Missouri City’s Office of Emergency Management reminds residents that during Hurricane Preparedness Week, it is important to recognize the kind of effect storms could have on the region, even if those storms do not directly strike the City.

“Hurricanes are nature’s most powerful storms and can wreak havoc hundreds of miles from the coastal area where they make landfall,” said John Sheffield, Missouri City’s Division of Emergency Management Chief. “Hurricane season begins June 1 and continues through Nov. 30. These storms can be unpredictable, so we ask residents to take advantage of this Hurricane Preparedness Week to learn about these storms’ power and get prepared.”

Major hazards from hurricanes include: high winds, tornadoes and heavy rains.

High winds can range from 74 mph to 200 mph or more. Even the weakest hurricane can damage buildings, flood roads, knock down power lines and uproot trees. The strongest storms can destroy buildings and property. Debris propelled at 74 miles an hour can kill.

Tornadoes can be spawned by hurricanes far from the center of the storm. They may be small, difficult to track by radar and deadly. Hurricane Beulah in 1967 spawned 115 tornadoes throughout central and south central Texas.

Flooding caused by torrential rains can occur in both coastal and inland areas. The slower the storm moves, the greater the flooding may be. Heavy rainfall can occur hundreds of miles away from the center of the storm. Many people killed by hurricanes drown in inland floods.

Last summer, the City completed construction of a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the Public Safety Headquarters on Cartwright Road. Missouri City is equipped to coordinate the response and recovery efforts for any emergency situation, including hurricanes, with this state-of-the-art facility. During Hurricane Ike, the EOC was the critical center of operation for City staff who worked around the clock to protect residents’ lives and safety. After the storm, the recovery efforts were also coordinated from the EOC.

“Residents of Missouri City can be assured that City officials are prepared to manage any crisis through the EOC,” Sheffield said. “Throughout the year, City staff has been participating in emergency management training sessions so that we can respond to every kind of disaster. We are continuously working with the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management and other local and statewide agencies to coordinate preparedness efforts for this season’s potential storms.”

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