Please only call 911 for immediate medical, fire or police emergencies. Call 311 to report flooding or debris in streets.

Preparation

City of Houston Office of Emergency Management

Houstonians should begin preparing now for the potential of heavy rain, wind and power outages as this system begins tracking towards the city. Begin taking the following steps to be prepared for this storm:

• Gather supplies to be able to comfortably be in your home for 3-5 days. This includes water, food, flashlights, and other necessities. Download a full list from the City of Houston Disaster Preparedness Guide:
   2015 Disaster Preparedness Guide (English)
  2015 Disaster Preparedness Guide (Spanish)
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• Begin removing outdoor items which may be picked up in heavy wind and securing them as appropriate
• Make sure you have a way to stay informed in the event power goes out. This may include a NOAA Weather Radio, or a battery-powered radio or television.
• Communicate with your family about what you will do in the event heavy rain separates you.
• Communicate with your employer ahead of time in the event heavy rain and flooding keeps you from being able to report to work over the next few days.
• Check on elderly or disabled friends and neighbors to make sure they have what they need in the event this storm impacts Houston.

Staying Informed

City of Houston Office of Emergency Management

• Follow @HoustonOEM on Twitter for updates
• Visit the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management website for updates

National Weather Service – Houston/Galveston

• Follow@NWSHouston on Twitter for updates
• Visit the NWS Houston/Galveston website for updates

METRO Updates

• Follow@METROHouston on Twitter for updates on routes
• Visit the METRO website for updates on routes

During/After the Storm

FEMA Assistance

• Should you need FEMA assistance, there are 2 mobile locations and 1 fixed location:
  • Meyerland Community Improvement Association — 4999 West Belfort, Houston, TX 77035 — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 7 days per week until further notice
  • Spring Woods Middle School — Intersection of Hammerly Boulevard and Pine Village Drive, 9810 Neuens Rd Houston, TX 77080 — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 7 days per week until further notice
  • Leonel Castillo Community Center — 2101 South Street, Houston, TX 77009

Report debris or flooding
o Call 311 from your phone to report debris or flooding
o Submit a 311 report online

Power outages
o Follow@CNPalerts for power outage updates from Centerpoint Energy
o Centerpoint power outage map
o Sign up for text, phone, and/or email alerts from Centerpoint
o Stay away from downed power lines
o Report downed power lines by calling (713) 207-2222
o Safety tips and other resources

Find your towed/abandoned car
o http://www.findmytowedcar.com
o Call (713) 308-8580 for information on your towed/abandoned car

Food safety after power outages
o http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/refridg_food.html
o Your food should be safe as long as power is out no more than 4 hours
o Keep the door closed as much as possible
o Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers) that have been above 40 degrees F for over 2 hours

Legal hotline
o The State Bar of Texas has established a legal hotline at 1 (800) 504-7030 to help people find answers to basic legal questions and connect them with local legal aid providers following the recent flooding

Monetary donations and volunteering
o Red Cross – Houston
o Houston Food Bank

Mold prevention/post-emergency cleaning
o CDC: Cleaning and sanitizing with bleach
o Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner.
o Wear rubber or other non-porous boots, gloves, and eye protection.
o Try not to breathe in product fumes. If using products indoors, open windows and doors to allow fresh air to enter.

Navigating Houston when absolutely necessary
o Check out the Waze app — “Waze is the world’s largest community-based traffic and navigation app. Join other drivers in your area who share real-time traffic and road info.”

Thanks to the Adrian Garcia communications team for the information.

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