Surviving the Storm: Essential Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Houston Residents

Flooded roads near Memorial Drive in Houston emphasize the importance of Hurricane Preparedness Houston

Houston closes out this week with hundreds of thousands of residents still awaiting the restoration of power and electricity. How many people knew that Hurricane Beryl had wide-reaching effects, which would incapacitate more than 1.5 million people in Houston Metro and neighboring cities? It was an underestimation that the southeastern region of Texas will not forget.

This post aims to provide readers with insight regarding how best to prepare for a period of an extended power outage. Hurricane Preparedness Houston is crucial for minimizing the impact of severe weather systems and natural disasters. Power outages can result from these events. Whether you live in Texas or some other geographical region that is prone to be impacted by the effects of mother nature, be prepared!

Houston's Power Outage Aftermath: The Impact of Hurricane Beryl

The aftermath of Hurricane Beryl left a lasting impression on Houston. With over 1.5 million people affected, the city's infrastructure struggled to keep up with the demand for power restoration. The lessons learned from this event underscore the importance of preparedness.

Hurricane Preparedness Houston: The Bathtub Trick: Ensuring Water Supply During a Power Outage

Fill your bathtub with water: I remember receiving this bit of advice after moving to Houston. Why should I fill my bathtub with water? If a power outage occurs, power that supports your water pump is likely to be interrupted. This means that you will be limited to the water reserved in your well or water tank prior to the outage. As we Houstonians have recently experienced, a power outage can persist for days until linemen restore power to the area. During this time of limited access to resources, you will need water to flush the toilet, bathe, and clean.

First, clean the tub for obvious reasons, and then fill it with as much water as possible. This is one of the easiest actions to take in preparation for a potential power outage.

Portable Electronics You Need for Hurricane Emergencies

Invest in Portable Electronics: Why? You may not have direct access to power and/or electricity for days. Depending on the size of your household, you should purchase at least two or more:

Battery Packs: Staying Powered Up

There are quite a few portable devices that still operate with traditional batteries (i.e., AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt). Know your devices and keep a few compatible batteries on hand. 

Flashlights: Navigating the Darkness

You might have to move around in complete darkness, especially at night. Flashlights are essential for safety and survival when visibility is limited or nonexistent.

Rechargeable Fans: Beating the Houston Heat

Houston is renowned for its summertime infernos from June through September. The heat and humidity is relentless.

Generators: Power Solutions for Homeowners and Renters

Interestingly, some people dare to use generators in apartments. This practice is not only dangerous to the owner, but is also hazardous to other tenants. These devices can produce carbon monoxide and cause a fire, which only exacerbates the issue of having no power.

Power Stations: Keeping Devices Charged

Buy power stations that are capable of recharging your cellphone and other electronic devices that you believe are necessary to maintain some semblance of comfort.  I suggest reading consumer reviews before making a random financial investment.

Food and Water Essentials for Extended Outages

Bottled Water: Safe Hydration During Emergencies

When water treatment facilities stop operating because of a power outage, the risk of contaminants entering the water increases. It is ill-advised to drink tap water during this period. Stock up on bottled water to supply and sustain your household. 

Candles: An Alternative Light Source

When batteries and rechargeable power stations fail or are unavailable, use candles. Candles can be purchased at Walmart and Target in packs of three or more. Pillar candles are recommended considering their typical size of 3x8. They can burn for hours before depleting.

Coolers: Preserving Food and Medications

Being able to refrigerate food items is not the only concern for some people. They have medications that must remain chilled for potency. Otherwise, the medications will spoil. Having one or more coolers serve the purpose of minimizing the potential for spoilage. 

Nonperishable Foods: Stocking Up Smartly

No power to your traditional refrigerator and freezer means that your chilled and frozen foods will eventually warm up (unless you have ice or a supplemental power source). In the past, any purchases I made in the week leading up to a blackout-causing storm, did not include perishable items. My primary objective was to minimize food wastage that comes from prolonged outages. Instead, I bought items including but not limited to:

• Granola Bars

• Peanut Butter

• Bread

• Cookies and Crackers

• Canned Foods: Beans, Corn, Peas, Green Beans, and tuna

For a comprehensive guide on how to prepare for hurricanes and their aftermath, visit Hurricane Prep by Farah & Farah. This resource provides valuable insights on safeguarding your home, family, and essential belongings before severe weather strikes. Whether you're planning ahead or need advice on what to do after a hurricane, this guide is an excellent addition to your preparedness toolkit.