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1. What is 2-1-1 ?

2-1-1 is a free, easy to remember phone number connecting callers with health and human services in their community. This service will help those who need help evacuating the area because of medical, financial and other special needs.

2. What should I do about my pets?

Keep your pet records and shots up to date. Stockpile any special medication, food, water and any special equipment for your pet. Know in advance if you're taking your pets with you and if the place you're going allows for them.

3. How do I turn off my water?

Everyone in your home should know how to shut off water to your home if there is an emergency. In the event of an emergency, such as a major hurricane, you may want to turn off the water supply to your home as soon as possible to prevent water damage to your property due to broken pipes within your home. If a water pipe springs a leak, knowing where the water shutoff valves are could save you money in water damage repairs. The master shutoff valve stops the flow of water to the entire house. Individual or supply shutoff valves shut off water to specific appliances and fixtures such as toilets and washing machines. Your master shutoff valve is typically located on the outside of your home. It may be in the front, on the side or in the backyard. Look for a hose-bib (outside faucet) next to your home with a pipe coming up from the ground. Located on that pipe between the ground and the hose bib is a valve. This is the master shutoff valve. Typically, the house valve will have a wheel (gate valve) or a straight handle (ball valve) for turning. Gate valves are operated by turning the wheel clockwise until the water is off. Ball valves are operated by turning the handle a quarter turn clockwise until the water is off. To verify the water is off, turn on the hose-bib next to the master shutoff valve. As you turn the master shutoff valve off, the water from the hose-bib should stop. To turn the water back on, either turn the gate valve counterclockwise or turn the ball valve a quarter turn counterclockwise.

4. What should be my first steps when a hurricane is reported coming towards town?

Plan to Evacuate! Identify what town or area you and your family will be relocating to in order to wait out the storm. Stay informed. Listen to updated newscasts, radio or online streaming information. Check supplies such as water, food, first aid kits, medication, batteries, emergency radio, flashlights, cash and fill up your gas tanks.

5. When can I return home after a Hurricane evacuation?

Only after local authorities have given the okay to do so. Monitor local news media and emergency broadcast radios for information on returning to the area. When returning home, keep the same emergency mindset that you left with remembering that City services may be significantly compromised or unavailable. Make sure you bring cash, food and water supplies, and your up-to-date picture I.D.

6. When is Hurricane Season?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states "The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1st and lasts through November 30th. Keep in mind, hurricanes have been recorded before and after these dates.

7. Where can I find evacuation traffic information?

Texas Department of Transportation offers up-to-date road conditions, radio broadcasting and now Twitter to help drivers stay safe and get to their evacuation destinations. For more information click here.

You can also sign up for official texts and emails from the City of Portland at www.nixle.com

8. What steps should I take to prepare for Hurricane Season?

Make a plan in which your family is involved and knows when and where you will go for evacuation. Back up your files and personal information. Begin to create a resource stockpile of money, food, bottled water and plywood for boarding up your windows.

9. When and why should I evacuate?

Citizens should be ready to evacuate the moment City officials recomend the action. Stay informed, monitor local news media and make sure your Code Red information is correct and current. Citizens should evacuate in order to prevent loss of life and/or injuries as a result of the catastrophic nature of Hurricanes

10. Where can I get hurricane information while on the move?

NOAA Weather Radio - The easiest way to stay informed is to have an inexpensive portable radio which picks up NOAA Weather Radio.

Wireless - The National Hurricane Center advisories, aircraft reconnaissance messages, and Tropical Analysis and Forecasting Branch texts forecasts and discussions and are available to Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) capable cell phones and Portable Digital Assistants (PDA).

E-Mail - If you can check your email while away from your home computer, you might consider subscribing to one of National Hurricane Center's mailing lists.

RSS Feeds - If your computer has a news aggregator or feed reader, you can set it up to receive RSS feeds from the National Hurricane Center.