4 Hurricane Season Preparedness Tips for Houstonians

Frequent rainfall events make roadway flooding a major concern for travelers throughout Southeast Texas.

While Greater Houston area residents are no strangers to heavy rain during Hurricane Season, which runs from June 1st – November 30th, Transportation and Emergency Management staff at Houston TranStar continue to stress the importance of being prepared for severe weather.

Your ability to survive a hurricane depends on you having a plan, preparing wisely and staying informed.

Don’t forget these four helpful tips as we make our way through the 2020 Hurricane Season:

1. The Houston TranStar mobile app alerts travelers to areas where roadway flooding risk is high during rain events. TranStar’s Roadway Flood Warning System, a tool built in partnership with the Harris County Flood Control District and Texas A&M Transportation Institute, highlights areas likely to be experiencing roadway flooding on the TranStar real-time traffic map. Make the app a part of your emergency preparedness plans this year. Download it for free at the Apple App Store and Google Play.

2. Prepare your vehicles for an evacuation. Keep your gas tank at least half-full during Hurricane Season, and keep and your vehicle well-maintained. Find out if your family lives in an evacuation zone, and remember to only evacuate when instructed to do so by local officials. If you encounter street flooding, remember the rhyme “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”

3. Put together an Emergency Essentials Kit before the next storm arrives. An Emergency Essentials Kit is crucial, whether you “hunker down” during the next hurricane or get out of town. Buy a week's supply of food that doesn't need to be refrigerated or cooked, and store one gallon of water per person per day. Keep your prescriptions filled, and don't forget to make a plan for your pets. Get more information at the Ready Harris website.

4. Don’t have Flood Insurance? Purchase it today. Houston TranStar strongly recommends that Houston area residents get flood insurance. Contact your insurance agent today to purchase your policy, which likely won’t go into effect until 30 days after enrollment. Plan ahead. Be smart.

Hurricanes and severe storms can cause catastrophic damage to our community. The Team at Houston TranStar reminds residents and travelers that being prepared could save your life. Act now and be ready for what has been, and will likely continue to be, an active 2020 Hurricane Season.