If you have been watching Tropical Storm Edouard move closer to Southeast Texas and wondering whether it is time to get serious about preparing, the answer is yes.
There is no need to panic, but Tuesday morning is the time to take care of the things you will not want to handle once the rain is pouring, the wind is blowing or water begins covering roads.
Edouard is expected to move inland over Southeast Texas Tuesday night, bringing the potential for several inches of rain to Liberty County and surrounding areas. Some locations could receive considerably more, raising concerns about flash flooding in low-lying areas and communities with drainage problems.
There also is a possibility of isolated tornadoes as the storm moves through the region.
So, before the weather goes downhill, take a walk around your house.
Bring in the patio furniture, or at least secure it. Pick up the trash cans, toys, flowerpots, umbrellas, decorations and anything else that could blow across the yard or into a neighbor’s property. Secure grills and pool equipment. If you have something outside that you would hate to see damaged or carried away, secure it now.
Then go inside and start charging things.
Charge your cellphone, laptop, tablet, portable battery packs and anything else you might need if the power goes out. Check the flashlights and make sure you know where you keep them. It is much easier to find batteries in daylight than in a dark house during a storm.
Take a look at your pantry, too. You do not need to buy out the grocery store, but you should have enough food and drinking water to get your household through a few days if necessary. Make sure you have baby supplies, toiletries, medications and anything needed by elderly family members or others with special needs.
Do not forget the animals. Check your supply of pet food and medications, and keep leashes and carriers handy in case you need them quickly.
If your vehicle is running low on fuel, fill the tank before conditions deteriorate. The same goes for gas cans needed for generators or other equipment. Electric vehicles and rechargeable equipment should be fully charged.
People who live in places that have flooded before already know their trouble spots. If your driveway, yard or usual parking area tends to hold water, consider moving vehicles, tractors, lawn equipment and other valuable items to higher ground before the rain begins.
It also is a good time to protect important papers. Gather insurance information, identification, medical records and other documents and place them in a waterproof container or bag. Take a few photos or a quick video of your home, vehicles and valuable property. Hopefully, you will never need the images for an insurance claim, but they are easy to take now and impossible to recreate after damage occurs.
Keep some cash on hand as well. Power and internet outages can temporarily knock out ATMs and credit-card machines.
Since tornadoes are possible Tuesday afternoon and evening, decide where you and your family will seek shelter if a warning is issued. Choose an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows. Make sure everyone in the household knows the location before an emergency arises.
Perhaps the most important preparation for Liberty County residents is knowing when to stay home.
Heavy tropical rain can overwhelm drainage systems quickly. A road that was passable an hour earlier may not be safe when you return. If conditions deteriorate Tuesday, avoid unnecessary travel whenever possible.
If you come upon water covering a roadway, turn around.
Do not assume you know the depth simply because you have driven that road a thousand times. Floodwater can hide a washed-out shoulder or damaged roadway, and moving water can carry away a vehicle.
Finally, keep your phone nearby and your weather alerts turned on. Edouard is a small tropical system that could strengthen before reaching the coast, and forecasts can change as new information becomes available.