Preparation Urged as Flooding Expected in East Texas from Harvey

TYLER – The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) encourages all East Texas residents to begin making plans to prepare for the impending rainfall that our area is expected to receive from the residual storms of Hurricane Harvey. NET Health says it is particularly important to be prepared if you live in a low-lying area, near a body of water (creeks, streams, lakes, etc.) or downstream from a large body of water. Emergency Management Officials have advised the public to call 2-1-1 for up-to-date shelter information. 2-1-1 is a free statewide program available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Preparing emergency kits for your family is termed an important step in keeping them safe and healthy during a disaster. If a disaster strikes in our community, you might not have access to food, water, or electricity for several days. Stores will quickly sell out of important supplies after an emergency strikes, so officials say it is important that you have the resources and plans in place now. NET Health urges that you review the checklist below and start making plans today:

ï‚· Collect AT LEAST 3 days of food for every member of your family
ï‚· Collect AT LEAST 1 gallon of water per day for every member of your family
ï‚· Check on your neighbors to make sure they are also getting prepared for possible flooding
ï‚· Check on elderly family members and anyone you know who may live in isolation
ï‚· Write down the cell phone numbers of people you need to contact, in case cell phone service becomes
unavailable or if you may lose your cell phone

ï‚· Stock up on having extra batteries for your flashlights, cell phones and necessary medical devices
ï‚· In case you will need to evacuate your home, make sure to create a list of all of your prescription
medications, of all of your doctors and all of your medical providers
ï‚· Place all important documents (insurance cards, emergency contact information, immunizations
records, etc.) within waterproof materials (i.e. – Ziploc bags, Tupperware containers)

Residents are encouraged to visit http://www.healthyeasttx.org/important-notices/ to review all of the items that you need for a Family Emergency Plan and to see all of the items that should make up your Emergency Supply List. Follow NET Health on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information about flooding preparations.