PNSBRO

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
400 PM CDT FRI JUL 11 2003

...PLANNING FOR A HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM...
 
PLANNING FOR AN EVENTUAL HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM LANDFALL IS AN 
IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL TEXAS COASTAL RESIDENTS.  

FIRST THING YOU SHOULD DO IS ASSEMBLE AN EMERGENCY SUPPLY 
KIT. LARGE WATERPROOF STORAGE CONTAINERS OR ROLLAWAY SUITECASES MAKE 
GOOD STORAGE DEVICES. YOU WILL WANT TO ASSEMBLE ENOUGH FOOD, WATER, 
MEDICINE AND MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES FOR A ONE TO TWO WEEK PERIOD. 

SECOND, YOU SHOULD DECIDE IF WILL NEED TO EVACUATE WHEN A STORM 
THREATENS AND WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO GO. YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY 
MANAGEMENT OFFICE CAN HELP YOU TO DETERMINE THE BEST ROUTE. BE SURE 
TO NOTIFY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES OF YOUR PLANS. 

THIRD, PLAN TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY BY PURCHASING SOME STURDY STORM 
SHUTTERS. PAST HURRICANES HAVE PROVEN THAT ONCE THE WIND ENTERS THE 
HOME OR BUSINESS...THE ROOF IS USUALLY THE FIRST TO GO AND YOU COULD 
EXPERIENCE A TOTAL LOSS. AT A MINIMUM, HALF INCH PLYWOOD SHOULD BE 
USED TO PROTECT WINDOWS AND DOORS. THE SOLE USE OF MASKING TAPE TO 
PROTECT WINDOWS IS HIGHLY DISCOURAGED AS THIS WILL NOT OFFER ENOUGH 
PROTECTION FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

FOURTH, IF YOU PLAN TO EVACUATE AND YOU HAVE A PET REMEMBER THAT 
MANY HOTELS AND SHELTERS DO NOT ACCEPT PETS. THEREFORE PLANNING 
AHEAD OF COULD SAVE CONSIDERABLE TIME AND HEADACHES IN AN EMERGENCY 
SITUATION. 

AS THE STORM APPROACHES, GAS UP YOUR VEHICLE AND OBTAIN PLENTY OF 
CASH SO THAT YOU MAY LEAVE IF AND WHEN OFFICIALS ADVISE. WAITING 
UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE COULD PLACE YOU AT THE END OF A LONG LINE OF 
CARS ALL TRYING TO ESCAPE HARMS WAY. 

IF YOU FOLLOW THESE PROCEDURES BEFORE A HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM 
THREATENS...YOU WILL BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO SURVIVE AND RECOVER 
ONCE THE STORM MOVES AWAY. 

$$