AgriLife Extension experts asking Texans to be informed about hurricane preparation

COLLEGE STATION – With the possibility of tropical storms and hurricanes hitting the Lone Star State during hurricane season, experts from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are reminding Texans their agency has a number of useful publications specific to protecting households, farms and ranches.

“Hurricane season has begun and Texans are already starting to feel its effects,” said Dr. Andy Vestal, AgriLife Extension specialist and emergency management expert in College Station.

“At this time, one of the main things people in affected areas can do is simply to shelter in place. They should not try to drive or perform other unnecessary activities during inclement weather,” Vestal said. “While rains and high winds are to be expected from recent activity in the Gulf of Mexico, Texans should also be alert to possible tornadoes.”

Vestal said another way people can prepare for disaster is to be informed and suggested Texans check out the AgriLife Extension publications available through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Bookstore website, https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/ or the Texas Extension Disaster Education Network website, Texas EDEN, http://texashelp.tamu.edu.

He said disaster preparedness and recovery materials offered through AgriLife Extension contain useful information provided by the agency and other Texas A&M University System experts, as well as experts from state and federal agencies and the national land-grant university Extension system.

One of these publications, “Texans, Get Ready! Be Prepared to Survive a Disaster,” explains how to protect a household during and immediately after a catastrophe by making a disaster plan and preparing a disaster kit.

“Special considerations in this five-page publication include keeping food safe to eat, sheltering in place and how to discuss a disaster with children,” said co-author Dr. Joyce Cavanagh, AgriLife Extension specialist in family development and resource management, College Station.

A second publication, “Farmers and Ranchers, Get Ready! Protect Your Operation Before, During and After a Disaster,” provides agricultural producers with information needed to prepare for weather-related and other emergencies by creating a disaster plan. Its contents address the steps farmers and ranchers need to take to protect people, animals, crops, machinery and other assets.

Cavanagh said Texans should also consider preparing an emergency kit containing enough supplies to take care of immediate family members for at least three days.

“There should be an emergency kit for the home, office and each vehicle,” she said.

She said information on preparing for an emergency, including suggested items for the kit, can be found in the Texans, Get Ready! publication as well as the agency’s “Preparing for the Unexpected” publication, which also can be found on the bookstore and Texas EDEN websites.

Cavanagh also explained the need to prepare a “grab-and-go” box containing important documents and financial records in the event of an emergency situation.

She said the AgriLife Extension publication titled “Personal and Family Financial Records Inventory” will provide guidance for a handy way to consolidate personal and family financial information.

Cavanagh and Vestal said the Texas EDEN and bookstore websites have additional information on disaster preparation and recovery, most of which is free. E-book format downloads are also available for mobile devices. More information can be found by connecting with Texas EDEN on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/txeden. Twitter at http://twitter.com/txeden or Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/texashelp.