Dean provides good exercise for officials
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

With Hurricane Dean now projected to make landfall in central Mexico, Jasper County officials are breathing a sigh of relief but praising the early efforts of emergency management staff.

As of press time Tuesday, Hurricane Dean, a category 5 storm, was projected to make landfall along the central Mexico coast late Wednesday evening.

"We've dodged a bullet unless something drastically changes in the next day or two," said Billy Ted Smith, emergency management coordinator for Jasper, Newton and Sabine counties.

Dean's threat to the Texas coast allowed East Texas emergency management personnel to put hurricane preparation plans in motion for the first time since Hurricane Rita in 2005.

Jasper County officials started meeting on Thursday, Aug. 16 when Dean was upgraded to hurricane strength in the Atlantic. At that point, officials participated in teleconference phone calls with Texas officials in regards to evacuation and hurricane plans.

But on Saturday morning, the National Hurricane Center projected Hurricane Dean to take a more southerly track that would take it into central Mexico and away from the Texas coastline.

"We still have our guard up because you really don't know what it will do when it comes into the Gulf," Smith said. "But it's looking a lot better than it was. But it would have to make a pretty erratic turn to affect us."

On Friday, Aug. 17, Smith addressed Jasper County Commissioner's Court and called Dean "a definite threat to the Texas coastline."

At that point, Smith suggested residents start topping off their gas tanks and begin preparations for the possible arrival of Dean.

Smith said all the plans made for Dean's possible arrival in the area went smoothly.

"At least this was a good exercise for us," Smith said. "I know it took some people away from their normal jobs but I was proud of everyone that showed up for the assessments on Dean.

"In fact, we were ahead of some steps of our hurricane plan for that time period," Smith said.

Smith knows that if Southeast Texas took a direct hit from a major hurricane, "there will be some problems."

"This exercise allowed everybody to at least get on the same page," Smith said. "I think we would handle a storm much better now."

Smith warned residents that just because Dean is being considered no longer a threat to Southeast Texas, people shouldn't let down their guards during hurricane season.

"There are still two more storms out there that are just waiting in line," Smith said. "This is the peak of hurricane season right now."

Smith said Dean's threat to Southeast Texas should serve as a reminder to residents about what precautions need to be taken now before a hurricane is threatening in the Gulf.

Residents should:

Obtain the necessary materials to protect your windows and doors. Don't forget the garage doors.

Check your roof and the structure of your home. Make the necessary repairs.

Trim trees and branches, remove yard debris and yard furniture.

Check your fire extinguishers.

Make arrangements to secure your boat.

Identify a friend or family member (outside the area) that will keep information about how you are doing. Instruct others to get this information from them.

Put together a Hurricane Survival Kit.

In case an evacuation of Jasper County is ordered, Smith said all would follow these guidelines.

Category 1 & 2: All residents living in the surge areas near Deweyville and Evadale and those in manufactured homes.

Category 3, 4, and 5: All residents of the county are advised to seek shelter out of the counties. If a mandatory evacuation is called all persons must evacuate except essential government officials and designated plant personnel.

When you evacuate:

Decide on a specific place. The protected house of a friend or family outside the evacuation zone, a secure motel or hotel outside the zone or as a last resort a public shelter.

Do not stay in any structure without good shutters or properly designed and installed hurricane protection during any hurricane.

Do not count on going to the airport and flying out.

If you choose not to evacuate:

Monitor local news media for emergency instructions.

Stay indoors. Stay away from doors and windows. Locate a safe room or area in the interior of your home.

Do not go outside in the calm of the hurricane "eye." In the "eye" winds and rain may stop for a few minutes or more than an hour. Be aware winds will return with greater intensity from the opposite direction.

Call 911 only for emergencies. Avoid using the telephone unless necessary.

Turn off gas and electricity. Use flashlights and battery powered lanterns. Do not use candles.