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Hurricanes & Tropical Weather
Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, and Tropical Depressions threaten lives and property in coastal and inland communities.
In Friendswood, tropical weather may bring:
- Heavy rainfall, causing inland flooding,
- Strong winds, and
- Tornadoes.
IF YOU ARE UNDER AN EVACUATION ORDER, EVACUATE.
Follow the instructions from the Mayor and local officials. They work closely with other local, state, and federal agencies to determine appropriate safety measures for our community.
NOW
- Sign up for the Friendswood Notification System. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
- Know types of hurricane and tropical weather risks in your area. Visit Flood Risk in Friendswood or FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center for information.
- Know your Zip Zone and evacuation routes. See Evacuation Maps below for more details.
- Build an emergency supply kit in case you must leave immediately or if services are cut off.
- Purchase or renew a flood insurance policy and a windstorm insurance policy, including contents coverage. Homeowners (and some Renters) policies do not cover flooding or windstorm damage. It typically takes up to 30 days for a policy to go into effect so the time to buy is well before a disaster.
- Create and maintain a household inventory. Take photos and videos of all household items and valuables. This includes documenting the makes, models, and serial numbers for all major appliances and pieces of electronic equipment.
- Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies.
- Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.
DURING
- Listen to the Friendswood Notification System, EAS, or NOAA Weather Radio for current emergency information and instructions.
- If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Never drive around barricades.
- Go to the safe location you previously identified.
- Determine how best to protect yourself from high winds and flooding.
- Take refuge in a designated storm shelter, or an interior room for high winds.
- If trapped in a building by flooding, go to the highest level of the building. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water.
- Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
AFTER
- Listen to authorities for information and instructions. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
- Be careful during clean-up. Wear protective clothing, use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris, and maintain a physical distance of at least six feet while working with someone else. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled, even if they do not have an allergy to mold. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
- Wear protective clothing and work with someone else.
- Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent electric shock.
- Do not wade in flood water, which can contain dangerous pathogens that cause illnesses, debris, chemicals, waste and wildlife. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
- Save phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.
- Document any property damage with photographs. Contact your insurance company for assistance.
The Houston-Galveston Area Council maintains the Hurricane Evacuation Maps for our area.
Zip Zone Maps
On these maps, Friendswood's 77546 ZIP Code is listed as 77546n (77546 North) and 77546s (77546 South). The Harris-Galveston County Line (or locally known as Clear Creek) is the boundary. The zip zone 77546n is in Harris County and zip zone 77546s is in Galveston County.
Evacuation Routes Maps
These evacuation routes are specially designated roadways used to provide the safest and most timely evacuation of coastal areas during a hurricane threat.