How to get ready for Hurricane Gustav??

Question

My family lives in Katy, Tx and even if Gustav does come in our direction we're not going to evacuate. We have family (grandparents) coming to stay with us from the Beaumont Area. I'm pretty nervous from what I've read. We've got food, water, flashlights. My parents aren't worried about it much... but I am getting anxious. I don't want to get caught in the storm unprepared so what should we do to prepare?

Thanks, this is much appriciated!!!!

-Camm

Answer 1

Just remember when the hurricane hits to get as close to the ground as possible, assume the foetal position and kiss your @rse goodbye.

Answer 2

Theres a good chance you will get hit, at least in part, by Gustav. My advice: listen to the weather officials. If they say for your town to evacuate: LISTEN. This is a strong storm and you want to keep your family safe. Also, I would suggest having a battery operated radio with you at all times. if your power goes out you can still hear the weather and find out if you need to evacuate etc.

Also, here are some tips if it does start coming your way.

-- Stocking up on plywood, flashlights and extra batteries isn't the only thing residents need to do in order to prepare themselves for hurricane season. Part of disaster preparedness also includes financial planning. With Hurricane Gustav looming in the Gulf, Texas residents should use these next couple of days to get their finances in order.

Texas CPAs provide three tips for financial preparedness in advance of a natural disaster:

-- Have cash on hand. One of the first things you are likely to need is money for food, shelter, repairs, and more. If banks close and ATMs are out of service, be prepared with cash and know where you can access larger amounts of money.

-- Gather important documents in a waterproof and fireproof lockbox. You'll want to put important paper documents such as Social Security cards, birth certificates, list of insurance policies, mortgage deeds, etc. in a safe place where you can retrieve them after disaster strikes.

-- Conduct a household inventory. Do a walk-through in your house and take pictures and collect the papers you might need for insurance purposes in the days following a disaster.

Place voice calls only when necessary. Limit your personal calls so

that capacity is available for 9-1-1 calls and emergency responders.

-- When possible, send text messages instead of placing voice calls. Text

messages require less network capacity and are more likely than voice

calls to reach their destination during periods of network congestion.

-- Call #STORM for updates on the status of the Cellular South network,

retail store operations and other information.

-- Go to http://www.cellularsouth.com/hurricane on your personal computer

or via the mobile web on your wireless device at the Cellular South

main page under an icon called "Hurricane Gustav" for complete updates,

information and details on weather, traffic, power outages, gasoline

prices, service restoration and hotel information.

-- Charge your mobile phone in your car during commercial power outages.

If a car charger is unavailable, buy an AC adapter for your vehicle and

you can use your wall charger

-- Turn off your Bluetooth, data connections, such as auto sync for PDA

and smartphone users, turn backlight down to the minimum levels to

conserve battery life. When the batter is extremely low, turn phone

off unless in use.

-- Camera phone owners can use their handsets to document damage to

personal property, homes or businesses and use Pic Sender to send

them to insurance agencies or other contacts.

Answer 3

i live in katy.

prescriptions, water (fill new plastic 55 gal drums), non smelly candles, (can cook and heat water over a candle), cash, important papers, fill gas tank, propane for the barbecue, eat frozen food now.

in alicia we were without power for a week. meals ready to eat like spaghettios. don't forget about your pets. bring airborne missiles like patio furniture inside, buy heavy duty trash bags for week of no external support. smelly trash, gross.

i am concerned becuase it's going to take a left hand turn and stall, which means tropical rain type flooding.

ps there's no where to evacuate to....

Answer 4

Hey. You should be fine. I doubt you will have anything more than a normal thunderstorm. Just to be prepared, definatly have food(non-perishable), water(alot), flashilghts,batteries, blackets, something to keep you entertained.  If you really are nervous get some wood and nail it to you windows. Stay really low to the ground if all possible. Keep safe and good luck!