EMERGENCY RESPONSE
If you may require emergency assistance in a severe weather event due to functional disabilities, personal care or other issues, you should register with the Texas STEAR database at 211 or 877-541-7905. See: https://tdem.texas.gov/stear/uh
Dear Friends,
To help you protect both yourself, your family, and your belongings from the hazards of flooding, we’ve included some key actions to take when you receive a flash flood watch alert from the National and Local Weather Service. We will update the congregation with any changes in the schedule of services. Of course, if it is raining very hard or the streets are flooded, do not attempt to come to the synagogue.
If there is a need, we will send out instructions for Shabbat observance during severe weather.
As always the UOS professionals and volunteers are ready to assist in any way we can.
Please see below for links to more resources, including a hurricane prep list and weather information.
If needed we will have a link here for Shabbat Halachik instructions.
Before a Potential Flood (Get a kit, Make a plan, Stay informed, Be involved)
· Get a kit: Make sure you have fresh water, non-perishable food, cash, portable batteries, flashlights, personal items, medication
· Keep your phone charged and have battery packs available as well as a waterproof bag close by to put in if needed.
· Make a plan: Pack a “go bag”. Click here for more info on making a plan.
· Stay informed: Keep a TV/radio on so you can stay up-to-date on any weather reports and emergency instructions. Click here for the readyharris.org info site.
· Know where to go: Identify areas of higher elevation in the event of flooding. Park vehicles is a place where they will not flood.
· Secure your belongings: Bring in or secure any outdoor furniture/items.
· Find your important papers (Insurance etc.) double zip lock it and place in a high space or the dish washer.
· Disconnect all electrical appliances.
· Park you car in a high driveway or at Willow Meadows Church. Park it with the tail pipe in the higher end, so that the water doesn’t enter the system and ruin your car. If you live in an apartment building, park your car on a high level. · Make sure to have extra food and water for your pet
During a Flood
· Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just six inches of moving water can knock a person down and one to two feet of water can move a vehicle.
· Move to higher ground as quickly as possible.
· If you are in your car and water is rising around your car: 1) if the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground, or 2) if the water is moving, stay in the car and do not enter the moving water.
After a Flood
· If you left your home, only return when authorities say it is safe to do so.
· Watch out for debris and areas that may have eroded due to flooding.
· Do not attempt to drive through areas that are still flooded.
· Avoid standing in water.
· Take pictures of damaged property for your insurance purposes.
If you are in a possibly life threatening situation, please call 911 immediately, even on Shabbat or Yom Tov. In the event that you need local emergency assistance, please call Jeff Klein at 832-606-4226 or Dr. Barry Diner at 404-210-0539.
It is important to note that we do not wait for an emergency to develop to deal with it on Shabbat or Yom Tov. Rather, we take all measures to avoid an emergency developing as soon as it becomes relevant.
For all other questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Rabbi Sprung at 443-253-1441, Jeff Klein at 832-606-4226 or Doreen Lerner at 713-444-8587.
Please look out for further messages from UOS.
Finally, if you know of anyone who you think is at risk or in a dangerous situation, please contact us at one of the above.
Be safe and stay dry!
Please read below for a list of provisions and emergency kit preparation, as well as other resources.
A partial list of necessities includes:
Extra masks - remember that masks that are damp or wet no longer adequately provide protection.
Drinking water (1 gallon per person per day) - enough for 7 days
Non-perishable food (dry and canned) - enough for 7 days
Baby formula and food for 7 days
Diapers for 7 days
Manual can opener
Disposable plates, cups and cutlery
Pet food - enough for 7 days
Flashlight or lantern
Batteries for flashlights and radio
Battery operated radio
Required medicines
Alcohol, disinfectant
Hand sanitizer
Paper towels and toilet paper
Garbage bags
Insect repellent, sunscreen
Games, books, puzzles
Get a full list of Emergency Essentials here .
Links:
We encourage you to review or make a family emergency plan - including an emergency communication plan. While we have not been in mandatory evacuation area in the past, you can find all evacuation orders at: Zip-Zone Evacuation Map .
Be sure to stay informed by listening to your local television and radio news programs. Also, you can find information on the following websites:
· Register for STEAR (State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (Must be done annually): STEAR
· Houston Responds: Local Houston disaster response resources
· CDC site for hurricane prep during covid:
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/covid-19/prepare-for-hurricane.html
· Tropical Weather: National Hurricane Center
· Forecasts: National Weather Service Houston-Galveston
· Harris County Flood Control District: Flood Warning System
· City of Houston Emergency Preparedness Website: http://readyhouston.wpengine.com/
· Harris County Office of Emergency Management Preparedness: http://readyharris.org/
· Centerpoint: https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/corporate/about-us/news/1505
· Federal flood information: www.ready.gov/floods
· Harris County OEM Kids Preparedness information: https://www.ready.gov/kids
· Harris County OEM Seniors Preparedness information: https://www.ready.gov/seniors
· Community: community.fema.gov/hazard/flood/be-smart
· Houston Transtar: http://www.houstontranstar.org/
We will strive to keep you updated as the situation warrants.
Remember - if it is raining too hard, do not venture out. Various locations in our area tend to flood during heavy rains, and it is often difficult to judge the depth of these flooded areas, especially in the dark. The most important thing is to stay safe.
UOS Storm Response Team