Texas' experts on disaster management may at any time of the year be called to respond to emergencies which may affect public health and safety.

In 1996 for example, those experts, including some from the Texas Department of Health, (TDH) worked for months to reduce the threat to humans posed by the worst wild-fire season in Texas history. And already this year, those same emergency specialists have overseen the state's response to killer tornadoes and major floods.

With hurricane season in progress from June 1 to Nov. 1, the state's emergency experts watch weather systems for all early signs of developing storms. And historically, the state's most powerful hurricanes have begun as late-season storms between early August and late October.

According to Joe Stone, coordinator of TDH's disaster response, Texas is statistically overdue for a catastrophic hurricane on its populous coast.

TDH is the primary agency to coordinate health and medical aspects of multi-agency emergency response to disasters. While TDH works closely with the Texas Division of Emergency Management at the Department of Public Safety, at least nine other agencies and many professional groups support TDH's disaster duties.

Stone explained, "The tornadoes and flooding which struck central Texas beginning in May underscored the kinds of sudden catastrophe against which Texans need to prepare." He added that TDH helped to write--and continues to update--the health and medical guidelines of the Texas Emergency Recovery Plan.
The plan defines roles, procedures, and lines of authority for state agencies during major disasters.

While the experts agree that government coordination is vital to mass preparedness, individuals and families should learn basic disaster survival practices. For example, they advise all persons in the path of a hurricane to take the following minimum precautions:

1. Stay tuned to TV and radio reports from the National Weather Service for weather watches, warnings and special advisories. Keep a battery-operated radio and extra batteries, in case of power outage. To conserve gasoline or battery power, use car radios only for emergencies. Be sure your car's gas tank is at least half full.

2. Encourage local officials to write and make available to the public a comprehensive emergency plan, if they have not done so.

3. When evacuating, follow government directions. Tell someone outside the hurricane's path of your destination. Also take a supply of cash, traveler's checks or credit cards, clothing, baby goods and prescribed medicines.

4. Avoid low-lying areas, including beaches and valleys which can be swept by storm waves or flash floods.

5. Find protection for pets. They are not allowed in public shelters.

6. Store valuables and important papers in watertight containers.

7. Weather the storm only in structures that are well-built and above danger from tides. Stock supplies of food, medicines, baby goods if needed, flashlights and batteries and make sure emergency cooking equipment is in working order. Board or shutter windows and brace doors. Gather and store all outside objects.

8. Sterilize and fill with water the bathtub, cooking utensils, jugs and other containers, in case municipal water supplies become contaminated or inoperable.

9. If the eye of the hurricane surrounds you, idling the wind for as long as a few minutes to half an hour, remain in your shelter. If you need to make emergency repairs, do so promptly and return to shelter. Be aware that violent winds will return from the opposite direction as the eye of the storm passes.

10. Try to remain calm and disregard rumors. Your ability to meet emergencies will help others.

(For more information, contact Joe Stone, Bureau of Emergency Management, at
512-834-6700 or David Vaughan, Communications Division, at 512-458-7400.)