Hurricane Preparedness
![[Image of 5-day forecast and coastal areas under a warning or a watch]](http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT02/refresh/AL0209W5_NL_sm2+gif/143214W5_NL_sm.gif)
Click Here for a Printer Friendly Graphic – Current Tropical Depression #2
On July 27th, the TG Center hosted the Houston TG Hurricane Preparedness Committee. The Committee identified several issues affecting the Houston transgender population during storms and among the most pronounced are safe access to emergency shelters, communication and lack of a central point of contact.
Therefore, the following measures are being undertaken by the Houston TG Hurricane Preparedness Committee:
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A mobile devise/dial-up friendly page will go up when a storm is present in the gulf. This page will list resources and have a form that will allow you submit your contact information if you would like to be checked on before and/or after the storm.
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When a storm is imminent, the page will include a very simplistic HTML-based shoutbox and very simplistic forum. The simple HTML programs will ensure mobile/dial-up access to our community during storms and will allow people to post for help, give updates or "chat" during and after the storm on mobile devices.
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If you provided an email address on a TG Center sign-in form, you will soon receive an email. This email will ask if you want to be checked on after a storm, if you will need help finding a TG-friendly safe place to evacuate to and lastly, it will ask if you would be willing to host a TG evacuee if you live to the north, east or west of Houston.
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Five committee members have agreed to be a "Point of Contact" for the TG community during a storm. Each will volunteer to contact community members who have requested a check in, coordinate communication online and act as a conduit of information within the TG Community during and after a hurricane.
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Lastly, the Houston TG Hurricane Preparedness Committee is working on making the TG Center hurricane ready. Boards for windows are being weatherized and prepared and several have volunteered to close up the Center when a hurricane hits.
We currently have a low-pressure system forming in the Gulf. Please keep yourself informed, make a plan and buy supplies before the inevitable rush of stores when hurricanes are likely.