Plan, pack and prepare: CHRISTUS Health urges early hurricane preparedness

As southeast Texas goes through another hurricane season, CHRISTUS Health is urging the community to take proactive steps to prepare for potential storms.

“Living near the Gulf Coast, we know how quickly a tropical storm can strengthen and how unpredictable a hurricane’s path can be,” said Lydia Worthen, emergency preparedness and safety director for CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System. “Don’t wait until a storm is in the forecast. It’s critical to be prepared before it even forms.”

She said even weaker storms can bring widespread damage through flooding, power outages and high winds. Families should have a well-stocked emergency bag and a clear evacuation or shelter-in-place plan set before storms approach the region.

“Every household should have extra water, gasoline, flashlights, batteries, medications and a way to get emergency weather alerts,” Worthen said. “By the time a storm is in the forecast, it may be too late to stock up on items. Gathering them ahead of time ensures you’re ready before a storm hits the radar.”

CHRISTUS Health recommends the following items in your hurricane emergency bag:

• Prescription medications
• NOAA weather radio
• Bottled water (at least one gallon per person per day)
• Non-perishable food
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Important documents in a waterproof container
• Phone chargers and backup power banks

Worthen encourages families to involve children in storm preparation and to review safety procedures together.

“Preparation starts at home,” she said. “If you’ve rehearsed what to do, you’re more likely to stay calm, act quickly and stay safe when it matters most.”