Harricane can spawn tornadoes, create storm surges along the coast and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall. When returning to damaged homes, apartments or businesses, you must take extra precautions to avoid accidents and injury. Structural damage may have made the house unsafe, electricity and gas may pose a threat, and snakes, animals and insects may have taken up residence. Disaster recovery experts recommend a careful and systematic approach when returning to any area after a storm or flood.

• Stay tuned to local radio/television for information.
• The NOAA Weather radio (NWR) also broadcasts hazard information 24 hours a day.
• Dress for safety. Consider wearing a specialized mask with changeable filters to filter mold spores, asbestos, lead or other contaminants. Wear safety glasses, leather or rubber gloves, and protective shoes; avoid rubber-soled athletic shoes when walking in or around debris. Hard hats, long sleeves and pants are also encouraged to guard against bumps and scrapes.
• Beware of water on the road; it could hide potholes or washed-away sections of road. Never drive around barriers; cars are buoyant and can begin to float in less than 24 inches of water.
• Stay away from debris in the water. It may pose a safety hazard to boats and people.
• Enter the building carefully. If the door sticks at the top as it opens, it could mean the ceiling is ready to cave in. Do not walk under a sagging ceiling until it has been checked.
• Do not strike a match or use an open flame unless you know the gas has been turned off and the area has been ventilated. Use a flashlight when entering damaged buildings.
• Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents, for insurance purposes.

• Be aware of water borne health hazards. Floodwaters pick up sewage and chemicals from roads, farms, factories and storage buildings. Throw out flooded items, such as wallboard, mattresses, spoiled food, cosmetics and medicine.
• Have tap water tested by the local health department before drinking or using it.
• Shovel as much mud and debris as possible out of the house, then hose it down inside and out. The walls, floors, closets, shelves, contents and any other parts of your home that have been flooded should also be thoroughly washed and disinfected.
• Groundwater creates enormous pressure on basement walls and floors. Drain the basement no more than one foot per day to minimize further damage.
• Within days of being waterlogged, dry wall, upholstered furniture and wooden fixtures may develop mold or mildew, which can be health hazards. Ask your local health authorities for information on removing mold.
• Avoid carbon monoxide exhaust. Do not use generators, gasoline-powered machines, camp stoves or charcoal grills indoors.

Gov. Rick Perry has developed a group to assist Texas communities with recovery efforts following natural disasters.

The group for Disaster Recovery and Renewel is an advisory panel of public and private sector experts.

Former Harris County Judge Robert Eckels has been appointed chair of the commission, it will consist of 31 members to be appointed by the governor in the coming weeks, including representatives from the private sector, foundations, and local and state government. County judges from Aransas,San Patricio,Kleberg, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron,Hidalgo, Chambers, Harris, Jackson, Jefferson, Kenedy, Liberty, Matagorda, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, Starr,Galveston, Victoria and Willacy counties will serve as ex-officio members.

“Two months after Ike’s landfall, Texans are still sleeping in cars or tents outside of padlocked trailers,” told by Perry in a statement. “Mounds of debris are piled up in coastal communities, creating health hazards while Washington remains mum about whether it will provide the same level of resources it did for Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina.

“These situations clearly shows that the federal government’s recovery system is completely broken. I am confident this new group will find solutions to all these challenges as well as create new plan to speed recovery and accelerate economic development.”

The group’s first project will be to search temporary housing alternatives for those left homeless after Hurricane Ike. It will help the state in seeking full federal reimbursemenbt for recovery, including debris removal.

The group will also be in charge of developing a report for communities to learn how to recover after a disaster and preplan for future disasters.

The group’s final report to the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is till June 30, 2009.

The governor also announced that he has directed the Texas Department of Transportation to immediately start assisting with debris removal in Southeast Texas.