As we start the worst months of hurricane season for Houston - any sincere advice for newcomers on lessons learned? (Dallas: power lines)

[texas7]

One thing to keep in mind - is that if you opt to go for a generator - in addition to keeping it outdoors and away from your windows, with houses being so close in these neighborhoods, remember to also keep it away from your neighbors' windows as well. Some of them may not have generators and must keep their windows open - if your generator is parked up close to their home/windows - they are forced to suffer more as they have to close those windows -- no to mention the excess noise in addition to fumes.

This happened to a co-worker. He asked the neighbors to move it farther away from his home and they said - no because they didn't want to take a chance on the fumes being so close to their house.

What type of window coverings did you use, if any? Did they work or not work? We just boarded up with boards. They held and did their job. We did not buy a brace for garage door. Ours held up okay but a couple of friends had their garage doors fold inward.

[chad.roper]

If you live north of 1960 you really dont have to worry about the hurricane itself even if a category 5 hit houston its far enough away that it would be a category 1 by then. The only way to get category 4 or 5 winds in Tomball would be for a hypercane to hit at the ship channel and move really fast northwest. Hypercanes don't even exist now because water needs to be 120 to make one.

[Sampaguita]

I asked a similar question just as hurricane season was starting & received a lot of helpful advice & tips:

Our First Hurricane Season in TX - tips?

[westres1]

If you have large trees on your lot move your family to a downstairs interior room during the Hurricane. Fill your tub with water to flush the toilets with. If you are not in an exacuation zone dont evacuate until it is over. Let those that need to leave get out. You can leave the next day if your power is out.

[honeyinhouston]

Originally Posted by chad.roper

If you live north of 1960 you really dont have to worry about the hurricane itself even if a category 5 hit houston its far enough away that it would be a category 1 by then. The only way to get category 4 or 5 winds in Tomball would be for a hypercane to hit at the ship channel and move really fast northwest. Hypercanes don't even exist now because water needs to be 120 to make one.

You're dreaming...

[CanTex]

LOTS of great advice has already been shared in the thread linked above. That one should be made a "sticky" for this forum!!!

[texas7]

Originally Posted by chad.roper

If you live north of 1960 you really dont have to worry about the hurricane itself even if a category 5 hit houston its far enough away that it would be a category 1 by then. The only way to get category 4 or 5 winds in Tomball would be for a hypercane to hit at the ship channel and move really fast northwest. Hypercanes don't even exist now because water needs to be 120 to make one.

Not really true, unbelievabley, I have relatives in Arkansas who went without power for days because as Ike's remnants blew threw - trees were toppled onto power lines. And, they were delayed in repairing them because in order to help out Texas, their power company had sent the bulk of their workers here for emergency response. So you have to worry about winds based on your geography, etc. And unfortunately for them, they had just returned from the grocery store after replacing all the food they lost two weeks prior to that when remnants of another storm (that originally was head our way but turned, Eduard maybe) blew threw and toppled trees causing power outages.

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by texas7

Not really true, unbelievabley, I have relatives in Arkansas who went without power for days because as Ike's remnants blew threw - trees were toppled onto power lines. And, they were delayed in repairing them because in order to help out Texas, their power company had sent the bulk of their workers here for emergency response. So you have to worry about winds based on your geography, etc. And unfortunately for them, they had just returned from the grocery store after replacing all the food they lost two weeks prior to that when remnants of another storm (that originally was head our way but turned, Eduard maybe) blew threw and toppled trees causing power outages.

Well, I think the point was that the actual storm is unlikely to destroy your house or kill you. That doesn't mean the effects won't be substantial. Going without power or water for an extended period would not be fun.

When contemplating hurricane preparedness, one really has to balance the costs of evacuation against the costs of preparing. Yes, a generator might cost what? $2 grand or more? But the costs of spending a week in a hotel in say Dallas are going to be substantial as well.