Introduction to Disaster Preparedness
In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which caused widespread power outages and dozens of local deaths in Houston, residents are left to wonder if they are truly prepared for disasters. Doris Brown, a co-founder of the activist group Northeast Action Collective, has taken matters into her own hands. Her home, designated as a "hub house" in Northeast Houston, is equipped with emergency supplies, including cases of water, battery-powered fans, flashlights, and hygiene products.
What is a Hub House?
A hub house serves as a community resource center, providing critical supplies and support to neighbors in need. Brown’s hub house is one of eight in the area, and it is equipped with portable power generators and a Tesla home battery connected to a rooftop solar array. This allows her to provide aid to her community even in the event of a power outage. Brown explained that the hub houses are like "a port in a storm," with the house captains serving as the "boots on the ground" for their neighborhoods.
Community Preparation and Government Response
Despite the efforts of community members like Brown, many Houstonians feel that local officials and leaders are not well prepared for disasters. A survey by Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research found that nearly 60% of respondents said local officials and leaders were not well prepared for Hurricane Beryl. The same percentage said they were worried about climate change, which is expected to fuel more frequent and severe storms. Angela Blanchard, the city’s chief recovery and resiliency officer, acknowledged that the city has a long way to go in terms of preparedness. The city plans to allocate $150 million in federal recovery funds to provide backup power to 100 city-owned sites, including community centers, police and fire stations, and water infrastructure.
The Importance of Individual Preparation
While the city works to improve its resilience, individual households and communities must also take steps to prepare for disasters. FEMA recommends taking 10 steps to prepare for a disaster, including making your home safer, signing up for alerts and warnings, and assembling emergency supplies. However, a survey by the Kinder Institute found that the typical Houstonian has taken only 3 of these steps. More than half of residents took only two preparation actions, charging their phones and batteries and filling up their vehicles’ fuel tanks, in advance of Hurricane Beryl.
Challenges and Disparities in Preparation
The lack of preparedness among Houstonians can be attributed to various factors, including economic constraints. Dan Potter, director of the Houston Population Research Center at Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, pointed out that there is only so much preparation residents can do, especially if they face economic constraints. The hub houses in Northeast Houston, which are predominantly in low-income neighborhoods, demonstrate the importance of community-led initiatives in disaster preparedness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, disaster preparedness is a critical issue that requires the efforts of both individuals and governments. While the city of Houston works to improve its resilience, community members like Doris Brown are taking matters into their own hands. The hub houses in Northeast Houston serve as a model for community-led disaster preparedness, and their efforts demonstrate the importance of being prepared for the unexpected. As Brown said, "We have to look out for ourselves… I’m just hoping that everyone will get prepared and stay prepared for these eventualities. Because there are going to be more, and if we’re not prepared, we might get washed away."
