How to Prepare for Heavy Rain
With lots of rain in the forecast this week, it's important to be prepared and stay informed of weather changes and announcements made through public safety notification systems. Do you have a plan for power outages? Is there enough food and water in your pantry in case you need to stay at home to avoid high water in your area? Although most Houstonians have seen their fair share of storms and subsequent after effects, it's important to go through a safety checklist before heavy rainfall to be prepared for what may happen during a storm.
Find out what you can do before severe weather strikes. Preparation is key to staying safe and minimizing impacts.
- Be Weather-Ready: Check the forecast regularly to see if you're at risk for severe weather. Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about severe thunderstorm watches and warnings. Check the Weather-Ready Nation for tips.
- Sign Up for Notifications: Know how your community sends warning. Some communities have outdoor sirens. Others depend on media and smart phones to alert residents to severe storms.
- Create a Communications Plan: Have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place and related information. Pick a safe room in your home such as a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. Get more ideas for a plan at: https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
- Practice Your Plan: Conduct a family severe thunderstorm drill regularly so everyone knows what to do if a damaging wind or large hail is approaching. Make sure all members of your family know to go there when severe thunderstorm warnings are issued. Don't forget pets if time allows.
- Prepare Your Home: Keep trees and branches trimmed near your house. If you have time before severe weather hits, secure loose objects, close windows and doors, and move any valuable objects inside or under a sturdy structure.
- Help Your Neighbor: Encourage your loved ones to prepare for severe thunderstorms. Take CPR training so you can help if someone is hurt during severe weather.
Source: National Weather Service
When anticipating heavy rains, it's also a good idea to ensure that you have bottled water, non-perishable food, medications and first aid supplies at home in the event of road closures, dangerous road conditions or loss of power. Also, If you have a generator and plan to use it in the event of a power outage, remember to keep your generator outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust. For more generator safety information, visit the American Red Cross website.
Remember, if you are driving on roadways during heavy rainfall, "turn around, don't drown".
