GUEST SAFETY
HURRICANE
Dear Valued Owner and Guests,
We have prepared this booklet in the hope that you will never need to use the information it contains. This booklet was prepared to provide you with information that will allow you to have a safe vacation and assisting you in making and informed decision as to if and when you leave Galveston Island in the event that a tropical storm or a hurricane is approaching the Gulf Coast States.
Thank You,
Natthan Birkett
Resort Manager
Pointe West
Hurricane Facts
A hurricane is a severe tropical storm that forms in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico or in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Hurricanes need warm tropical oceans, moisture and light winds above them. If the right conditions last long enough, a hurricane can produce violent winds, incredible waves, torrential rains and floods.
Hurricanes rotate in a counterclockwise direction around an "eye." Hurricanes have winds at least 74 miles per hour. There are on average six Atlantic hurricanes each year; over a three-year period, about five hurricanes strike the United States coastline from Texas to Maine.
When hurricanes move onto land, the heavy rain, strong winds and heavy waves can damage buildings, trees and cars. The heavy waves are called a storm surge. Storm surge is very dangerous and a major reason why you MUST stay away from the ocean during a hurricane warning or hurricane.
Hurricane Watch
During a hurricane watch there is no immediate danger. Announcements are made for specific coastal areas that hurricane conditions are possible with in 72 hours. Once a Hurricane Warning is posted, if the area could be directly affected by the hurricane almost all services will be limited. There could be interruption of utility services and could last up to several days after the storm has passed.
Once a watch is issued for the Galveston Island area, you should begin to formulate your plans. Please stay in contact with everyone in your party at all times. Please monitor the weather channel. This also a good time to fuel your car, if the electrical services fail the pumps will be out of service.
Hurricane Warning
When a warning is posted it is time to begin making decisions. If you are going to leave the area you should be prepared to do so. The limited number of evacuation routes means there will be traffic congestion and travel will be slow. The one place you do not want to be in a hurricane is in your car.
When winds exceed 75 MPH, all local and emergency services are stopped, including fire, ambulance and police. The decision to stay on property is your decision.
General storm classifications
Tropical Depression
An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph or less
Tropical Storm
An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph
Hurricane
An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher
Categories
Hurricanes are categorized according to the strength of their winds. A Category 1 storm has the lowest wind speeds, while a Category 5 hurricane has the strongest. However, lower category storms can sometimes inflict greater damage than higher category storms, depending on where they strike and the particular hazards they bring. In fact, tropical storms can also produce significant damage and loss of life, mainly due to storm surge and flooding.
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
Tropical Storm - Winds 39-73 mph
Category 1 Hurricane — winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt)
No real damage to buildings. Damage to unanchored mobile homes. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage.
- Examples: Irene 1999 and Allison 1995
Category 2 Hurricane — winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt)
Some damage to building roofs, doors and windows. Considerable damage to mobile homes. Flooding damages piers and small craft in unprotected moorings may break their moorings. Some trees blown down.
- Examples: Bonnie 1998, Georges(FL & LA) 1998 and Gloria 1985
Category 3 Hurricane — winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt)
Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings. Large trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly built signs destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain may be flooded well inland.
- Examples: Keith 2000, Fran 1996, Opal 1995, Alicia 1983 and Betsy 1965
Category 4 Hurricane — winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt)
More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. Terrain may be flooded well inland.
- Examples: Hugo 1989 and Donna 1960
Category 5 Hurricane — winds 156 mph and up (135+ kt)
Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Flooding causes major damage to lower floors of all structures near the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas may be required.
Eye
Comparative light winds that make up the center of a severe tropical hurricane. Depending on the forward speed of the storm, the eye may pass within minutes and then the storms will intensity again, but from the opposite direction. Please do not go outside during the passing of the eye.
Storm Surge
An abnormal rise is sea level caused by the wall of Ocean Water pushed towards the coast by the storm. The hight of the storm surge increases with the intensity of the storm and is greatly influenced by high or low tides.
Strike Probability
The probability, in percent, that the hurricane center will pass with-in 50 miles to the right or 75 miles to the left of the listed location within the indicated time period.
Evacuation Route
Head east on Highway 3005 towards Downtown Galveston, following evacuation route signage. Turn left on 61st street, enter I-45 heading north bound towards Houston.
Do not go west bound on Highway 3005. This route is not a designated for evacuation.
Evacuation Plan
REMEMBER TO LET A RELATIVE OR FRIEND KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND HAVE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS CONTACT THEM FOR INFORMATION ON YOUR SITUATION. Designate one person who lives out of the region as your family contact person and let everyone know to contact them.
Tips if you plan to stay:
It is extremely important to have an emergency plan BEFORE a storm threatens. Make your plan NOW. Only plan to ride out the storm if you live outside the evacuation zone and live in a sturdy well built home. Riding out the storm inland is far safer than being caught in your vehicle in hurricane conditions.
Prepare your home:
If possible board up or shutter windows and brace garage doors. Make sure you have your hurricane supply kit ready.
Designate a safe room to ride out the storm:
This room can be a small interior closet, bathroom, or any room in the interior of your home without windows. This is where you will go to ride out the worst part of the storm. Have a mattress or pillows handy to shield your family should conditions become severe.
Evacuation Tips:
Once again, is extremely important to have an emergency plan BEFORE a storm threatens. Make your plan NOW. If you plan to leave the region:
§ Do so EARLY
§ Plan your route
§ Have a place to stay
§ Have a family contact person
If you plan on a long distance evacuation:
You must do so BEFORE the Hurricane Warnings are issued. Before leaving make sure you have an alternate route to get there. Do not count on available hotel rooms. Call ahead and make a reservation or stay with someone you know.
If your plan is to wait and see if the orders are given:
Evacuate LOCALLY. Do not attempt to travel out of the region or the state. Evacuate to a local shelter, hotel or to someone you know who lives outside of the evacuation zone in a sturdy building.
What if I fail to evacuate?:
Every person who has defied an evacuation order and rode out a storm in an evacuation zone all said that they would never do it again. You place your own life at risk.
High-rise buildings are especially at risk because hurricane winds are much stronger with height. Winds at ground level blowing at 100 mph may be near 160 mph at the 4th or 5th floors. Plus you may become isolated and help will not be able to reach you.
Persons who fail to evacuate may also face extended periods of time when help will not be available due to isolation. People who do not evacuate when ordered are in violation of the law.
Evacuation Route
Head east on Highway 3005 towards Downtown Galveston, following evacuation route signage. Turn left on 61st street, enter I-45 heading north bound towards Houston.
Do not go west bound on Highway 3005. This route is not a designated for evacuation.
Contact Phone Numbers
CITY OF GALVESTON
EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER 409-797-3710
POLICE
EMERGENCY 911
MAIN NUMBER 409-797-3700
CHIEF 409-797-3700
COMMUNITY RELATIONS 409-797-3830
FIRE
EMERGENCY 911
MAIN NUMBER 409-797-3850
CHIEF 409-797-3850
COMMUNITY RELATIONS 409-797-3850
PUBLIC WORKS
STREETS & DRAINAGE 409-797-3630
TRAFFIC SIGNALS 409-797-3940
SEWER 409-797-3945
WATER 409-797-3946
UNIV. OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH
MAIN NUMBER 409-772-1011
EMERGENCY ROOM 409-772-1521
CENTER POINTE ENERGY
POWER OUTAGES 800-332-7143
GALVESTON COUNTY
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE 800-393-0203
MOSQUITO CONTROL 800-842-5622
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
EMERGENCY 911
MAIN NUMBER 409-766-2300
SHERIFF 409-766-2301
BEACH PATROL 409-763-4769
STATE OF TEXAS
DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFTEY 409-938-7899
DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION 512-463-8585
U.S. GOVERNMENT
CORP OF ENGINEERS 409-766-3899