Tropical Distrurbance? New to Houston, what does that mean?

[mikebandw186]

Hey Guys. As a new resident to Houston, I was somewhat surprised by the flooding a few weeks ago.

Having paid better attention to the news lately, I was wondering if there was anything I need to do to prepare for this coming "tropical disturbance". I live in an apartment, and didn't see much flooding here. But some of the other residents have talked about losing electricity and water (possibly). Does that happen all that often here?

Living in Colorado, I know how to get ready for a blizzard, heavy wet snow, and other winter weather related incidents. But heavy rain and wind is completely new to me.

Thanks for any help or suggestions!

 

[wakal]

Tropical Disturbance=Shortage of bananas for daiquiris

So stock up!

 

[Moonpie]

Google up Tropical Storm Allison for some history of what a storm can do.

Prep is basically getting supplies you'll need to live for a couple of days to a week+.
Cash(in small bills) enough for your needs for a month.
Meds - keep extra medications on hand. Tell your Doctor to write you extra 'scripts for hurricane prep reasons.
Food, water, don't forget the pets. Food for a few days. LOTS of bottled water. It'll be summer and hot.
Light - lanterns, flashlights,etc.
Generator - fuel
Vehicle - if the storm is really bad the power will be out, possibly for many days. No way to pump gas. Fill vehicle, keep it filled, Have extra gas cans. Make sure the vehicle is in good repair and capable of long travel. Google up highway traffic jams during the evacuation for Hurricane Rita to understand the need for having extra fuel on hand.
Firearms - always good idea to have something around. Looters WILL be around.

 

[karlac]

Doesn't look like this will be a hurricane, but much of the following, which is applicable to Harris Co, applies to tropical storms as well.

http://www.hcoem.org/Documents/HurricanePreparednessChecklist.pdf

Basically what we will see with this storm, it if does as advertised, is more high water, possibly worse than two weeks back due to the saturation of the ground and rivers and creeks feeding already saturated flood plains.

Take the above checklist to heart, but most important thing is do not drive into any high water, regardless of time of day, but particularly in the darkness.

And a pitcher, or five, of Margaritas is always advised ...

 

[baboon]

Like I tell new to Houston residents when the power fails after a storm & it's unbearably hot & humid and your sleeping naked with the doors & windows open you need more the Deep Woods Off for protection.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Like I tell new to Houston residents when the power fails after a storm & it's unbearably hot & humid and your sleeping naked with the doors & windows open you need more the Deep Woods Off for protection.

That's where my generator & portable AC unit comes in handy.

 

[thralldad]

Don't forget some fuel for the gennie! Doh- Moonpie already said that! Flat bottom boat and a paddle...

 

[Glockster69]

You'll want water for flushing. I keep a 55gal drum for that. Bathtub works too.

 

[BG1960]

all of the above. it's a good idea to get your preps done by June 1st, the start of Hurricane Season. I keep 20 gallons of stabilized fuel along with the vehicles being topped off. extra bag of dog food for the canines. 10 gallons of drinking water. bathtubs full when it looks like things look like they are gonna get bumpy. also have lots of batteries and a battery powered fan.

 

[ray22]

It's a weak tropical depression, it will blow through in less than 24 hrs. Houston might get 4-6 rain. Having supplies handy is a smart thing but don't sweat this one to much.

Govern wisely and as little as possible~Sam Houston

 

[diesel1959]

You'll want water for flushing. I keep a 55gal drum for that. Bathtub works too.

Yeah, the guest bathroom's tub gets a shower curtain lining (because the drain leaks), and then gets filled up with water for flushing and hygiene purposes. I've got several 5gal Scepter cans to keep potable water for drinking purposes.

Stock up on easy things like SPAM® or other favored canned goods. If you've already done your homework, you've got some MREs stashed back for emergency rations, right?

Others have touched on fuel and cash. I just finished loading up a mess of MP5 mags, VP9 mags, and USP45 mags. IRready.

 

[diesel1959]

It's a weak tropical depression, it will blow through in less than 24 hrs. Houston might get 4-6 rain. Having supplies handy is a smart thing but don't sweat this one to much.

Govern wisely and as little as possible~Sam Houston

/this\ But I love loading mags, so what can I say?

 

[oldag]

Google up Tropical Storm Allison for some history of what a storm can do.

Prep is basically getting supplies you'll need to live for a couple of days to a week+.
Cash(in small bills) enough for your needs for a month.
Meds - keep extra medications on hand. Tell your Doctor to write you extra 'scripts for hurricane prep reasons.
Food, water, don't forget the pets. Food for a few days. LOTS of bottled water. It'll be summer and hot.
Light - lanterns, flashlights,etc.
Generator - fuel
Vehicle - if the storm is really bad the power will be out, possibly for many days. No way to pump gas. Fill vehicle, keep it filled, Have extra gas cans. Make sure the vehicle is in good repair and capable of long travel. Google up highway traffic jams during the evacuation for Hurricane Rita to understand the need for having extra fuel on hand.
Firearms - always good idea to have something around. Looters WILL be around.

Allison was a wimp.

For rainfall, google "Tropical Storm Claudette".

For a real hurricane, search for "Hurricane Carla". Carla was the last strong hurricane to hit the Houston area.

If a hurricane is on the way, get out. And leave early.

Good advice above.

 

[robertc1024]

Carla was a bitch. It was raining sideways in Austin.

 

[roadkill]

It's a weak tropical depression, it will blow through in less than 24 hrs. Houston might get 4-6 rain. Having supplies handy is a smart thing but don't sweat this one to much.

Govern wisely and as little as possible~Sam Houston

But the ground is already heavily saturated. Places will likely flood that normally wouldn't due to a saturated ground and ponds and lakes at or near capacity. There isn't much capacity left to absorb the rainfall so small amounts could still have the possibility to cause devastating floods.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Moonpie]

Carla was bad. Alicia was bad in certain areas.
Claudette dropped a lot of rain but it was so long ago the entire area has gone under concrete since then. Allison showed how bad flooding can get.
Ike was devastating due to the storm surge.
Each storm is unique.

 

[Bozz10mm]

OP, it will probably be no worse than the Memorial Day flood a couple of weeks or so ago. But, it could be.

 

[baboon]

That's where my generator & portable AC unit comes in handy.

Thoughts of silencing the neighbors generator after Ike was on my mind every night I was without power.

 

[Glockster69]

Allison was a wimp.

For rainfall, google "Tropical Storm Claudette".

For a real hurricane, search for "Hurricane Carla". Carla was the last strong hurricane to hit the Houston area.

If a hurricane is on the way, get out. And leave early.

Good advice above.

Allison: $5.5B in damages, 70K+ flooded and 2700 destroyed homes, and the 55 who died would disagree with your assessment.

With the exception of get out for a hurricane, your post is based on feelings, not facts.

 

[ZeR0BuG]

That's where my generator & portable AC unit comes in handy.

I'm coming to your place when the neighborhood loses power!