Hurricane Harvey Expected to be Category 3 Hurricane
According to the Galveston Daily News, Hurricane Harvey will make landfall on Friday evening. It will bring a 2 to 10 foot surge, and is expected to last through the weekend. Early storm damage estimates compare to damage seen during Hurricane Ike in 2008.
Current Status on Hurricane Harvey
Harvey formed as a tropical depression on Wednesday from remnants of a tropical storm over the Gulf of Mexico. As of today at 12:30pm Central, Harvey is heading towards coastal Texas. Currently Harvey rates as a category 1 hurricane, however this may be upgraded to a category 3 hurricane when it makes landfall. Galveston residents can expect winds up to 115mph. Residents in Galveston, Houston and surrounding counties can expect over a foot of rainfall just through the weekend.
Expected Disruptions for Galveston Residents
Galveston residents may see the following disruptions in public services over the weekend and through early next week:
- Trash pickup
- Buses
- Seawall Blvd. Trolley
- Public Schools
Preparing for Hurricane Harvey in One Day
Tylka Law Firm recommends several steps over a few months to prepare for a storm. However, as we are just a day out from landfall, here are a few important preps that we highly recommend:
- Secure Windows and Doors: Use thick plywood, hurricane shutters and/or other material to prevent debris and water coming through your windows and doors. Securing windows is especially important as wind and shattered glass is typically lethal.
- Purchase Non-Perishable Food: According to the US Coast Guard, each home should have at least 72-hours of food and water per person on hand. Power outages are likely during a hurricane, so also consider purchasing non-perishable food such as peanut butter, beef jerky, trail mix and crackers. Consider keeping a sterno or portable stove on hand for boiling water and canned soups. Don’t forget your pets! If you have a cat or dog, make sure food and water is available for them as well.
- Store Water for Sanitation: Have some extra water on hand for baths, flushing toilets, and simple cleaning (like hand-washing). If you run out of water and own a water heater tank, extra water may be available inside of the water heater for emergency purposes.
- Purchase or Make a First-Aid Kit: During a hurricane, emergency responders will typically take a long time to get to you. Having a first aid kit on hand can help alleviate any non-critical wounds.
- Sand Bags and Flood Barriers: If you live in a known flood-zone, seriously consider purchasing sand bags or other flood barriers for the exterior of your home. Even if flood insurance covers all of your property damages, it can still take months to get back to normal. A preventative step can alleviate a lot of stress.
- Purchase a Generator: If your property can accommodate a generator, we recommend purchasing one. A generator can immediately restore power, heat and light to your home during an outage.
- Photograph your Home: If your property is damaged during Hurricane Harvey, photographs of that property will help when dealing with storm insurance claims. Additionally, any stolen property can be reported to the police with more than a description. We recommend taking photographs of any sensitive information such as birth records, firearm serial numbers and property deeds.
Dealing with Storm Insurance
If your home or property is damaged during Hurricane Harvey, you will need to call your storm insurance firm. An agent will visit you and assess the damage, and afterword give you an offer to replace or repair your damaged property. While this should be straightforward, we often find insurance claims agents offering less than half of your claimed value. If you need help dealing with storm insurance claims, Galveston storm insurance lawyer Larry Tylka can help. Contact us 24/7 for assistance.
Hurricane Harvey Storm Insurance Assistance
Dealing with insurance companies is difficult. Read our guide on how to deal with Hurricane Harvey insurance claims in Texas. If your experienced damage to your home or property and you need help dealing with the insurance company, click on your county link below and fill out the contact form there. We will get back to you normally within one business day. Thank you, and stay safe.
