Klein Hurricane Awareness 2010

Klein Fire Dept is hopeful for a slow and uneventful hurricane season.  If we do get challenged by a storm, we are prepared.  We are set to respond to all emergencies we are requested to respond to before and after a hurricane passes through.  We are constantly reviewing our response policies and make changes as needed based on advice and lessons learned.

During Hurricane Ike, Klein was active until winds reached 50 mph, we then housed our firefighters and equipment until the hurricane passed and wind dropped back to 50 mph sustained. We were out in the communities as soon as possible reviewing damage, clearing access points to subdivisions and checking for life and property dangers.  Our stations are powered by emergency generators; with food supplies and water for our firefighters. We were able to maintain a full level of service throughout the event.

We are proud of or firefighters and their commitment to their families and their community.  We are ready and prepared for our next event should one occur.

Officials continue to advise residents in Atlantic and Gulf Coast states to be prepared for storms, high winds and flooding throughout the season, which begins June 1. Klein Fire Dept is urging everyone in the area to become familiar with designated Evacuation Routes and create your own Hurricane Preparedness Plan.

A weather radio is an excellent way to stay in tune with any weather watches or warnings that may be issued during a storm. They use both AC and DC power allowing you to keep up with weather events even when power is out. These can be purchased at many Department and Electronics stores in the area.

Now is the time to begin your preparations, don’t wait until the last minute.

Our area was most recently impacted by a major hurricane in 2008 with Hurricane Ike. The passing of the historic 2008 hurricane season has hopefully brought our community closer and made them more aware than ever of the potential these storms have to disrupt our lives and communities. Ike showed us that we cannot be complacent; the many near misses in the past gave us a false sense of safety from these storms. With the growth in the area over the past 30 years and our Ike hit in 2008 our infrastructure and our abilities were tested.  Galveston suffered a large loss of life and property by this direct hit.  They are still recovering as a new season arrives

The Klein response area suffered much damage as well.  Power outages of up to 15 days, trees across roofs and roadways with some homes damaged beyond use. We look back to Hurricane Ike now as an example of the power of a large hurricane and the many lessons it taught us. We also should look to past storms like Rita as a powerful hurricane that could have been a major impact to our area. Consider that Rita could have just as easily continued on course and impacted the Spring /Klein area with high winds, tornados, heavy rains and possible flooding.

We should remember that proper preparation and planning can and will help reduce the loss of life and property. Be ready, have your Hurricane kit in place by June 1^st.  We learned that food, water, a generator and gas will be in the most demand.  Generators will be in short supply once a hurricane arrives.  Long lines at gas stations will be common, be patient.  If you have or plan to buy a generator, be sure to use it safely, outside away from windows and doors were Carbon Monoxide will not enter the home.  Let your generator cool before refueling and store gas in a safe place away from gas appliances and other ignition sources.

It does not take a hurricane to cause catastrophic damage to life and property during hurricane season. Tropical Storm Allison and more recent flooding rains have demonstrated that a slow moving tropical storm, depression or weather system could be just as dangerous to our area due to wide spread flooding. With new construction across all areas of the Spring/Klein area, runoff is more and more an issue. We cannot stress enough the importance of education and preparation.

Tune to your favorite local news station and keep up to date with the hurricane information and events as they happen. We are lucky to have excellent pool of meteorologists in our area as well as resources on the Internet. Your actions now could make the difference in surviving a hurricane or tropical storm in the future.
 

Information you will need.

Harris County Office of Emergency Management

Texas Department of Public Safety - Division of Emergency Management

NOAA Houston-Galveston

Hooks Airport Conditions

FEMA

Office of Homeland Security

Tropical Prediction Center

Tropical Storm Data

Hurricane information for kids

American Red Cross

Disaster Aid Links

NOAA Hurricane Information page

Hurricane Tracking Map

Getting Assistance for Special Needs
Call 2-1-1 If You Need a Ride