Our Texas Storm

Down here in South Texas, we recently had a crazy storm blow through, having my hometown wake up to the first day of hurricane season with no power.

Our town was hit the hardest, with a tornado touching down a block away from us.  It wasn't one of those crazy mile wide ones, but it was enough to pull a roof off a house and rip apart many trees and fences.

The storm happened at night, lights went out, the rain confined us to ovens we call home, and many were praying nothing would fly through their windows.  A tree fell in our back yard, pinning down our kids' trampoline.  The trampoline actually held it up.

The next day, my mother in law brought the chainsaw, and Tom and I cut and dragged brush around the yard.  Before she brought it, we went to the store to get a few things to make on the camping stove.

We saw our town.

STARS' sign was blown over.

The high school tennis courts' fence was complete pushed over on the east side.

The covering over a corner store gas station blew off completely, pillars and all, flew over an empty lot, and nearly crashed into a bank's drive thru pillars.

Now that I have shown you our Texas storm, I want to talk about how to be prepared for crazy storms, such as these.  Even if you don't live in Texas, these are rules to follow for any natural disasters you have in your area.

First: You should have an evacuation plan.

This is number one, and must be practiced, especially if you have children or elderly you watch over. Time yourself, make it a game.  One family night, draw out a plan and practice it.  Everyone in your household should know the plan and be ready to execute it.

There are different types of evacuations.  It can be evacuating to a storm cellar, center room of the house, or even, a different town.  An evacuation plan is a planned path that will lead you and your loved ones to safety.

Second: Let others know of your evacuation plan.

This is a crucial component to your evacuation plan.  You want several people you trust to know where you evacuate to and when you do.  Be care of whom you tell.  An empty home is an invite for looters after a storm.

It's important for others to know if you have left your home.  If a large tree falls on your house, your neighbors should know if you are stuck inside and need emergency care.  They could also let you know if something like that happened to your home after you have left.

Third: Have 72 hour kits.

This is a large backpack, with basics, that you can grab on the way out the door as you evacuate.

Things to include

• food (such as protein bars, trail mix with fruit, crackers, cereal, canned tuna, canned beans, canned veggies)
• a reliable can opener (or just have cans with pop tops)
• camping utensil kit
• water (at least 1 gallon/person, it's used to drink, cook, and clean)
• canned juices (not pouches, they can bust in your bag by getting smashed.  If you'd rather have pouches, put them in firm sided plastic containers.)
• change of clothes
• extra underclothes and socks
• rain poncho
• blanket
• hand warmers (if you live in cold areas, we have little need for these in our area)
• flash light
• extra batteries
• flares
• radio (with batteries or a crank)
• pocket knife
• knife sharpener
• rope
• duck tape
• solar panel phone charger
• disinfecting wipes
• travel sized shampoo, conditioner, body wash
• extra hair ties
• toilet paper
• toothbrush
• travel toothpaste
• travel sized dish soap
• Tylenol
• Ibuprofen

Extras per Condition

• diapers
• wipes
• formula
• powered milk and extra water
• prescription medications
• maxi pads

You should also have a binder with personal information.

• personal information on each family member with recent photos and specs
• recent photo of family together (you want to be sure and have this, it might be the proof you need to show everyone in your family)
• list of medical conditions, needs, and allergies
• marriage licenses, birth certificates, immunization records (copies if you have them in water and fire proof safes or security box at a bank)
• insurance polices (life, health, auto, home, RV, ATV, any and every kind you have)
• cash and change
• phone cards

Three things you can do for you and your family to be safer during large storms and evacuations.

Did I leave anything out of the 72 hour kit?

What do you do to prepare for bad weather?

I'd like to hear from y'all.  I welcome new ideas that help keep my family safer.

Thanks for visiting y'all!