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Hurricane Planning and Response Meeting
for West Enders
Eliot Jennings Addresses
Participants
The City of Jamaica Beach and the West Galveston Island Property Owners Association held a town meeting at the Public Service Building in Jamaica Beach for West End residents on Hurricane Planning and Response.
Lance Wood from the National Weather Service was on hand to provide information on tidal flooding on the West End and forecast error in storm predictions.
Wood's advice in planning was to notify someone outside of the threat area when you evacuate the island. He also suggested keeping a two to three supply of prescription medication and extra cash on hand during hurricane season.
Service Area Manager for Center Point Energy David Murphy discussed restoration of services after a storm.
"It took 16 days to restore service after Alicia," said Murphy. "Our objective is to do better than that."
Galveston County Emergency Management Coordinator Tesa Duffey-Wrobleski noted changes in the new books produced by the National Weather Service.
"There is finally a map showing the different routes to take outside of Galveston County," Wrobleski said.
She also noted the changes in evacuation zones, which don't affect Island residents.
Wrobleski's advice to residents was to take the advice of elected officials in the event of a storm.
Galveston's Emergency Management Coordinator Eliot Jennings reported that 90 percent of deaths that occur in a storm are due to the storm surge.
Jennings stated the importance of knowing where you are going to get your critical information in the event of a storm. "KTRH AM 740 is the local designee for the Houston Galveston area once you are on the road," Jennings said.
Jennings advice to participants was to put together their supply kits now and know and practice their evacuation plan. He also suggested learning how to secure your home and utilities in the event of a storm.
Public Works Director Brandon Wade reported that the City is working with the Texas Department of Transportation on raising sections of FM 3005.
Wade's advice after the storm was to allow 5 minutes to purge water once service is restored at your home.
Director of Planning and Community Development for Galveston Wendy O'Donohoe reported that her department works closely with Public Works and the Office of Emergency Management about the damages seen after a storm. O'Donohoe's advice was to wait to make repairs until damage is assessed after a storm.
"Our primary goal is public safety," O'Donohoe said.
The Planning Department will work again to house a satellite permit office at the Jamaica Beach City Hall in the event of a storm.
Linda Bassett from Galveston Insurance Associates advised to take your policy with you if you evacuate and to get your video recorder or cameras ready to inventory your house now.
"If you are going to make any changes to your policy, do it now," said Bassett. "Some changes may require 30 days."
Participants Pick Up Insurance
Info at the GIA Booth
The meeting also provided residents with several booths to visit to gather hurricane planning information. Besides having things for the kids to do, everyone was treated with hotdogs and hamburgers for lunch.
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