Written By: Nabihah Akram (Meteorology Shadow)
There is a new tool that has just came out called the Storm Risk Calculator made by the city of Houston and Rice University. This tool allows residents and business owners to enter their address and learn about the risk for rainfall, power outage, rain damage, or storm surge. The user can also adjust the strength of the storm from a Category 1-5 in order to see how the risks will increase or decrease depending on the size of the hurricane. This product took five years to make with the hope that it would direct Houstonians in making better-educated decisions in the next emergency. As Robert Stein said, “The best way to get people to do something is to give them the information that they need to make an educated decision.” The goal for this product is to decrease the number of unnecessary evacuations for Houstonians and the panic that comes along with it. According to Storemski the greater Houston area is more prepared because of this project and Harris County is in store for another storm like Rita.
Hurricanes are very dangerous and you can never be too prepared. First you should make sure your house meets building code requirements for high-wind regions. Experts say that if the house meets or exceeds the certain requirements for current model building codes it has a better chance of surviving violent windstorms. For windows that would have a greater chance in surviving a wind storm, it would be best to install impact-resistant window systems. If you are caught outside in high winds you should take cover next a nearby building, avoid elevated areas, uses handrails if possible, and so not go near railroads or train tracks. For more information about what do in high winds, hurricane home protection, other good to know things about hurricane safety visit, and the Storm Risk Calculator you can visit http://risk.rtsnets.com/.
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