KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
June 22, 2023
By Natalie Cook Clark
Strong storms battered Katy last night. With the talk of the lightning and thunder it's a good reminder that we are in Hurricane Season and storms are already forming in the Atlantic.
Katy Prepares
As Katy grows, newcomers enjoy all the great city has to offer, but they also need to heed the warning of local officials and seasoned residents. Hurricane Season started June 1 and already the season is off to an early start having named two storms.
Tropical Storm Bret developed in the Atlantic on Monday and while storms have developed early in the season before, Bret's location is unusual.
As water temperatures remain much warmer it's driving development in the middle of the zone, which is where Bret developed, earlier in the season. From there storms tend to either go north up the east coast or swing into the Gulf of Mexico and threaten our area.
Katy Moms Prep to Protect their Families
Katy officials and families always urge everyone to be prepared for a hurricane. This is something that newcomers especially need to know.
“This is so important to me to be prepared to care for my family and kids,” says Katy mom Chancie Davis. “With little ones in the house being prepared helps me to help them cope with stressful situations without the burden of not having essentials.”
The Davis family purchased a home generator a few summers ago to ensure that during power outages they would still be ok. During the pandemic they added to their preparedness supplies by purchasing 5-gallon collapsible water containers to be able to fill with water ahead of a storm.
“Living in Katy it’s not if, but when we will lose power of water,” says Davis. “I want to have confidence that my family is secure.”
Katy Government Provides Checklist
The City of Katy has a helpful checklist the help families plan
2023 Hurricane Season Predictions
The National Weather Service has issued their latest predictions for the upcoming 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which began June 1. They predict a near normal season with 12-17 named storms. They predict that around 9 of those storms could have the potential to become major storms with winds of over 74 mph.
However, as their website and marketing material for the season clearly states, “it only takes one storm to change your life.”
Important Links
The City of Katy and each county has websites/links for Emergency preparedness with resources and where residents can register to stay informed.
Lessons from Harvey
13 million people were affected by Hurricane Harvey when it stalled out over the Greater Houston area late August of 2017. The storm was one of the most devastating natural disasters in Texas history.
Planning Ahead
Here are some simple, easy tips to help prepare your family:
Build an emergency kit. Know your first aid supplies.
Refill any important medication on time to avoid running out.
Make a family communications plan. Know where to go and meet during a disaster.
Know the routes you need to leave your home (evacuation routes).
Locate your local emergency shelters.
Closely watch/listen to the weather reports, listening every hour as the storm nears.
Put fuel in all vehicles and withdraw some cash from the bank. Gas stations and ATMs may be closed after a hurricane.
If authorities ask you to leave, do so quickly.
If you leave (evacuate), be alert to flooded or washed-out roads. Just a few inches of water can float a car. Think, Turn around, Don’t Drown.
Keep a photo I.D. that shows your home address. You will need it when asking police if it is okay for you to re-enter your area or home.
Secure your property.
Evacuate all pets to shelters and have vaccination records ready.
Do You Need Flood Insurance?
Katy residents should also consider flood insurance whether if they are in the flood plain or not.
The average monthly cost of flood insurance is about $50. For more information visit FloodSmart.gov. or call your insurance provider for information. All flood insurance does go through the government and takes 30 days to go into effect.
A Little Hurricane Season Lesson
If you are new to Katy and new to hurricanes, it is important to understand that the U.S. Hurricane Seasons. The Atlantic Hurricane Season is what impacts Katy and it runs June 1-November 30, with the season’s peek being in August and September.