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Insights > 'Five Questions' with Sgt. Stephanie Davis, Texas DPS, on Being Storm Ready
'Five Questions' with Sgt. Stephanie Davis, Texas DPS, on Being Storm Ready
06/19/2017
1. Why is it important to be Storm Ready?
Being prepared saves lives. It is extremely important for people to know how to respond to any type of disaster, including hurricanes. Disaster preparedness can help reduce the fear and anxiety that most people experience during these types of events. It also can reduce the impact of a disaster on your family and your community.
2. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to think about this and plan just in case. What are some questions to consider as you craft a Family Emergency Communication Plan?
When developing a communication plan, think about these things:
- Choose an emergency contact person who lives out of town. This person should be contacted to let them know that you and your family are safe.
- Phone lines may be busy, so make sure that all members of your family know how to send text messages.
- Create an emergency meeting place. Make sure to practice different routes of how to get to your emergency meeting place, so no one panics during an emergency.
- Make sure to always have phone charging devices readily accessible.
3. What are some tasks to undertake six to 18 hours from a hurricane arriving?
- Always heed evacuation warnings from emergency officials.
- If you are not in an area that is recommended for evacuation:
o Let friends and family know where you are.
o Close all shutters and stay away from windows.
o Turn your refrigerator or freezer on the coldest setting and open only when necessary.
o Turn on your weather radio to get the latest weather updates.
o Make sure to charge your cell phone.
o Bring in loose, lightweight objects inside or into the garage
4. At Entergy, we hope for the best but prepare for the worst. So, in case a hurricane strikes, talk to us a little about what one should do in its aftermath.
- Following a hurricane, conditions in your area could still be dangerous; therefore, it is crucial to listen to local emergency officials for updates and instructions.
- Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe to do so.
- Remember that electric power may be out of service, so we encourage citizens to watch out for debris and downed power lines.
- The threat of flooding is high after a hurricane makes landfall; therefore, it is best to avoid walking or driving through flood waters.
- Citizens should also remember that the flood waters may be electrically charged from downed or underground power lines.
- Finally, photograph the damage to your property in order to assist in filling out insurance paperwork.
5. Consider the phrase 'proper planning beats poor performance.' What does this mean to you as it relates to hurricane preparedness?
Planning is essentially the ability to develop plans to coordinate several activities. Proper planning is critical in reducing loss of live and loss of property during an emergency situation. Poor planning is not an option when you are dealing with public safety issues that could potentially impact a community for years to come.
Planning is essentially the ability to develop plans to coordinate several activities. Proper planning is critical in reducing loss of live and loss of property during an emergency situation. Poor planning is not an option when you are dealing with public safety issues that could potentially impact a community for years to come.
