Hurricane Alex Soaking Central Texas

If you are traveling this weekend, please check out your destination using some of the links below.  At this time, the flooding on the Guadalupe River is between Hueco Falls to the Comal River.  However, Canyon Dam is at over capacity and the water flow may increase from the current 284 cfs.

Flooding Below New Braunfels in June 2010

Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service from National Weather Service provides up to date and predicted water levels throughout river basins in Texas.

Real-Time Data for Texas: Streamflow from United State Geological Survey features data from actual gauges on Texas rivers. May be sorted by county. You may also This site includes coastal areas.

Real-Time Data for Texas: Lakes and reservoirs from United State Geological Survey. May be sorted by county.

Have a Happy and SAFE July 4, 2010

Real-Time Reservoir Information from Texas Water Development Board. Collated information from from USGS, IBWC, and USACE websites. View by state, river basin or individual reservoir.

Road Conditions Map from Texas Department of Transportation.  Zoom in on specific areas.

Weather Underground has many maps with current weather, temperature, heat index, windchill, humidity, radar, dew point, wind, visibility, visible satellite, fronts, snow depth, precipitation and jet stream. There is also online weather radio for some Texas cities.

AccuWeather is another great site for Texas weather, including radar, headlines, videos and alerts sent to your cell phone.

New Braunfels and Schlitterbahn flooded in June 2010

Willie has always been an friend to farmers, starting with the first annual Farm Aid concert in 1985. Willie Nelson is asking for help for the farmers who have been effected by the flooding in the midwest.

Please read his heartfelt plea on his official website. From the website:

Farm Aid is working now with local farm groups, churches, and rural organizations to get emergency funds out quickly to flooded farmers. Today we made our first grant of $10,000 to a local Iowa farm organization to provide emergency assistance to farmers in need right now.

Funny how Farm Aid can get help to the farmers faster than FEMA . . .

Last July, I wrote a post on FEMA trailers and formaldehyde. In the article, which you may read here, I cited many sources stating that formaldehyde was a true problem.

From that July 2007 post:

Our Government at Work FEMA trailers are toxic to the people living in them. FEMA has known about the formaldehyde outgassing problem since 2006, but have not taken action except when people complained. FEMA is now the target of a class-action lawsuit, as they should be. Formaldehyde outgasses in high heat and humidity, so we put flood victims from the Gulf Coast in them? Why?

News Sources for July 2007 post:

June 4, 2007
ABC News: Embalmed in Your Own RV

May 16, 2007
Are FEMA Trailers Making Residents Sick?, CBS News: Homes For Those Displaced By Katrina Can Contain High Toxin Levels – CBS News

February 15, 2007
Mardi Gras Overshadowed by Toxic Trailers

From the article:

Meanwhile, in Little Rock, Ark. FEMA said it will continue with distribution of mobile homes to Arkansas and Tennessee tornado victims despite a CDC finding of high formaldehyde levels in other trailers.

 : : Shame on You, FEMA! : :

And God help all who are in the hands of the American  government.  If you are poor, you will be mistreated.  No doubt about it.

This is a review of AxcessPoints, an online disaster preparation website. AxcessPoints is owned and operated by a group of insurance professionals who witnessed the effects of the hurricane season of 2005. They quickly realized that insurance is not enough. You must also be prepared to survive, both during and after the event, totally on your own.

The Website

Below is screenshot of the navigation system on AxcessPoints. The plan and prepare and member center tabs lead to the only private parts of the website. The other tabs lead to free information.

You may test your knowledge of hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, earthquakes, floods and identity theft.

Next, you can research information in the library about how to prepare your home, family and finances for disaster.

Thirdly, there is information on how to survive during the even, deal with the damage to your home, cope with the loss of belongings, and to begin your life again.

Lastly, there are true stories from survivors of disasters who hope you will learn from their experiences.

These tools are provided free of charge to help you.

Members Area

Probably the most important part of the AxcessPoints website is where you may create an online disaster plan. To access this page, you must register and become a member. The service is $9.95 per month, but you may join and explore the site for 30 days free. No credit card information is required during this trial period. From the members area, you may update your profile, change payment options, sign up for newsletters and view your emergency preparedness plan.

Emergency Preparedness Plan Area

Below is a view of the Emergency Preparedness Plan area. You may start on any of the tabs, but I would suggest working through them, from left to right. Your information is secure and safe as attested to by the https in the address bar, various badges at the bottom of the web page and the locked padlock on the status bar of your browser.

Right Click to Open Larger View in Another Window or Tab

You may grant limited to full access to your plan to other people, whether they are family, friends or legal advisers. When you are finished, you have a complete preparedness plan in the event of emergency.

Summary

I would suggest you visit AxcessPoints and look over the free materials. Then, if you wish more information, you may take advantage of the free 30-day trial. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by preparing your plan.

Tags: AxcessPoints, disaster preparedness plan, online disaster planning tool, free trial

Securing Your Home

This is the last of this five-part series, Preparing for Disaster. I hope this series is helpful to you. I just touched on topics you should consider in detail. Visit the web sites below and download a checklist or make your own.

The best way to survive an emergency
is to prepare before it happens.

As Soon As Possible

• Identify outdoor items that should be brought inside an those which should be secured outdoors.
• Ensure that all dead, diseased or damaged branches are removed from trees. Cut all branches reaching over your house, whether healthy or diseased.
• Purchase 5/8″ plywood, have it cut to size to cover your windows and doors (see step 3). Starting from your front door and counting clockwise, number your windows. Mark each piece of plywood with number. Have some pieces cut to brace your garage door (see step 4) and cover roof vent holes (see page 6).
• Purchase nail gun, nails (for plywood) and enough duct tape for securing plastic (below).
• Purchase 2-4 mil. thick plastic sheeting. Cut plastic to cover windows and doors from the inside (see step 8). Use waterproof marker to mark each piece of plastic with number or room name. See diagram above for proper placement. Save enough plastic for securing your air conditioning unit (see step 7).

When You Know Bad Weather is Coming

1. Secure outdoor items identified above or move them inside.
2. Remove window and door screens and store them inside.
3. Secure windows and doors by closing and locking each one. Cover windows and doors from the outside with 5/8″ plywood. Leave back door uncovered. Cover this door when you leave.
4. Strengthen/brace garage doors from the inside with 5/8″ plywood.
5. Remove outside antennas.
6. Remove roof turbines and install 5/8″ plywood over the hole. Or cover the turbine with plastic and tie down. Leave plumbing vents uncovered.
7. Wrap air conditioning unit in plastic.
8. If you think its necessary, you may want to seal your windows and doors from the inside with plastic (see picture above). This WILL NOT keep water out. It is to be used if you need to keep dust, ash or contamination out.

The Getaway

• Check the radio or TV one more time and ensure evacuation is still necessary.
• Move your cars into your garage unless you are driving out.
• Move furniture out from walls a foot or two.
• Stash non-perishable food you are leaving in suitcases in different areas of your home.
• Fill your bathtubs and sinks with water.
• Hide your waterproof, fireproof lock box in a place of your choosing (see Part 2).

• Empty your fridge, leaving door open. If you are driving, pack snacks, fruit, water and ice into an ice chest and take with you.
• Unplug all electrical appliances.
• Open all interior doors in your home and secure with tape, doorstop, brick, etc.
• Shut off water, gas and electricity at the source.
• Touch base with your neighbors, friends and family. Let them know where you are going and offer them a ride or encouragement if needed.
• Place a small sign saying EVACUATED in a front window of your home so emergency workers will not waste time checking your home or apartment.
• If you decide to leave your animal behind, leave a week’s supply of food and several water sources. Put a sign in the window, DOG/CAT INSIDE-RESCUE ME, where the animal normally stays.
• Take a moment and think about what you need to do and make sure you have everything you need: medicines, maps, money, emergency information, weather radio.
• Remember that you have already secured what is important to you and your family. Relax and remain calm.
• Grab your getaway bags, family, animals and go.
• Lock your back door. Cover back door with plywood as you leave.

Websites to Help You Plan and PrepareBelow are some national websites where you may find more information. Hopefully, there is a community website or a state website with more information in your area. I must say, I was disappointed with the Texas website.

DisabilityPreparedness.gov – Specific information for Americans with disabilities. Know your rights, get the help you need to survive a disaster.

FEMA.gov – There is some useful information on preparedness for all types of emergencies, including nuclear accidents, mudslides, volcano eruptions, extreme heat and cold, among others. There are checklists and teaching materials. Materials in Spanish available. For quick reference, check the Get Disaster Information page.

National Hurricane Center – NOAA site with hurricane specific information. Explanations of accompanying problems of hurricanes, including storm surge, flooding, tornadoes. Information available in Spanish.

Nitro-Pak Preparedness Center – This is your one-stop Internet shop for survival supplies. They have it all: MREs, dehydrated food, family survival packs, water purifiers, earthquake survival kits, radiation evacuation suits, Potassium Iodide tablets, gas masks, solar and hand-crank radios, you name it!

Ready.gov – There is some good information here, especially for people with special needs, kids and senior citizens. There are checklists and brochures that are downloadable (PDF). This site is your tax dollars at work (Department of Homeland Security), so use it.

TheEpiCenter – This is similar to Nitro-Pak, but includes generators, DC-to-AC converters, and some specific information on Earthquake preparedness.

Texas RV Travel blog – how to prepare for disaster series for USA; collection of Weather, River & Lake Levels, Road Conditions for Texas.

Tags: disaster preparation, survive disaster, secure house, getaway, disaster websites