< PreviousHEFFERNAN INSURANCE AGENCY 1703 Tremont Galveston, TX 77550 409-765-9011 HOMEOWNER • WINDSTORM FLOOD • FIRE • AUTO COMMERCIAL BONDS www.heffernaninsuranceagency.com Exterior Specialties for Gulf Coast Luxury Living VISIT OUR SHOWROOM 6626 Stewart Rd., Galveston, TX 409-502-2231 www.galvestonshutters.com DON’T HESITATE TO CALL BECAUSE WE DO IT ALL. GUZMANSCUSTOMCONTAINERS.COM TACLB009653E 3614 Yale St, Galveston NEW CONSTRUCTION • REMODEL & OLD HOMES LICENSED & INSURED NOW FINANCING SEE IF YOU’RE PRE-APPROVED Call Today For A FREE Estimate! CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED 30 | The Daily News | Hurricane Preparedness | 2024HURRICANE ANATOMY OF A Hurricanes are born in the steamy late-summer environment of the tropics when rapidly evaporating ocean waters combine with strong wind currents. Several hundred miles wide and packing winds of more than 100 mph, hurricanes cool the Earth by sucking heat from the Earth’s surface and drawing it into the upper atmosphere (above 40,000 feet). EXHAUST Hot air is drawn into the atmosphere SPIRALING STORM CLOUDS EYE WALL Storm’s fiercest winds EYE Cool air descends into the 20-mile-wide eye, creating a small center of calm weather SPIRALING WINDS SPIN COUNTER- CLOCKWISE In the lower few thousand feet of the hurricane, air flows in toward the center and whirls upward. These spiraling winds gain speed as they approach the central eye, just as currents do in a whirlpool. The narrower the eye, the stronger the winds. HIGH WINDS SOURCE: The National Hurricane Center AP Illustrations SOUTH AMERICA U.S. ATLANTIC OCEAN AFRICA WARM WATERS HURRICANE BREEDING GROUNDS 2024 | Hurricane Preparedness | The Daily News | 31From staff reports P eople with trucks and SUVs were feeling vindicated after Hurricane Ike in 2008 when roads that weren’t covered with water were covered with mud. But even people in Jeeps with snor- kel kits attached were driving around on four weak links — the tires. One thing that was not in short sup- ply after Ike was nails, wood screws, weird springs and all manner of other debris that can penetrate a steel-belt- ed tire. So, unless you’ve invested the several thousand dollars it takes to get run-flat tires like the U.S. Ambassador to Baghdad, you’re going to have to be able to fix a flat. Some people swear by that inject- able foam. Others just don’t trust it and opt instead for an emergency plug kit. They sell for about $5 at most auto parts stores and consist of a knurled spike to bore out the hole for a plug, a big needle for pushing the plug into the hole and the plugs — strips of rubber or leather coated in glue. An advantage of the plugs, and the foam, is that you can fix the flat without taking the wheel off the car or the tire off the wheel. An then there’s the air. Don’t count on finding a working compressor after the water recedes. To be safe, buy a portable compressor that charges off a car system. They cost between $50 and $150 and models are available from auto parts stores. Some also will jump-start a car, charge a cellphone and provide an emergency light. Debris-strewn roads? No problem! The Daily News file photo High water covers the Interstate 45 frontage road near Omega Bay in the aftermath of Hurricane Nicho- las on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News file photo A sign warning motorists about debris on the road rests on the pavement along state Highway 87 on the Bolivar Peninsula on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News file photo Having a rechargeable air compressor in your vehi- cle can get you back on the road again, or at least to a repair shop. 32 | The Daily News | Hurricane Preparedness | 2024(409) 762-HELP www.UWGalv.org Before, during, and after the storm...We’re here for you, Galveston. 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(409) 750-8043 2024 | Hurricane Preparedness | The Daily News | 3334 | The Daily News | Hurricane Preparedness | 2024 How to deal with mold contamination after the storm From staff reports M old, contaminated soil, infec- tions and respiratory ills may lie in wait after a hurricane, physicians according to physicians. But if you find yourself needing to clean up and muck out after a hurricane, just slap the mosquitoes aside, slide on some gloves, a mask and with proper precau- tions, keep on working, they advise. Here’s a roundup of advice gathered in 2009 from medical experts eyeing the aftermath of Hurricane Ike: CONTAMINATED SOIL Organisms living in soil contaminat- ed by bacteria and human waste can be transmitted hand to hand or hand to mouth and can lead to Hepatitis A, tetanus or other infections. Wear gloves; avoid touching your mouth and eyes; wash hands or use hand sanitizers frequently; wear rubber boots and get a tetanus shot. MOLDS AND FUNGUS They’ll range in color from dirty white to greenish to black. Waterlogged, damaged items should be discarded. But clothing or uphol- stery that isn’t waterlogged might be re- claimed with cleaning or dry cleaning. Hard surfaces can be wiped down with a bleach or alcohol solution. Sentimental photographs, jewelry and other items can be cleaned and dried. Waterlogged carpet and Sheetrock should be discarded. Mold will grow in the wall cavities, so they must be exposed. Wear a mask that will filter out fun- gus for that kind of work. Stay out of poorly ventilated areas where cleaning produces strong fumes. Get enough sleep and rest. A persistent cough, particularly when exerting oneself or when it causes one to wake in the middle of the night, should prompt a call to the doctor. The Daily News file photo Carter Eisinger, left, and Calvin Anderson gather insulation to throw out of a house on Blue Water Lane in Dickinson after Hurricane Harvey in 2017.From staff reports H ealth officials de- clared Galveston un- safe after Hurricane Ike in 2008 knocked out the city’s water and sewer systems. Toilets wouldn’t flush, no one could shower and keeping things clean was nearly impossible. In addition to being unpleasant, the conditions were unsanitary, and officials feared an outbreak of disease. But with some careful planning, a few crucial hygiene items and taking into consideration COVID-19 precautions, island residents who choose to ride out the next storm can be more comfortable. HAND SANITIZER This antibacterial gel will kill almost all germs that linger on your hands. It’s the next best thing to hot water, soap and a good scrub brush. Depending on how long the water’s out, you might go through a lot of it, so don’t be afraid to buy the jumbo bottle. WET WIPES They’re great for wiping down your hands, and unlike hand sanitizer, they remove dirt. As with the hand sanitizer, don’t scrimp. You will go through them quickly. SOLAR SHOWER This camping staple is cheap, easy to find and could provide the single biggest morale boost after a storm. Fill up the 5-gallon plastic bag before the storm and hang it somewhere in the sun after the storm passes by. They take a while to heat Stay safe and sanitary when systems are out up, and the “shower” is really more like washing with a very low pressure garden hose, but if you’re hot and dirty, you won’t care. COMPOSTING TOILET This is another camping trick that can make your post-hurricane stay more pleasant while relieving pressure on the city’s sewer system. Your options range in price and complexity of construction. The most basic models are nothing more than folding stools with disposable bags where the toilet bowl normally would be. Fancier models have flushing mechanisms and a holding tank, but it has to be emptied eventually. 2024 | Hurricane Preparedness | The Daily News | 35 JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News file photo Hunter Cummings, a senior at Texas A&M University at Galveston, takes a travel-size hand sanitizer before boarding a bus to College Station on Aug. 25, 2020, ahead of Hurricane Laura.36 | The Daily News | Hurricane Preparedness | 2024 From staff reports F or many residents, memories of the destruction during Hurricane Ike in 2008 remain. But sociologists estimate people only remember the worst effects of a hurricane for about seven years, according to the National Weather Service. Here’s a list of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in U.S. history. 3. Lake Okeechobee Hurricane — 2,500 to 3,000 deaths About 6:15 p.m. on Sept. 16, 1928, the Category 4 storm made landfall in Palm Beach County on the eastern side of Florida. The greatest loss of life was around Lake Okeechobee, where waves topped the levee and drowned thousands of migrant farm workers. 4. Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi — 1,200 deaths In the early morning hours of Aug. 29, 2005, the Category 3 hurricane hit the Gulf Coast, displacing thousands of people from their homes in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The levee system around New Orleans failed, and the federal gov- ernment was accused of a slow response to the disaster. 5. Cheniere Caminada Hurricane — 1,100-1,400 deaths The Category 4 hurricane advanced suddenly over south- eastern Louisiana in early October 1893. The greatest de- struction occurred between New Orleans and Port Eads, where storm surge swept away everything in its path. Most of the deaths were caused by drowning. The total deaths including offshore losses were close to 2,000. 6. Sea Islands Hurricane in South Carolina and Georgia — 1,000-2,000 deaths On Aug. 27, 1893, the Category 3 made landfall near Savannah, Ga., bringing a storm surge of about 16 feet. Nearly all buildings on the barrier islands were destroyed. Most of the deaths were caused by the storm surge. 7. Georgia and South Carolina hurricane — 700 deaths In historical reports, the hurricane is referred to as “Storm 5” of the season. The Category 2 hurricane made landfall during the night of Aug. 27, 1881, where the eye of the storm crossed an area about 25 miles southwest of Savannah, Ga. 8. Hurricane Audrey in Louisiana and Texas — at least 416 deaths The Category 4 hurricane made landfall near the Tex- as-Louisiana border in late June 1957. Its storm surge of 12 feet inundated the flat coast of southwestern Louisiana as far as 25 miles inland. Entire communities were demol- ished and almost all deaths were attributed to storm surge. Worst of the worst The deadliest storms 1. 1900 Storm in Galveston — 8,000 to 12,000 deaths The deadliest natural disaster to strike North America made land- fall in Galveston on Sept. 8, 1900. At least 8,000 people died in the Category 4 storm, but the number could be as high as 12,000. 2. Hurricane Maria — 2,975 deaths Regarded as the worst natural disaster to affect the Caribbean islands, the Category 5 storm caused catastrophic damage to Dominica, Saint Croix and Puerto Rico on Sept. 18, 2017 — just two weeks prior to Hurricane Irma. The storm caused the worst electrical blackout in U.S. history, which lasted for months, and caused a humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico due to flooding and lack of resources. Rosenberg Library/Courtesy Sacred Heart Church in Galveston after the 1900 Storm. David J. Phillip/AP file Floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina fill the streets near Interstate 10 in downtown New Orleans in 2005.2024 | Hurricane Preparedness | The Daily News | 37 9. Labor Day Hurricane in Florida — 409 deaths On Sept. 3, 1935, the Category 5 hurricane brought a storm surge of about 20 feet. The compact hurricane destroyed near- ly everything in its path as it hit the Florida Keys. 10. Last Island Hurricane in Louisiana — 400 deaths The Category 4 storm struck Last Island, a barrier island and resort, on Aug. 10, 1856. The hotel and gambling establishments were destroyed, and only one terrified cow remained on the island after the catastrophe, according to the weather service. It also caused the New York Stock Exchange to close for two consecutive business days — which last happened in 1888 because of a major winter storm. 6. Hurricane Ida — $83.9 billion With maximum sustained winds at 150 mph, this Cat- egory 4 hurricane made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Aug. 29, 2021. 7. Hurricane Irma — $63.5 billion Just two weeks before Hurricane Maria, the big, slow and long-lived Hurricane Irma made landfall Sept. 6, 2017, in the Leeward Islands and tracked upward toward the Flor- ida Keys. After causing catastrophic damage in Florida, the storm eventually dissipated Sept. 13 over Missouri. 8. Hurricane Andrew — $59.9 billion In August 1992, the Category 4 hurricane hit Florida and Louisiana with high winds. It killed 61 people and destroyed more than 125,000 homes. 9. Hurricane Ike — $42.9 billion When the storm made landfall in Texas, it was the largest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded. It killed 112 people. While storm surge caused major damage in the county and across the coast, the hurricane also led to wind and flooding damage as far away as Pennsylvania. 10. Hurricane Ivan — $33.6 billion In September 2004, the Category 3 hurricane made landfall in Alabama. It caused damage from storm surge and flooding in Alabama and the Florida panhandle. It killed 57 people. Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Costliest storms since 1980, adjusted for inflation 1. Hurricane Katrina — $198.8 billion The 30-foot storm surge, winds and failure of the levee sys- tem in New Orleans caused widespread damage in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama in 2005. Other states further inland experienced damage from high winds and flooding. 2. Hurricane Harvey — $158.8 billion Harvey was the first major hurricane to hit the middle of the Texas coast in 47 years. The storm struck Rockport and Fulton on Aug. 25, 2017. The storm’s center stalled over south Texas for two days, flooding many streets and homes, until moving to Louisiana on Aug. 26. 3. Hurricane Ian — $117.4 billion Ian caused widespread damage and flooding across Cuba, Florida and the Carolinas. The storm left millions without power and numerous people were forced to take refuge on their roofs. Ian’s powerful winds and storm surge at landfall collapsed the Sanibel Causeway and the Pine Island Causeway to Pine Island, entrapping those left on the islands for several days. 4. Hurricane Maria — $114.3 billion Growing from a Category 1 to a Category 5 hurricane in just 18 hours, Hurricane Maria devastated the northeastern Ca- ribbean, including Sominica, Saint Croix and Puerto Rico on Sept. 18, 2017. 5. Hurricane Sandy — $87.8 billion In October 2012, the storm, which led to 159 deaths, caused damage across the highly populated northeastern United States. The Daily News file photo A mailbox stands in Bay Colony Pointe in Dickinson on Sept. 14, 2017. Hurri- cane Harvey floodwater came up to the bottom of the box. Jennifer Reynolds/The Daily News file photo Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush tour the damage from Hurricane Ike at Bermuda Beach in Galveston, on Oct. 14, 2008.38 | The Daily News | Hurricane Preparedness | 2024 John M Smilie SERVICES MANAGER - FUNERAL DIRECTOR Phone 832-769-4040 Fax 832-769-4033 | john.smilie@sci-us.com 2950 Gulf Freeway S., Suite D-E, League City, TX 77573 “Where we put families first” John Weldon 409-737-2731 johnweldon1962@outlook.com Custom Beach Homes Decks & Patios Siding & Windows Remodeling Backyard Projects “Customize Your Home” Residential & Commercial WDI Inspections · Termites· Rodents Roaches · Ants · Fleas · Birds · Trapping 6615 Stewart Road, Ste. 117, Galveston, TX 77551 www.EscoPestControl.com • 409-737-3200 Email: EscoPest@aol.com ESCO PEST CONTROL, INC. All Kinds of Home Repairs 1411 39th Street, Galveston, TX 409-744-0816 | susan@edmonsonlaw.com Board Certified Family Law – TBLS • Family Law • Wills & Probates • Saturday morning appointments available in Galveston Office L aw O ffices O f S uSan M. E dMOnSOn It’s here… Time for Summer A/C Maintenance 409-740-3988 TACLB94030E Mark Spurgeon INSURANCE AGENCY, INC Family Owned & Operated Since 1982 2929 Palmer Hwy, Texas City 409-945-5148 www.spurgeonagency.com Are You Protected?We have all the information you need to stay safe in the storm. PLAN. PREPARE. PROTECT. GalvNews.com twitter.com/GalvNews facebook.com/GalvNewsNext >