Hurricane Guide
June 1 marks the opening day of hurricane
season, MVEC wants to remind you to take
precautions. Here are tips you and your
family should practice to stay safe before,
during and after the storm.
Storm Warnings
Terms to know.
Tropical Storm
Watch
Tropical storm conditions are
possible and may affect your
area within the next 48 hours.
Tropical Storm
Warning
Tropical storm conditions are
expected in your area within
the next 36 hours.
Eye
This is the clear center of the
storm that arrives with calmer
conditions. But remember, an eye
passing over you signals that
the storm is only half over.
Rain Bands
Bands coming off the cyclone
that produce severe weather
conditions, such as heavy rain,
wind and tornadoes.
Hurricane
Watch
Hurricane conditions are
possible in the area. Watches
are issued up to 48 hours in
advance of the anticipated
storm-force winds.
Hurricane
Warning
Hurricane conditions are
expected in the area.
Warnings are issued up
to 36 hours in advance
of the storm.
Eye Wall
The area surrounding the
eye contains some of the
most severe weather of
the storm, with the highest
wind speed and heaviest
precipitation.
Storm Surge
A deadly rush of ocean of
Gulf water that occurs when
a storm makes landfall. This
often floods coastal areas
and sometimes areas further
inland.
Powering Up
After an outage.
1. High-Voltage Transmission Lines:
Transmission towers and cables that supply power to transmission substations (and thousands of members) rarely fail, but when damaged, these facilities must be repaired before other parts of the system can operate.
2. Distribution Substation:
A substation can serve hundreds or thousands of consumers. When a major outage occurs, line crews inspect substation to determine if problems stem from transmission lines feeding into the substation, the substation itself or if problems exist further down the line.
3. Main Distribution Lines:
If the problems cannot be isolated at a distribution substation, distribution lines are checked. These lines carry power to large groups of consumers in communities or housing developments.
4. Tap Lines:
If local outages persist, supply lines (also known as tap lines) are inspected. These lines deliver power to transformers, either mounted on poles or placed on pads for underground service, outside businesses, schools and homes.
5. Individual Homes:
If your home remains without power, the service lines between a transformer and your residence may need to be repaired. Always call to report an outage to help line crews isolate local issue.
2024 Hurricane
Tracking Chart
2024 Names:
- Alberto
- Beryl
- Chris
- Debby
- Ernesto
- Francine
- Gordon
- Helene
- Isaac
- Joyce
- Kirk
- Leslie
- Milton
- Nadine
- Oscar
- Patty
- Rafael
- Sara
- Tony
- Valerie
- William
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
Emergency Kit
Checklist.
Food
- 7-day supply of non-perishable food
- Hand-operated can opener
- Disposable plates, cups, utensils
- Napkins or paper towels
- Cookware to boil water
- Propane tanks for your grill so you can cook
Water
- Three gallons of water per person, per day
(FEMA recommends a 5-day supply)
Baby Needs
- Bottles, formula, and/or powdered milk
- One-week supply of diapers
- Baby wipes and diaper rash ointment
Transportation
- Maps of local and state roads
- Directions to nearby shelters
- Spare tire or tire patch kit
- Emergency roadside flares or triangles
- List of local services and their contact info
First Aid
- Fully stocked first aid kit
- Additional prescriptions or essential medicines
- List of current medications and allergies
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Fire extinguisher
- Extra cash in case ATMs are down
Sanitation & Personal Care
- Trash bags
- Disinfectant wipes or gels
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Toilet paper
- Spare set of clothes and shoes for each person
- At least one blanket per person
- Personal, feminine care items
- Soaps and shampoos
- Dust masks, plastic sheeting, duct tape
Lighting
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- A large light source (e.g. fluorescent lantern)
- Utility lighter
- A wrench or set of pliers (to turn off utilities)
Pet Needs
- One week of food and water
- Leash and a crate or carrier
- Bed, dishes, toys
- Any medications
- Battery-operated air pump for aquarium
- Vet’s contact information
Communication
- Battery-powered AM/FM radio
- NOAA hazard-alert radio
- Car or emergency charger for mobile devices
- Small notepads and pencils
- Games and activities that don’t require electricity
Hurricane Preparation
One gallon of CLEAN DRINKING WATER per individual (and pets) for 3-7 days. Fill bathtubs with water for cleaning. Save used soapy water to flush toilets.
NON-PERISHABLE FOOD to last 3-7 days for individuals and pets.
FIRST AID KIT plus a 3-7 day supply of any prescription medications.
BATTERY-POWERED WEATHER RADIO and extra batteries.
FULL GAS TANKS in your vehicles.
CHARGE electric vehicles.
Powering Up
A go bag.
Situations change. Prepare A GO BAG for each individual with you. Each Go Bag should be light and portable, carry an ID tag, and at least contain:
- Some food and water.
- A personal-sized first aid plus any prescription medicines.
- A flashlight, portable radio, fully charged cell phone.
- Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls.
Your GO BAG bag should also contain important family documents (insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, social security card, pet care information) inside a watertight resealable plastic bag or container.
How do I Know if I Should Evacuate?
Monitor weather reports about the oncoming hurricane threat. You should consider evacuating/leaving the area:
- IF you live on a barrier island with a history of storm surge damage.
- IF you live in a low-lying or flood prone area.
- IF you live in a mobile home in a coastal area.
- IF your home is in a coastal area and lacks hurricane structural reinforcing.
- IF you are vacationers with young or elderly dependents.
- IF local officials order or recommend that residents evacuate depending on expected storm severity.
Report an OutageEmergency Resources
Here’s a list of resources available to assist you during a major storm.
Keep the following contacts handy in case of an emergency.
1. National Hurricane Center
Website: nhc.noaa.gov
2. FEMA
Website: fema.gov
Phone: 800-621-3362
3. American Red Cross South Texas Chapter
Website: redcross.org
Phone: (956) 423-0523
Toll Free: (800) 785-7851
4. Ready.gov
Website: ready.gov
Phone: 1-800-FED-INFO
5. Texas Health & Human Services
Website: 211texas.org
Phone: 211
6. Magic Valley
Phone: 1-866-225-5683
Website: magicvalley.coop
In an emergency, be sure to call 911 for assistance.