Hurricanes cause massive damage and loss of life. From the 1900 storm that devastated Galveston Island, killing more than 6, 000 people, to Hurricane Alicia in 1983, Texas has weathered IO of the 30 worst hurricanes in United States history. Since then, thousands of new residents have moved into high-risk areas with little or no experience of preparing for or surviving storms of such magnitude. Many other Texans have acquired a false sense of security believing that, "It won't happen to me." Don't be a casualty of our next hurricane. Plan Ahead .. the following information will help.

Am I at risk from a hurricane?

Look at the color-coded map on the inside to find out. It shows the areas at risk from winds and storm surge associated with hurricanes. There are five of these risk areas, each shown in a different color and each corresponding to one of the five categories of hurricanes on the Saffir/Simpson Scale. The stronger the storm, the greater the inland impact will be and the more risk areas affected.

How will I know when to evacuate?

Your local officials will tell you. During a 'hurricane watch", listen to your radio or television constantly. Emergency officials can interrupt routine broadcasts to give special weather updates, warning messages, and evacuation information. Tune to KLVI, 560 AM for this information. For 24-hour weather broadcasts from the National Weather Service, tune to NOAA Weather Radio on the highband FM frequency 162.475 megahertz (MHZ) that broadcast from Beaumont.

What can I do to prepare for a storm?

While there are no sure ways to predict when and where a hurricane will come ashore in Texas, both cities and counties have emergency managers whose job is to prepare the community and its citizens for these storms and other disasters. For answers to specific questions you may have concerning hurricanes and preparing for them, contact your local Emergency Management office. In addition, read the information in this brochure and share it with friends and family. Keep the brochure in a prominent location in the your house. When a hurricane threatens, it will help you survive the storm.

How should I prepare for an evacuation?

Prepare a disaster supplies kit (see back page) and pack it in your vehicle. Make sure your car is in good repair and full of gas. Secure your home: turn off the gas, water, and electricity; board up the windows and draw drapes across them; brace garage doors; bring in or secure any loose objects in the yard; and lock all windows and doors. If you have a boat, secure it on a trailer near your house and fill it with water. Make arrangements for pets before you leave; most public shelters, and many hotels and motels do not allow them. Leave a note telling where you plan to go. Designate an out-of-area contact that family and friends can call to get information on your whereabouts. Finally, designate a meeting point for your family should you get separated.

What if I need help to evacuate?

Arrange beforehand with friends or family to help you evacuate. If you have no one to turn to or you have special needs, get in touch with your local officials now. They need to know who you are, where you live, and what kind of help you need so they can be ready to provide aid when a storm threatens.

How long will it take to evacuate?

That depends on the size of the storm and the number of people who evacuate. The chart on the reverse side will give you an idea, but keep in mind the times shown are only estimates. They assume that all evacuation routes are open and only show the time needed to move all traffic inland just beyond the threatened risk areas. It will take longer to reach a shelter location or your final destination. Also, keep in mind, if the chart shows 1 0 hours, officials won't wait until the storm is 1 0 hours from landfall to begin an evacuation. Remember, the goal is to get everyone out of the threatened area before evacuation routes become impassable or unsafe due to flooding or high winds. This will happen when the storm is still many hours away from landfall. So, don't be surprised if there are no clouds and the sun is shining when local officials tell you to evacuate. Follow their instructions; your health and safety are their main concern.

Where should I go?

Inland... away from the coast. Use the evacuation routes shown on the map. Most of these roads are marked with blue hurricane evacuation signs. If you have friends or family at an inland location, arrange beforehand to stay with them. If you plan to stay in a hotel or motel, make reservations prior to departure to ensure you have a room. Cities and towns along the main evacuation routes may open public shelters, but these will be crowded and the "creature comforts" limited. If you need to use a public shelter, listen to your radio as you are evacuating to find out where shelters are open.

Texas Division of Emergency Management - RO. Box 4087 - Austin, Texas 78773-0001