Dear Congregation,

As we enter the most active weeks of hurricane season, I call your attention to the Hurricane Preparedness Statement below issued by the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the ELCA. It is important that each individual and family have a disaster plan. Remember, if your plan is to shelter in place, it is best to not be alone. CTK’s Emergency Response Team will be calling individual members who may need assistance. Begin now to be ready when a hurricane strikes.

Be safe! Linda Schoene, Congregational Nurse

1. Fill your gas tank and get some cash.
2. Establish a meeting place for family members in case you can’t get back to house due to flooding.
3. Choose a family member or friend outside Houston to serve as a phone contact in case family members get separated. Be sure your children have this information with them.
4. Identify individuals in your neighborhood who might need help.
5. Above all, pay close attention to weather bulletins.

To Shelter In Place

1. Food and water for three days for each member (pets included) of the household.
2. Radio, flashlights, fresh batteries.
3. Know where the shut off valves for water, gas and AC are.
4. First aid kit.

To Evacuate - Do all of the above Plus

1. Take extra clothes.
2. Take important documents with you. Social security cards, insurance papers, wills, etc.
3. Throw in camping gear if you have some.
4. Take a few items that might bring comfort to yourself or your children.
5. Take a carrier if you have a pet.
6. Notify your family contact as soon as you can so everyone will know you are safe.

Rapid Response Team of the TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod
by Glenn E. Hohlt , Assistant to the Bishop for Disaster Preparedness and Recovery , 281-873-5665

You may have heard the saying but it's worth repeating: every disaster is a local disaster. Preparation begins on the local level with individual, family and community preparedness. For your consideration we offer the following information and suggestions:

• Pray
• The Synod's Rapid Response Team has organized and is committed to meeting weekly during the next 4 weeks, traditionally the most active part of hurricane season;
• As we prepare our response we invite you to visit www.futurewithhope.org and/or www.gulfcoastsynod.org where you will find links to excellent information for your own disaster preparation;

As you prepare please consider:

• Preparing yourself first..yes it may sound selfish but it is true that in being prepared yourself you are helping others:
• Making sure that the Synod office has updated cell phone #'s for pastors;
• Checking in with those most vulnerable during a disaster, i.e. elderly, homebound, sick, single parents, people new to the community to help them with their plan;
• Remembering that many are still recovering from previous disasters;

Keep in mind:

• The Synod web site www.gulfcoastsynod.org will be a source of information before, during and after hurricane events.
• Currently the Synod web site contains a map of any system deemed worthy of tropical depression status by the National Weather Service. Tropical waves, although monitored by the NWS, do not appear.

Last updated: 2009-08-27