Public Safety Alert: Staying Safe During Hurricane Harvey and Reporting Issues

(Photo courtesy of ABC13.com)

Houston is currently under a Hurricane Watch. Houston residents can expect to see a significant amount of rainfall over the next five days, which will likely lead to flooding.

We’ve put together useful resources and advice below that will help you and your family stay safe.

How to Quickly and Easily Report Issues:

If you experience issues such as street light outage, curbside rubbish or debris, report it on our SeeClickFix app. By sending reports via seeclickfix.com or utilizing mobile apps available on Android and iPhone devices, you can share with district officials exactly what is going on in the neighborhood for future planning.

This service is to report non-emergency issues. If you have an emergency, please call 911 or reference the numbers listed below.

PUBLIC SAFETY CONTACT INFORMATION

Information You Need To Know

At this time, the City of Houston has not issued evacuation orders. However, it is important to stay vigilant of changing conditions.

RAINFALL: Because our area is on the northeast side of landfall, we can expect very heavy rain over the next four to five days. NWS forecasts 8-12 inches of rain with some areas receiving more, depending on how the storm lines up.

WIND: Current forecasts indicate that Houston can expect winds of 39-57mph over the weekend as Harvey comes onshore. This has the possibility of causing damage, especially if outdoor items remain unsecured. If the storm intensifies and/or changes direction, these wind speeds could increase. Please remain vigilant.

POWER OUTAGES: Wind can cause damage to transformers and power lines. This means it’s possible we will experience widespread power outages that could last for days. Residents should be prepared to be without power.

Six Steps You Can Take Now to Offset Power Outages and Emergencies

Here are 6 steps you can take to prepare for the storm ahead of time:

1. Make sure your family has 5-7 days worth of food, water and supplies.

• • This includes enough prescription medication to get you through this period, in case pharmacies and doctors’ offices are closed.
  • If you have seniors, children, pets or other people special circumstances, make sure their individual needs are met.
  • Be sure you have a way to stay informed even when the power goes out, such as a battery-powered or hand-crank radio.

2. Develop a family communication plan, so that you know who to check in with after a storm. Visit ready.gov for more information on how to do this.
3. Monitor current conditions with the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center.
4. Know how to turn off your utilities. This includes electricity, water and gas. Only turn off gas if instructed by local officials or by CenterPoint energy. For safety tips from CenterPoint, visit houstonemergency.org.
5. Move vehicles away from low-lying areas, such as neighborhood streets that are prone to flooding.
6. Ensure that street drains are clear of debris. Also, secure items that might float away in heavy rain and become lodged in drains. This can cause additional flooding.

Midtown Houston encourages our residents and businesses to stay safe and at home as the water continues to rise. You can watch or listen to the local news for ongoing updates.

Online Local Resources That Provide Accurate Information

The Regional Joint Information Center (JIC) is your best source for timely and accurate information when emergency conditions exist in the greater Harris County area. The JIC is a collaboration between regional emergency management partner organizations designed to keep you informed before, during and after emergencies.

The City of Houston’s Office Emergency Management stands ready to assist you by providing programs and activities to help prepare for, cope with and recover from the effects of natural and manmade disasters.

Follow These Helpful Flood Safety Tips

FloodSmart.gov recommends you follow these tips to ensure your personal safety:

• If flooding occurs, go to higher ground and avoid areas subject to flooding.
• Do not attempt to walk across flowing streams or drive through flooded roadways.
• If water rises in your home before you evacuate, go to the top floor, attic or roof.
• Listen to a battery-operated radio for the latest storm information.
• Turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve if advised to do so.
• If you’ve come in contact with floodwaters, wash your hands with soap and disinfected water.

We encourage you to stay involved with Midtown Houston and welcome you to our monthly Public Safety committee meetings. Our next Public Safety meeting will be held Tuesday, September 19th, 2017, 6pm – 8pm at Central Bank-Midtown Location, 2217 Milam Street, Houston, TX.