Texas weather can change quickly, especially in the winter. A fast-moving cold front can cause temperatures to drop below freezing within hours. Outdoor pipes, pipes in unheated areas, and pipes that run along uninsulated exterior walls can burst if the water in them freezes and expands. This can shatter pipe seals or the pipes themselves, sending water pouring through your house. You can avoid thousands of dollars of damage to your walls, ceilings, carpets, and furniture by taking a few simple measures to protect your home.

 Before the Freeze

• Protect faucets, outdoor pipes, and exposed pipes in unheated areas by wrapping them with rags, newspaper, trash bags, or plastic foam.
• Insulate your outdoor water meter box and be sure its lid is on tight.
• Cover any vents around your home’s foundation.
• Drain and store water hoses indoors.
• Protect outdoor electrical pumps.
• Drain swimming pool circulation systems or keep the pump motor running. (Run the pump motor only in a short freeze. Running the motor for long periods could damage it.)
• Drain water sprinkler supply lines.
• Open the cabinets under sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow heated indoor air to circulate around the water pipes.
• Set your thermostat at a minimum temperature of 55 degrees, especially when you’re gone for the day or away for an extended period.
• Let indoor faucets drip; it isn't necessary to run a stream of water.
• Make sure you know where your home’s shut-off valve is and how to turn it on and off.
• If you leave town, consider turning off your water at the shut-off valve while faucets are running to drain your pipes. Make sure you turn the faucets off before you turn the shut-off valve back on.
• If you drain your pipes, contact your electric or gas utility company for instructions on protecting your water heater.

 If Your Pipes Freeze

• If a pipe bursts and floods your home, turn the water off at the shut-off valve.  Call a plumber for help if you can’t find the broken pipe or if it’s inaccessible.  Don’t turn the water back on until the pipe has been repaired.
• If the pipe hasn’t burst, thaw it out with an electric heating pad, hair dryer or towel soaked with hot water. Apply heat by slowly moving the heat source toward the coldest spot on the pipe. Never concentrate heat in one spot because cracking ice can shatter a pipe. Turn the faucet on and let it run until the pipe is thawed and water pressure returns to normal.
• Don’t use a blowtorch or other open-flame device. They are fire risks and carbon monoxide exposure risks.
  

If You Have a Loss

• Contact your insurance agent or company promptly. Follow up as soon as possible with a written claim to protect your rights under Texas’ prompt-payment law.
• Review your coverage. Most homeowners and renters policies pay for property repair. In addition, most policies pay for debris removal and for additional living expenses if you have to move temporarily because of damage to your home. If you can’t find your policy, ask your agent or company for a copy.
• Homeowners policies may require you to make temporary repairs to protect your property from further damage. Your policy covers the cost of these repairs. Keep all receipts and damaged property for the adjuster to inspect. If possible, take photos or videos of the damage before making repairs. Don’t make permanent repairs. An insurance company may deny a claim if you make permanent repairs before an adjuster inspects the damage.
• Most homeowners policies do not cover loss caused by freezing pipes while your house is unoccupied unless you used reasonable care to maintain heat in the building; shut off the water supply; and drain water from plumbing, heating, and air conditioning systems.
  

Questions?

If you have questions about insurance, call TDI’s Consumer Help Line toll-free: 1-800-252-3439 or visit the TDI website: www.tdi.state.tx.us. Assistance is available in both English and Spanish.

The 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE is the number to call when you don't know who to call. It is a free call with information about virtually every health and social service available. The extensive knowledge of available community resources, the 2-1-1 call specialists can connect callers with service to meet their needs. Some of those needs include help in finding affordable child car, drug or alcohol recovery programs, food stamp eligibility, care for aging parent or relative and even housing and utility assistance.

The 2-1-1 call specialists are always standing by, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are answered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, French, with access to a translation line with support in more than 150 additional languages. For more information click on http://www.unitedwayhouston.org/?id=38

www.TexasFlu.org ,developed by the Texas Department of State Health Services has the latest information for seasonal and H1N1 flu.

 The site will be updated with new and revised information as the flu season progresses as well as locations for receiving a flu shot.

 Residents are encouraged to visit the site for updates.

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Missouri City residents can now tune into a new information station - 1690 AM. Staff has completed the installation of the City's low-power broadcasting station and it is on the air.

"The station will primarily be used to transmit weather bulletins and traffic and road construction updates, featuring directions to City landmarks and events," said Fire & Rescue Service Chief Russell Sander. "The station will also allow the City's Emergency Operations Center to provide information and instructions during amber alerts, flash floods, hurricanes, power outages and other emergencies.

"After seeing a need for this service following Hurricane Ike, when all types of public information outlets were inoperable, including the internet, telephone and cell phones, the City realized that we could still put out emergency information by radio when all other sources were down," said John Sheffield, Missouri City's Division of Emergency Preparedness Chief.

In case of a similar situation int he future, the City's low-power AM radio station will be accessible to the public via a hand-cranked or battery-powered radio, providing staff with another avenue to share important emergency messages with residents. All City residents should be able to tune in and no special reception equipment is required. Signs will be installed along major roadways alerting residents to the new station.

City Council approved the purchase of the $44,895 radio station at its June 7 meeting. More than 35 low-power AM Radio stations are currently operating in Texas, including one by Fort Bend County. "These stations are a critical part of the emergency notification system in jurisdictions across the country, including in Stafford, Fort Bend County and Harris County," Sheffield said.

COMMUNITY ADVISORY

During Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 24 to 30, Missouri City residents are asked to get ready for the hurricane season, which starts next week.

“Before the storm season begins June 1, we ask residents to commit a little time to learning about hurricanes and preparing themselves and their families to deal with any potential weather challenges we might face in Missouri City,” said John Sheffield, the City’s Division of Emergency Management Chief.

Hurricanes are measured as categories one through five, based on speed of the storm’s winds. But even the weakest category one hurricane can damage buildings, knock down power lines, flood roads and uproot trees. A category four hurricane will cause about 100 times the damage of a category one storm.

“These storms are very unpredictable,” Sheffield said. “Hurricanes can change directions unexpectedly and strike 70 to 100 miles away from the place they were supposed to make landfall, so it is important residents be prepared to shelter in place for any storm. Storm surge can rise as high as 20 feet as the high water sweeps inland and onto the coast. Flooding can be a significant issue in coastal areas, so we urge residents to be prepared for any category of storm.”

Hurricane categories are:

Category 1: 74 to 95 mph – Minimal damage to building structures. Damage primarily occurs to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery and trees. Some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage. Debris propelled at 74 mph can injure or kill.

Category 2: 96 to 110 mph – Moderate damage. Some roofing material, door and window damage to buildings. Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile homes and piers.  Small boats in unprotected anchorages break moorings.

Category 3: 111 to 130 mph – Extensive damage to small residences, utility buildings and other smaller structures, with a minor amount of curtain wall failures.  Mobile homes are destroyed. Larger structures damaged by floating debris.

Category 4: 131 to 155 mph – Extreme damage, including more extensive wall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences.  Major erosion of beach area.  Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore.

Category 5: Over 155 mph – Catastrophic damage, including complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings.  Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away.  Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet above sea level.

To prepare homes for the arrival of potential storms this season, the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management suggests obtaining items needed to board up homes and windows. Other precautions include reviewing insurance policies for protection against wind and flood damage and obtaining waterproof containers for those important papers.

COMMUNITY ADVISORY

With this final week of May designated as Hurricane Preparedness Week, Missouri City residents are urged to be prepared for the storm season, which begins June 1.

"Hurricanes are the greatest weather threat to Texas," said John Sheffield, Missouri City's Division of Emergency Management Chief. "During Hurricane Preparedness Week, all residents should get familiar with some of the basic terms used to describe storms, so that they'll know what to do when a storm warning or watch is issued for our region."

Hurricane categories are based on the level of damage from hurricane winds. A storm forms when air over the ocean warms up, picks up moisture and begins moving in a circular motion. This forms a tropical depression: an area of low pressure that draws more air in from other areas.

When the wind speed increases above 39 mph, the tropical depression becomes a tropical storm and the storm is given a name. When the winds reach 74 mph, the storm becomes a hurricane.

• A tropical storm watchis issued when a tropical storm system is about 36 hours away from land.
• A tropical storm warningis issued when a tropical storm is about 24 hours away from land.
• A hurricane watchis issued when a hurricane is about 36 hours away from land.
• A hurricane warningis issued when winds reach 74 mph or more, and the storm is 24 hours away or less.

"When there's a major storm in the Gulf of Mexico, monitor the media and listen for instructions from Missouri City's Office of Emergency Management," Sheffield said. "Do not take tropical storms for granted. Even slow moving tropical storms can be deadly."

Community Advisory

With stormy weather conditions seasonally affecting the area, citizens are encouraged to use caution on roadways.When the road is wet, the film of the water on the asphalt causes tires to lose traction.  The rain also reduces driver perception and decreases visibility.  While most people know to slow down in the rain, here are other tips that can save your life:

• Exercise extreme caution after a long dry spell. During a dry period, engine oil and grease build up on the road over time. When mixed with water from a new rainfall, the road becomes extremely slick. 
  
•  Allow for more travel time. You should plan to drive at a slower pace than normal when the roads are wet.  Traffic is likely to be moving slower due to accidents or flooded roads.
  
• Brake earlier and with less force than you would normally. Not only does this increase the stopping distance between you and the car in front of you, it also lets the driver behind you know that you're slowing down.
  
• Avoid crossing flooded areas.  If you come to an area that is covered with water, you will not know the depth of the water or the condition of the ground under the water. This is especially true at night, when your vision is more limited.  Also, standing water can splash up into your car's engine compartment could damage its internal electrical systems.
  
• Turn on your headlights, even when there's a light sprinkle. It helps you see the road, and more importantly, it helps other motorists see you.
  
• Watch out for pedestrians. Keep a sharp lookout for people in the road.
  
• Pull over and wait it out, if it's raining so hard that you can't see the road or the car in front of you.
  
• Give a truck or bus extra distance. Their extra-large tires can create enough spray to block your vision completely.  Avoid passing one, but if you must pass, do it as quickly as safety allows.
  
• Defog your windows. Rain will quickly cause your windshield to fog up.

Play it smart, play it safe.  Whether driving or walking, any time you come to a flooded road, TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN!

 Turn Around, Don't Drown (TADD):  http://tadd.weather.gov/tadd-intro.shtml  

National Weather Service (NWS):  http://www.nws.noaa.gov/

April 17, 2009