Feel free to prepare for storm

By John Lowman
The Facts
Published May 20, 2009

LAKE JACKSON — Emergency planners are preparing themselves for the possibility of another hurricane striking close to home, and they encourage area residents to take advantage of a free opportunity to do the same.

The annual “Perfect Storm” hurricane preparedness seminar will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Lake Jackson Civic Center, Brazoria County Emergency Management Coordinator Kenneth “Doc” Adams said. This year’s event is themed “Lessons Learned from Ike” after Hurricane Ike blasted the area last September, causing billions of dollars in damage from Brazoria County to Sabine Pass.

One of the main focuses is being prepared, Adams said.

“Some of the people who evacuated suffered hardships last year they would not have had to suffer if they’d have read our brochure,” Adams said of a booklet set to be mailed to all county residents. “If they’d have taken a few minutes and looked at it, they would have been much better prepared.”

That is the reason for the seminar, Brazoria County Marine Extension Agent Rich Tillman said.

“We want to protect lives and property,” Tillman said. “Since we’re right on the coast, everybody in Brazoria County is vulnerable to some extent.”

Two of the three 2-1-1 evacuation hubs in the county are moved. The former Alvin location this year will be at Dawson High School in Pearland, while the Angleton hub will be at the Brazoria County Fairgrounds. The West Columbia site remains at the West Columbia Civic Center.

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