all forms of communication to keep members informed. This includes but is not limited to, our website, mobile app, Facebook, Twitter, email communications, etc. Visit AMOCOfcu.org for continuous updates regarding important credit union notices and information. Follow us on:houstonmethodist.org/clearlake 281.333.8899 Advanced Care Close to Home Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital provides specialized services, comprehensive emergency care and the most advanced technology and procedures available, ensuring patients receive the highest quality treatment and care — right here in our community. We are proud to offer: • Advanced imaging • Breast Care Center • Cancer Center • Cardiovascular care • Emergency services • Neurology • Orthopedics and sports medicine • Primary care • Urology and urogynecology • Weight loss surgery • Women’s services LEAGUE CITY 3 45 96 FRIENDSWOOD HOUSTON METHODIST CLEAR LAKE HOSPITAL NASSAU BAY HOUSTON METHODIST PRIMARY CARE GROUP HOUSTON METHODIST PHYSICIAN CLINICS HOUSTON METHODIST PRIMARY CARE GROUP HOUSTON METHODIST PRIMARY CARE GROUP 528 2351 518 146 3 45 Leading Medicine IN CLEAR LAKE14 | The Daily News | Hurricane Preparedness | 2021 By STAN BLAZYK The trend of active hurri- cane seasons over the past 20 years — topped off by last year’s record-breaking 30 named storms— makes comprehensive planning even more essential for residents of coastal areas. Eleven of the 16 most active seasons in the Atlantic Basin have occurred since the year 2000. With initial predictions for another above-average season, there is no reason to think this trend will not continue. Reflecting this and data over the past 30 years, the National Hurricane Center has increased the average number of named storms a year from 12 to 14 and the number of hurricanes from six to seven. But this is not the only lesson to be learned from the 2020 hurricane season and those of recent years. A second lesson is that we should begin planning early for hurricane season and not wait until the season is fully underway. With named storms forming earlier than June 1 over the past six seasons, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- tion is considering a change in the the official hurricane season start date from the traditional June 1 date to May 15 by next year. A third lesson is that res- idents of coastal and flood- prone inland areas should seriously consider obtaining flood insurance even if they are outside the 100-year flood zone. Southeast Texas has expe- rienced five 500-year floods The 2020 hurricane season offers several hard lessons National Hurricane Center Preliminary tropical storm tracks for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. 2021 | Hurricane Preparedness | The Daily News | 15 over the past six years, said Jack Holt, consulting director of CNA Insurance, a commer- cial property and casualty insurance company. In addition, if this trend continues, elevating property will become a necessity for many residents or business owners in the region. A fourth lesson is that evac- uation planning has become more difficult, and there may be less time available both for emergency managers and residents to respond to the need to evacuate. Last year, 10 of the 13 hurricanes that formed under- went rapid intensification. That’s officially defined as an increase in sustained winds of 35 mph or greater in 24 hours or less. Hurricane Delta set a record by intensifying from a tropical depression to a Category 4 hurricane in 36 hours, with wind speeds increasing from 35 mph to 130 mph in 48 hours. Likewise, the winds in Hur- ricane Laura last year intensi- fied by 45 mph in 24 hours, while Hurricane Hanna last year and Hurricane Harvey in 2017 both had wind increases of 40 mph in 24 hours. A good question to ask your- self is: Are you prepared enough to arrange for evacuation with a less than 24-hour notice? A fifth lesson is do not focus exclusively on the storm track. Last year, Hurricane Laura struck Lake Charles, but it caused major power outages and some damage in Baton Rouge, a little more than 100 miles to the east of the center. Those of you who remem- ber Hurricane Carla in 1961 know that the storm caused major damage in the Galveston area and brought a tidal surge of more than 9 feet above mean sea level to the island and 10 feet to Texas City and parts of Galveston Bay, despite having come ashore 105 miles southwest of Galveston. With hurricanes moving more slowly or stalling more frequently, a sixth lesson is that we should be prepared for hurricane and/or flood- ing conditions that could last several days. This means stocking up with plenty of supplies to cover prolonged periods of hurricane condi- tions and/or flooding. Finally, do not assume that the season is over if we already have experienced a storm. Multiple named storms can impact any coastal region in the same year, especially one in which the season is more active than normal. Last year, Louisiana was stuck by five named storms — three hurricanes and two tropical storms. Lake Charles was battered by Category 2 and Category 4 hurricanes in a six-week time span. Plan ahead and be safe! STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Kyle Harner kayaks along a flooded section of Independence Drive in Friendswood on Sept. 22, 2020. STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Tamara Williams pounds a stake into the ground to keep track of the water level outside of her house on Colonial Drive in Friendswood on Sept. 22, 2020. Tropical Storm Beta had dropped more than 12 inches of rain on Friendswood by Sept. 22, 2020. Bayne HomeWorks is your community appliance store servicing the Bay Area, Galveston, and everyone in between. When visiting us, you’ll find the most knowledgeable appliance team with the skill to help you build your dream kitchen and the power to beat any competitive price. Bayne HomeWorks is open Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, and Saturday, 10 to 3. 382 W Main Street, League City, TX 77573 (281) 332-8000 | info@bayneworks.com Bayne Homeworks is located in League City in Texas. We specialize in Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, JennAir, Speed Queen, LG, Thor, Electrolux, Liebherr, American Range, Sharp, and Gladiator. Please visit www.bayneworks.com to see our full line of appliances. 2021 | Hurricane Preparedness | The Daily News | 1718 | The Daily News | Hurricane Preparedness | 2021 By KERI HEATH The Daily News Last year, the normal evacuation procedures were somewhat altered during Hurricane Laura because of COVID-19 precautions. As more county residents become vaccinated, however, local emergency planners are anticipating that evacua- tion processes this summer, if needed, would look a lot closer to normal. Hurricane Laura hit the coast of Louisiana on Aug. 27, but the uncertainty of the storm’s path prompted Galveston leaders to order an evacuation, the first since Hurricane Ike in 2008. Many residents piled into cars for the journey to safer ground inland. But some who need help getting out of town can utilize a free state-run program called State of Texas Emergency As- sistance Registry, or STEAR. Older people, those with disabilities and people who require medical or transporta- tion assistance typically load onto buses that will transport them to Austin during an evacuation. Last year, the state sent more buses than usual and taped off some seats so peo- Officials make plans to evacuate quickly with COVID safety JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News Gina Hernandez, holding her cat, Violet, in a carrier, boards an evacuation bus with her sons Nathaniel and Antonio at the Island Community Center in Galveston on Aug. 25, 2020. City officials called for a mandatory evacuation ahead of Hurricane Laura.2021 | Hurricane Preparedness | The Daily News | 19 JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News Mark Morgan, chief emergency management officer for Galveston, talks about differences between hurricane planning and the coronavirus pandemic during a conference call April 9, 2020. Sing up for evacuation help If you will need help leav- ing home in the event of an evacuation, sign up at tdem.texas.gov/stear or by calling 2-1-1. Who should register for the STEAR program: • People with Disabilities • People who have limited mobility • People who have com- munication barriers • People who require addi- tional medical assistance during an emergency event • People who require transportation assistance • People who require per- sonal care assistance ple could distance on the bus. Masks also were required. Evacuees still can expect COVID-19 guidelines this year to comply with Cen- ters for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, said Seth Christensen, spokesman for the Texas Department of Emergency Management. “Transportation coordinat- ed by the state will continue to be at a reduced capacity in order to adhere to CDC guidelines,” Christensen said. Masks still are likely to be required, but the city likely will fill up the buses to at least 75 percent, Galveston’s Chief of Emergency Manage- ment Mark Morgan said. Last year, the city filled bus- es to only 25 percent, he said. The state last year also put up people in hotels to allow for distancing but proba- bly will transition back to large-scale shelters this year, Morgan said. “They’re in discussion in transitioning back to the more open-type shelters as long as they can get the spacing inside the building,” Morgan said. Ultimately, it will be up to the local city that’s accepting evacuees to determine wheth- er to use traditional shelters, hotels or something else, Christensen said. The state is talking about arranging for larger spaces so people can spread out, he said. But the city likely will pass out and still require masks on the buses and in the shelters, he said. What Hurricane Laura really taught Morgan is the impor- tance of being prepared for anything during hurricane season because the storms are still unpredictable, he said. “Even though we have a better understanding on the tracks of hurricanes, it’s still difficult and hurricanes are still unpredictable,” Morgan said. Morgan worried most last year about storms intensifying rapidly, which leaves residents and officials little time to respond and evacuate, he said. “In 12 hours, they could in- crease exponentially,” Morgan said. Residents should make sure to keep their cars full of gas, prepare an emergency kit and communicate their plan with family members, he said. “I would say our communi- ty is very well prepared and informed,” Morgan said. “It’s our job to make sure we get good information out to the community.” “Transportation coordinated by the state will continue to be at a reduced capacity in order to adhere to CDC guidelines.” SETH CHRISTENSEN , Texas Department of Emergency Management spokesmanNext >