1. Nueces County Office of Emergency Management
2013 Hurricane Season

2. Overview Storm History and Season Outlook
Evacuation Authority & Decision Considerations
Evacuation Orders, Zones & Routes
Reentry
Personal Preparedness
Stay informed!

3. Total of 22 Hurricanes dating back to 1851
Texas Storm History
Major Hurricanes
Ike
Rita
Total of 22 Hurricanes dating back to 1851
One every 8-9 years

4. 5 Major Hurricanes in last 41 years
Texas Storm History
Rita
Ike
Rita
Ike
False Sense
of Security?
Bret
5 Major Hurricanes in last 41 years
One every 7.5 years

5. 1/3rd of Activity Occurs During this Time
2nd Hurricane Typically forms around August 21st

6. 2013 Hurricane Outlook 2013 Forecast 13-20 7-11 3-6 Average 12 6 3
Named
Storms
Hurricanes
Major Hurricanes
(>Cat 3)
2013 Forecast
13-20
7-11
3-6
Average 12 6 3
Three climate factors that strongly control Atlantic hurricane activity are expected to come together to produce an active or extremely active 2013 hurricane season.
A continuation of the atmospheric climate pattern, which includes a strong west African monsoon, that is responsible for the ongoing era of high activity for Atlantic hurricanes that began in 1995
Warmer-than-average water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea
El Niño is not expected to develop and suppress tropical formation in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

7. Where will storms strike?
NOAA’s seasonal hurricane outlook is NOT a hurricane landfall forecast; it does not predict how many storms will hit land or where a storm will strike

8. Important NHC Phrases
Hurricane Watch issuance times extended to 48 Hours
Hurricane Warning issuance times extended to 36 Hours

9. Do you have a PLAN for these phases?
Preparations prior to the Hurricane Season.
When a tropical storm or hurricane enters the Gulf of Mexico.
When there is a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch hoisted for South Texas.
When there is Tropical Storm or Hurricane Warning hoisted for South Texas.

10. Evacuation Authority
The County Judge or the Mayor may order the evacuation of all or part of the population from a stricken or threatened area under the jurisdiction of the official if the action is necessary for the preservation of life or other disaster mitigation, response, or recovery.
The County Judge or the Mayor may control ingress to and egress from a disaster area under the jurisdiction and authority of the local official and control the movement of persons and the occupancy of premises in that area.
The jurisdiction and authority of the County Judge includes the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county; and to the extent of a conflict between decisions of the County Judge and the Mayor, the decision of the County Judge prevails.

11. Storm Threat Analysis Storm Intensity Storm Size Forward Motion
Cone of Error
Forecast Confidence
Anticipated Storm Surge Inundation
Decision Timing
Behavior Assumptions
Occupancy
Availability of Resources
Storm Intensity Storm Size (does it fill the Gulf?)
Forward Motion (How fast? What direction?)
Cone of Error (are we on the clean or dirty side?)
Forecast Confidence (we know you don’t know how strong but do you really think you know where it is going?)
Anticipated Storm Surge Inundation (SLOSH MEOW…MOM)
Decision Timing
Behavior Assumptions
Occupancy
Availability of Resources

12. Who is at highest risk? ~180,000 permanent residents in the storm surge zone!

13. Clearance Times Many considerations…
Standard Scenario
Worst Case Scenario
Evacu Lane
Contraflow
Rapid Response
Medium Response
Long Response
High Occupancy
Low Occupancy

14. Evacuation Orders
Evacuation orders will be phased starting with the most at-risk areas first (Zone A- Island)
These orders will be coordinated between the evacuating City and the County to alleviate confusion with the public.
Each “order” will define who needs to leave and when.
There is a coordinated countywide effort to assist those that cannot self evacuate.
Any RTA bus stop throughout the County will get you to the appropriate evacuation hub.

16. TxDOT Evacuation Routes

17. Nueces County Hurricane Reentry Plan

18. Purpose
To provide uniform guidance for personnel who may require early reentry prior to the retraction of the local evacuation order.
To promote and facilitate the timely reentry of essential personnel to speed the recovery of affected jurisdictions within Nueces County and its economy.
A key component of continuity of government…deliberate plans to ensure the continuation of essential functions through a wide range of incidents and requires a collaborated and concerted effort to coordinate… agencies that provide critical services to assist first responders in the execution of their duties and those in direct support of critical infrastructure/key resources.

19. General Approach
Guidance for required agency credentials & proof of residency
Four Tiers
Tier 1- Traditional First Responders
Tier 2- Mass Care & Damage Assessment
Tier 3- Restoration of Essential Services
Tier 4- Business Owners & Residents
Issuance of Reentry Letters
Procedure for Evacuation Exemption

20. Tier 1 Personnel Search and rescue (SAR) and security force operations
SAR agents include local Fire/EMS, law enforcement, Texas Military Forces and other State and/or Federal emergency response teams such as Texas Task Force One/Two.
Typically uniformed and are in clearly identified emergency response vehicles. These organizations are not required to request or carry a reentry authorization letter however should be prepared to provide proof of deployment orders, mission assignment or other similar documentation authorizing work assignment in the impacted area for the designated incident.

21. Tier 2 Personnel Immediate mass care and damage assessment
Typically provided by recognized state agencies such as Texas Military Forces and limited state VOADs such as American Red Cross, Texas Salvation Army and Texas Baptist Men. Most other disaster relief workers are classified as Tier 3.
Official damage assessment teams may include Federal, State and local officials and are required to possess official agency identification credentials.
CI/KR and utilities assessment personnel must be permitted immediate access to ensure essential services, such as water, power and communications, are restored and infrastructure is intact.
Should travel in marked company vehicles and must possess valid agency credentials. Personnel in this category are expected request Tier 2 reentry authorization prior to hurricane season and should be prepared to provide proof of deployment orders, mission assignment or other similar documentation authorizing work assignment in the impacted area for the designated incident.
The intent is to allow immediate and unrestricted access to both Tier 1 & 2 personnel as soon as the responding agency feels it safe to begin operations in the impacted area however may be further restricted at the discretion of the local jurisdiction having authority.

22. Tier 3 Personnel Restoration of essential services, POD & other support operations
Essential services include power, infrastructure, public works, wastewater/water and utility repair and restoration.
Health care agency personnel, which may include hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities and dialysis centers. Credentialed volunteer health professionals possessing valid identification may be included.
Insurance agents and adjusters.
An example of businesses that may be allowed reentry as Tier 3 include those that have far reaching impact on recovery such as grocery stores, fuel providers, pharmacies, banking institutions and other “big box” providers (i.e. Wal-Mart, HEB, Home Depot, Lowes).
Should travel in marked company vehicles and must possess valid agency credentials. These organizations are not required to request or carry a reentry authorization letter however should be prepared to provide proof of deployment orders, mission assignment or other similar documentation authorizing work assignment in the impacted area for the designated incident.

23. Tier 4 Personnel All other business operators & residents
Tier 4 operators and residents should be prepared to provide appropriate agency credentials and/or proof of residency as appropriate.
All others not defined previously are considered “general population” and will be allowed reentry after the mandatory evacuation order has been lifted.
Any conflict at designated check points will be routed through the local Incident Commander and EOC for resolution. LIFE SAFETY will be the ultimate deciding factor in ALL cases.

24. Who gets a letter? Exempt Organizations Tier 2 Personnel
** Letters will only be issued on a standardized letterhead that has been mutually agreed upon **

25. Evacuation Exemption
Organizations approved for exemption may include essential government personnel, first responders and limited private organizations in direct support of critical infrastructure/key resources.
The organizations are considered self sufficient and remain at their own risk.
Approval by Emergency Management Director on a case-by-case basis.

26. Required Agency Credentials
All personnel working in the impact area shall carry proper credentials and identification on their person at all times.
State recognized identification card
Agency identification with photo.
Tier 2 Level Essential Personnel Authorization Letter and/or company designation letter detailing the employee essential function and to the extent possible defining the geographic area where work is to be performed.

27. Proof of Residency
Proper identification for resident access should include one or more of the following:
current state issued driver’s license or identification card
utility bill
mortgage deed
property tax documents
or any governmental document which includes an address or other means that identifies the location of their property.

28. Requesting Tier 2 Authorization and/or Evacuation Exemption www. co
Requesting Tier 2 Authorization and/or Evacuation Exemption
County Reentry Plan
Quick Reference Pages
2013 Request Form

29. Enhanced Tier 2 Expedited request/ authorization process
Event specific with expiration
Secure information sharing
Field verifiable
Real time revocation

30. Personal Preparedness
Benefits of Being Prepared
Helps reduce fear and anxiety
Helps reduce the impact of disasters
Communities, families and individuals know what to do to survive & recover

31. Consider what could happen in your…
Think about:
Probability
AND
Potential Impact
House?
Workplace?
School?
Neighborhood?
City?
County?
Region?
During travel?

32. Building a Family Disaster Plan
Knowing the protective measures for specific hazards
Recognizing warning systems and signals
Evacuating from a disaster area
Incorporating community, school and other plans
Identifying escape routes

33. Building a Family Disaster Plan
Completing a family communications plan
Shutting off utilities
Obtaining appropriate insurance
Preparing for special needs
Caring for animals
Learning/refreshing safety skills

34. Disaster Supplies Kit
Food & Water (1 gallon of water per person per day!)
First Aid, Medication & Hygiene
Communications & Lighting
Transportation & Document Bag Items
Home Safety, Comfort Items, Pet Supplies
Special Considerations
Power loss, medical needs, post disaster hazards

35. Recovery Considerations
Returning Home: Is it still there, where you left it? Structural/water damage?
Aiding the injured of displaced
Health issues- sanitation & stress
Safety issues
Emotional

36. Transportation Assistance Registry
2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE is the information resource before, during and after a disaster.
People who will require transportation assistance during an evacuation are urged to call as soon as possible and sign up with the Transportation Assistance Registry

37. Emergency Notification Systems
826-INFO (4636) 
Reverse Alert
Social Media
Nixle (Text “YES” to )
Dialogic (reverse 911)
KLUX 89.5 FM. 
NOAA Alert Radio
Emergency Alert System

38. Official Sources of County Info
Facebook: NuecesOEM
Twitter: NuecesOEM
PUBLIC NOTICES

39. Danielle Hale Emergency Management Coordinator
Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal
901 Leopard St. #303
Corpus Christi, TX 78401