How to Prepare for a Hurricane in Fulshear, TX
Fulshear, TX
Fulshear, TX, is 130 feet above sea level and approximately 60 miles from the Gulf Coast. Lots of advice you may find online about preparing for a hurricane applies to people living closer to the coast.
Hurricanes
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
Hurricanes have sustained winds of at least 74 mph.
Tropical storms have sustained winds of 39-73 mph.
A Hurricane Watch is issued 48 hours before expected tropical-storm-force winds (39-73 mph) when hurricane conditions (74 mph or higher) are possible.
A Hurricane Warning is issued 36 hours before expected tropical-storm-force winds when hurricane-force winds are expected.
Hurricane Risks
Hurricane strength is measured by wind speed, which can cause significant damage through flying debris and downed power lines. However, the speed at which a hurricane moves across land is equally crucial.
A slow-moving hurricane, like Hurricane Harvey in 2017, can result in devastating flooding due to prolonged rainfall. Harvey, initially a category 4 hurricane, quickly weakened into a tropical storm after landfall, but caused extensive flooding as it stalled over Houston.
Hurricane Beryl hit the Texas coast as a Category 1 hurricane and actually got stronger when it made landfall. However, it moved quickly over land and was out of the Houston area in less than 12 hours.
Your Biggest Concern
Your biggest concern is staying cool when we lose electricity. You may notice that hurricane season occurs at the same time of year that we run our air conditioning units almost all day.
The most likely outcome of any hurricane is downed power lines. Heavy thunderstorms, which will bring lots of lightning, will also happen. Lightning has a tendency to hit homes and electrical transformers causing a loss of electricity.
How To Prepare
Weeks Before the Hurricane
Consider buying a gas-powered generator and an air conditioning unit that can cool one room. Plenty of your neighbors will suggest a whole-house generator. That’s definitely an option, but an expensive option. A gas-powered generator plus a one-room A/C unit is more cost-effective and will get you through a couple of nights.
Buy toilet paper, flashlights, flashlight batteries, and a radio.
Fill your pantry with non-perishable foods, such as canned meat, fruit, and vegetables.
Fill your freezer with ice, frozen fruits and vegetables and frozen meat. It is easier to keep a full freezer cold if you lose power.
Download the National Hurricane Center app to stay updated on weather conditions.
Download the CenterPoint app to stay updated on power outages. Be aware that CenterPoint is responsible for the delivery of your power. This is true no matter who you pay your bill to.
Sign up alerts from the City of Fulshear Emergency Services: https://member.everbridge.net/1542619108737059/login
Follow the City of Fulshear on social media:
Facebook - City of Fulshear
X (Twitter) - City of Fulshear
Nextdoor - City of Fulshear
YouTube - City of Fulshear
Days Before the Hurricane
Fill up your car with gas. After the hurricane, you may need to leave the area. Do not wait until the day before! There will be lines of cars waiting to get gas.
If you have a gas-powered generator, fill up your gas can. Again, do not wait until the day before!
Restock your freezer and pantry if you have eaten some of your “hurricane food.”
Hours Before the Hurricane
Turn down your A/C even if you are uncomfortably cold. If you lose power, you will be grateful that your house was already cold.
If you have vehicles you normally park in the street, pull those vehicles into your driveway as close to your house as possible. Most Fulshear streets are designed to flood to prevent houses from flooding. Also, you reduce the chances of your cars being hit by flying debris by parking them as close to your house as possible.
Plug in all of your electronics, such as phones and computers. I recommend plugging them into power surge strips in case lightning strikes your house or there are power surges on the grid due to the storm.
Secure outdoor items like trampolines, basketball goals, patio umbrellas, and furniture.
Remove “Property For Sale” sign.
Store flags in your garage.
Straighten-up your house to minimize tripping hazards in the dark.
During the Hurricane
Shelter in place. If not ordered to evacuate and your home is safe from wind or flood risks, staying indoors is the best option. Avoid driving or going outside during the storm, and stay away from windows, sheltering in the strongest part of your home.
Keep your radio and flashlight close by at all times. You never know when you will lose power.
After the Hurricane
Continue following the messaging services to stay updated on flooding, traffic, downed-power lines, and when power will be restored.
Text friends, family, and neighbors to see how they are faring. This is a great way to see who has power and who does not.
Depending on the scale of the storm, only venture out when absolutely necessary. Flooding and downed-power lines can cause traffic jams, which in turn causes work crews to take longer to arrive at the scene.
Special tip you only learn through experience!! The CenterPoint power outage map is not always helpful. Instead, use the What-A-Burger or Chick-Fil-A app to see which locations are open. This will give you a great idea of which areas of town have power restored.
Let’s all stay safe and prepared. If you have any additional tips, feel free to email them to me at bryan@blueeaglefitness.com.