This is Module 3, all about present hazards in Texas. In this module, we are going to describe the different types of hazards that are most prevalent in Texas and at the end discuss some common preparedness items. Texas is subject to a lot of different hazards or weather events that can cause damage and disruption of services. This will cover the seven main hazards that Texas faces. Hazard number one is hurricanes. A hurricane is a tropical cyclone that has organized thunderstorms. A hurricane is classified by its wind speed and once it reaches sustained winds of 74 miles per hour, it is now classified as a hurricane. Anything under 74 miles per hour of wind is typically classified as a tropical storm. Texas typically sees hurricanes along its coast, but we can feel the ramifications a little bit farther upstate. A second hazard is floods. Flooding is the most common disaster in Texas, and flash flooding happens often and is when a flood happens by heavy rainfall in a very short period of time. It is important to note that while water is one of the main issues in floods, debris within the water and individuals getting sick from water contamination can also be a large hazard during a flooding event. Texas also experiences wildfires, which is a fire that burns out of control in a natural area like a forest, grassland, or prairie, and we often see these during the summer months where our heat is, well, hot. Texas is also at the very end of Tornado Alley, so we do experience some tornadoes, typically in the northern portion of Texas. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm all the way to the ground. Texas also experiences a lot of thunderstorms, which is a storm that includes heavy rain, lightning, and loud thunder. It's important to note while you may not always see it, every single thunderstorm produces lightning. While rare, Texas does experience winter storms, which is a combination of heavy snow, blowing snow, and or dangerous wind chills. And finally, Texas experiences a lot of extreme heat. Extreme heat is defined as a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two days. When you think about heat, we may think about it as it being normal. However, heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather hazards. So what can you do to start thinking about disability preparedness within disasters? Well, it's important to note that you have all your materials and announcements available in different languages, and that that language is done in plain language so everybody can get the same information independently. It's also important to think about having ASL, or American Sign Language, available on all of your public announcements so that individuals who are hard of hearing or deaf or use ASL as their primary language can have access to the same information on public announcements. Ensure that your sheltering plans are inclusive and accessible. Don't think just about if there is a ramp inside, but also is there space for an individual to have their service animal? Is there a space to take that service animal out? What about different types of mobility aids? It's also important to ensure that public preparedness messaging includes tips for people with disabilities, as we have noticed that when individuals with disabilities are not specifically mentioned, individuals with disabilities and their families are less likely to engage with your messaging. It's also important to spread awareness on how hot heat and extreme heat can affect individuals who take some forms of medications, as the heat can interact with those medications in different ways. In our next module, we'll be discussing about disabilities in disasters, specifically around some statistics.

Texas hazards

hurricanes

extreme heat

preparedness

wildfires