Updated 8/24/2017 - Experts are in agreement that Hurricane Harvey will make landfall in Texas as a category 3 hurricane. It is predicted to make landfall Friday night or early Saturday morning along the Texas Gulf Coast and could cause dangerous flooding in parts of Texas and Louisiana.

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July 13, 2017 - The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season has already produced five tropical cyclones by the middle of July, a quick start for what is historically a slower time of the hurricane season. In fact, the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project updated its prediction on July 5th indicating they now believe we are headed toward an above-average season. Now is the time to prepare should a storm head your way. Here are a few tips that can help you, your home, and your family stay safe this hurricane season.

Plan an evacuation route

If you live near the coast, even if you live a few hundred miles from it, an evacuation plan is necessary. During storms like this many routes can become unavailable. In the event that you have to leave your home you should be familiar with designated evacuation routes and have a plan for where you can wait out the storm and any aftermath.

Texas Department of Transportation Hurricane Evacuation Routes

Louisiana Department of Transportation Hurricane Evacuation Routes

Stock up on supplies

As tropical systems begin to develop and forecasts become clearer, the demand for supplies ramps up. Keeping a stock of emergency items on hand is a good idea, but if you don’t have any yet this is a good time to collect them. Supplies that come in handy during a hurricane are:

• Water (1 gallon per person, per day, for at least 3 days)
• 3-7 days of non-perishable food
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• First-aid kits
• Baby needs
• Prescriptions
• Pet food

For further information, please follow this helpful link.

Make copies of important documents

Damage to your home can mean the loss of many personal items. It is crucial to keep important documents in a safe place as well as to make copies of them for easy reference. Insurance documents, deeds and titles, birth and marriage certificates, photocopies of your driver's license, and other sensitive legal documents should all be organized and available.

For further information, please follow this helpful link.

Prepare your home before any storm approaches

High winds and debris during a hurricane or tropical storm can cause significant damage to your property. Doing simple maintenance and preparation around your home can mitigate some of this risk. Trimming trees, cleaning gutters, checking your roof, and preparing storm shutters are great ways to get your home and yard ready for hurricane season.

While these are only a few tips for hurricane season they are very important. Keep an eye on the weather this summer and begin taking steps now to ensure your safety.

*Source: NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)