Storm Center Tips

Bryan

BTU 24hr Power Outage/Emergency Number
(979) 822-3777

Fire Services
Station #1:  (979) 209-5975
Station #2:  (979) 209-5580
Station #3:  (979) 209-5584
Station #4:  (979) 209-5588

Police Services
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: (979) 361-3888

Brazos County

Sheriff's Office
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: (979) 361-4100

Constable Offices
Precinct 1:  (979) 695-0030
Precinct 2:  (979) 361-4477
Precinct 3:  (979) 694-7900
Precinct 4:  (979) 361-4266

Red Cross
(979) 776-8279

Pre-Storm Preparation


Because power outages sometimes happen, planning ahead is essential. Here are some things you can do right now to prepare.
1. Create a family disaster plan
Discuss with your family the need to prepare for disaster.
  • Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to occur, (fire, thunderstorms, lightening, tornadoes, hurricanes), and how to respond.
  • Create two different routes to get out of you house in case you must leave
  • Establish a meeting place inside and outside of your home.
  • Have a family contact that is out-of-town, a friend or relative. Have everybody contact this person after the disaster to let them know where you are and if you are okay.
  • Have children memorize important family information. This should include at least family name, phone number and address.
2. Create a checklist and update it
  • Post emergency phone numbers next to phones
  • Teach children how and when to call 911
  • Teach family members how to use a fire extinguisher. Check it each year.
  • Install smoke detectors on each level and near bedrooms. Test and change batteries once a year
  • Learn basic first aid
  • Replace stored water and food in emergency supply kit every 6 months
All pets should wear a collar with its up-to-date identification tags.
You should also create an emergency supply kit for your pet.
  • Food: Same as for a person, at least a three-day supply in an airtight container.
  • You will need a least three days worth of water just for your pets.
  • Medicines and medical records stored in a water proof container.
  • A first aid kit and reference book
  • Backup leashes for all pets.
  • Pet carrier.
  • Sanitation items. This includes pet litter, litter box, trash bags, and chlorine bleach.
  • Picture of you and your pet
  • Familiar pet toys to reduce the stress on your pet.
You can find out more information on www.ready.gov

Emergency Supply Kit

The following items should be included in a hurricane or disaster kit:
Water
  • At least one gallon of water per day per person for 3-5 days, two quarts a day for drinking and two quarts for food preparation and sanitation
  • Water purification tablets
Food
  • Enough for 3-5 days
  • Non-perishable dry or canned food such as ready-to-eat meats, fruits, vegetables, soups, juices and milk
  • High energy snack foods such as protein or fruit bars, trail mix, peanut butter and crackers
  • Comfort foods such as nuts, cookies, sweetened cereals, instant coffee, tea and hard candy
  • Special dietary and baby foods
  • Vitamins
Kitchen Supplies
  • Manual can opener
  • Eating and cooking utensils, mess kits, plates and cups
  • Matches or lighters in a waterproof container
  • Emergency cooking/camping equipment
  • Liquid detergent and household chlorine bleach
  • Plastic bucket and lid
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Ice and cooler
Tools and Supplies
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Battery operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries
  • Toilet paper, soap, personal hygiene items, feminine supplies and toiletries
  • First aid kit
  • Mosquito/insect repellant
  • Special needs items such as prescription medications, eye glasses, contact lens solutions, hearing aid batteries and other personal items
  • Hat
  • Extra clothing for one week
  • Rain gear
  • Heavy duty plastic garbage bags
  • Whistle
  • Specialty items for infants, such as formula, diapers, wipes, bottles and pacifiers, and for elderly relatives and pets
  • Important documents such as passport, copies of credit cards, identification cards and insurance papers
  • Other items to meet your unique family needs such as games or books
  • Blankets and/or sleeping bags
  • Keys to house
  • Cash, traveler's checks
  • Extra charger for cell phone and power cord for laptop computer
  • Lightweight folding chairs or cots
  • List of important phone numbers
For more information on disaster supply kits, please visit the following link:
http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit

After the Storm

Your safety counts
  • Treat any downed wire as if it is energized because you can't tell by looking if a downed wire is live or not. Call BTU dispatch immediately at (979) 822-3777 if you come across a fallen power line.
  • Do not attempt to pull limbs off of lines. Let our trained personnel perform this work.
  • In case of an outage do not assume we are aware of the outage. Please give us a call at (979) 821-3777 to report the outage.
  • If your power goes out, turn off large appliances and air conditioners. After power is restored wait 5 to 10 minutes before turning them back on.
  • Keep freezer doors closed during an outage.
  • Leave a front light switched on so that our crews will know that power has been restored.
Above all please be patient. We will work as quickly as safety will allow. Remember that we must first repair larger lines that bring the power to the neighborhoods before we can start on the neighborhood lines.