Prepare without panic: CHRISTUS Health shares hurricane readiness tips

Hurricane season begins today in Southeast Texas and CHRISTUS Health encourages residents to prepare early and make emergency plans before severe weather develops.

“Our community has been through many hurricane seasons together and has seen first-hand how quickly conditions can change,” said Lydia Worthen, emergency preparedness and safety director for CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System. “The best time to prepare is before there’s a storm. Having supplies ready and a plan in place can help keep families safe and reduce stress during an emergency.”

She said hurricanes and tropical systems can create dangerous conditions even if they do not make direct landfall, including flash flooding, extended power outages and hazardous road conditions.

“Stores can run out of essentials quickly once a storm is approaching,” Worthen said. “I encourage families to build emergency kits now and review evacuation routes or their shelter plans ahead of time. Preparing early gives families time to gather what they need without the last-minute rush and helps to ensure they can respond quickly if conditions worsen.”

CHRISTUS Health recommends every household keep a hurricane preparedness kit stocked with:

• Prescription medications
• Bottled water, at least one gallon per person per day
• Non-perishable food
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• A first-aid kit
• Cell phone chargers and backup power banks
• Important documents stored in a waterproof container
• A NOAA weather radio for emergency alerts

Worthen encourages parents to include children in emergency planning conversations, so everyone understands what to expect if severe weather develops.

“Knowing the plan ahead of time can help families stay calm and focused during a storm,” she said. “Simple preparation steps taken now can make a big impact when severe weather threatens our community.”