Updated NHC Key Messages graphic Sunday, July 7, 2024
Hurricane Beryl, the second named storm of the 2024 hurricane season, already has made meteorological history. Beryl's formation at the end of June made it the earliest hurricane ever in the eastern tropical Atlantic.
But wait, there's more. Beryl also became the strongest hurricane on record, a category 4, to have formed in June in the Atlantic Ocean.
Beryl's journey over Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula took sapped some of its strength, but it's still expected to hit the Texas Coast — right now, anywhere from Corpus Christi to Galveston, looks to be in its third landfall range — on Monday, July 8, with enough punch to cause serious problems.
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Time to prepare: Obviously, areas where Hurricane Beryl comes ashore will feel the brunt of the storm. But flooding and spin-off tornadoes likely will hit parts of the Lone Star State further inland. Wherever you are when a hurricane, or any disaster, threatens, your best defense is to be prepared.
So, today's Saturday Shout Outs go to hurricane prep pieces, starting with (shameless plug alert!) some of my posts here on the ol’ tax blog.
My previously cited preparation post has information on ways to stay informed about impending disasters.
Some of my posts from earlier hurricane seasons look at making financial and tax preparations, as well as the physical storm steps; how to handle issues faced by family members who are older or have special needs; and storm steps for pet owners.
You’ll also want to take a pre-disaster inventory of your household goods. This will help you with your insurance claims or, if the catastrophe is declared a major disaster, support your claim of uninsured losses as a tax deduction.
Moving on from shameless self-promotion, other hurricane site shout outs this weekend go to —
The National Weather Service (NWS) has a Hurricane Safety Tips and Resources web page. Among its offerings are planning for a hurricane and steps to take after one strikes. The NWS also has a separate page with links to safety tips for myriad natural disaster threats.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issues major disaster declarations, which determine the type of help available to those in areas hit hard by storms. FEMA’s Be In The Know program has more on identifying specific hazards for your area; knowing evacuation plans; building a go-bag with the essentials you might need when you must evacuate; and locating reliable information sources (including FEMA alerts) to help you make informed decisions before, during, and after a disaster.
Benefits.gov provides an online Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) locator, where disaster victims can find a facility or mobile office that has information about FEMA or other disaster assistance programs.
Ready.gov’s hurricane page has tips on preparing for a tropical system, staying safe during a storm, returning home, and more. The menu on the left side of the page has similar information for other types of disasters.
DisasterAssistance.gov provides help for those seeking FEMA disaster assistance, as well as information on other resources to help you recover. The site tracks disasters, assistance application deadlines, and has an interactive tool to help you find recovery resources in your community.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has a hurricane page, as well as one with a general overview of health issues and natural disasters.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) web page on Hurricane Preparedness and Response, with a focus on what employers need to consider.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has funding options to help businesses and individuals recover after a declared disaster.
The Washington Post has a visual, interactive guide on how to keep your family and home safe before a hurricane hits, what to do if you’re caught in the middle, and how to pick up when you return.
And, of course, there is the Internal Revenue Service’s online collection of disaster and emergency tax relief resources for individual and business taxpayers.
If you’re on the Texas coast, time is short, so take advantage of these resources and get ready for Beryl now. If you’re an inland Texan, you need to prepare, too.
As for all y’all in the rest of the country, don’t be complacent. The type of disasters vary, but they happen year-round. You also need to be prepared.
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