Hurricane Preparedness
Hurricane season is here, and it’s crucial to prepare. This includes knowing your hurricane risk, making an emergency plan, and understanding evacuation routes. Additionally, having a readily available emergency kit with essentials like food, water, and first-aid supplies is vital.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- Know Your Risk:
- Hurricanes can affect areas far inland, not just coastal regions.
- Understand how wind, water, and even tornadoes could impact your location.
- Identify if you live in a flood-prone area or an evacuation zone.
- Assess your home’s structural weaknesses (e.g., windows, garage door).
- Develop an Emergency Plan:
- Create a plan that includes everyone in your household, including pets.
- Practice your evacuation plan, including routes and designated meeting places.
- Have a communication plan in place to stay connected if separated.
- Consider the needs of children, the elderly, and those with disabilities.
- If you have pets, ensure they are accounted for in your plan.
- Gather Supplies:
- Water – 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation, for at least 3-7 days.
- Non-perishable – food enough for 3 days for evacuation and 14 days if staying home.
- First-aid supplies – including medications, especially prescriptions.
- Flashlights and extra batteries – essential for power outages.
- Fully charged cell phone and charger. Consider a car charger or portable charger.
- Important documents – in a waterproof container or resealable bag, including insurance information, medical records, and important contact numbers.
- Pet supplies – Food, water, medications, and carriers.
- Cash – In small bills, as ATMs may be unavailable.
- Other items: Toiletries, hand sanitizer, garbage bags, and tools.
- Stay Informed:
- Have multiple ways to receive alerts and local emergency notifications, such as Ready Harris Alerts or the FEMA app for text message updates. .
- Be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA).
- Monitor trusted weather sources and official announcements from local authorities and the National Hurricane Center.
- During a Hurricane:
- If ordered to evacuate, leave immediately.
- If not under mandatory evacuation, consider your options and follow official guidance.
- Never drive through flooded roads or across closed bridges.
- Stay tuned to emergency updates and follow instructions from local officials.
Additional Tips:
- Secure loose items outside your home, such as lawn furniture and trash cans.
- Trim trees that could fall on your home.
- Prepare for potential flooding by cleaning drains and gutters.
- Review your insurance coverage, including flood insurance.
- Consider elevating your heating system, water heater, and electric panel.
- Fill bathtubs and containers with water for sanitation purposes.
- Turn off utilities if instructed by authorities.
- Have a communication plan with family and friends outside the affected area.
- Know where to move your car for safety during the storm.
- Ensure pets have proper identification, food, water, and medications.
By taking these steps, you can significantly improve your preparedness and safety during the 2025 hurricane season.
Summer Water Rates Now in Effect
The following summer water conservation rates are now in effect:
| Residential Summer Water Conservation Billing Rates – May thru September | |
| 0 – 8,000 gal. | $9.50 minimum bill |
| 8,001 – 20,000 gal. | $2.75 per 1,000 gal. |
| 20,001 – 30,000 gal. | $3.25 per 1,000 gal. |
| Over 30,000 gal. | $4.50 per 1,000 gal. |
The WHCRWA water rate and the sewer rate are billed in addition to the rates shown above.
For more details go to Detailed Water & Sewer Rate Order
Summer Water Rates Now in Effect
The following summer water conservation rates are now in effect:
| Residential Summer Water Conservation Billing Rates – May thru September | |
| 0 – 8,000 gal. | $9.50 minimum bill |
| 8,001 – 20,000 gal. | $2.75 per 1,000 gal. |
| 20,001 – 30,000 gal. | $3.25 per 1,000 gal. |
| Over 30,000 gal. | $4.50 per 1,000 gal. |
The WHCRWA water rate and the sewer rate are billed in addition to the rates shown above.
For more details go to Detailed Water & Sewer Rate Order
Summer Water Rates Now in Effect
The following summer water conservation rates are now in effect:
| Residential Summer Water Conservation Billing Rates – May thru September | |
| 0 – 8,000 gal. | $9.50 minimum bill |
| 8,001 – 20,000 gal. | $2.75 per 1,000 gal. |
| 20,001 – 30,000 gal. | $3.25 per 1,000 gal. |
| Over 30,000 gal. | $4.50 per 1,000 gal. |
The WHCRWA water rate and the sewer rate are billed in addition to the rates shown above.
For more details go to Detailed Water & Sewer Rate Order
Water & Sewer Piping – What Is Your Responsibility
Many times, when MUD 208’s operator, H2O Consulting, responds to customer’s requests to check their meter and a leak is found on the house water service line, the customer is surprised to learn that the repair is the customer’s responsibility. MUD 208 is responsible for providing water up to and through the water meter. The customer is responsible for the water service line from where it is connected to the water meter all the way up to their house. Likewise for the sanitary sewer service line, the home owner is responsible for the sewer piping from the house to its connection to the main sewer line. Even if the water service line or sewer service line is outside the homeowner’s property boundary, it still falls within the homeowner’s responsibility for maintenance and repairs.
The following sketch depicts and clarifies the homeowner’s vs MUD 208’s responsibilities:
Lawn Watering Tips
With the higher Summer Conservation Water Rates going in to effect, this is a good time to check your irrigation system run settings, as well as walking the sprinkler lines to check that all heads are functioning properly. Daily watering is NOT necessary for healthy lawns and flower beds. Lawns only need about 1” of water total per week. This is best done by splitting your lawn’s water needs for the week into 2 watering days, and then splitting the watering day need over 2 run cycles. By soaking the soil deeply, then allowing it to dry out before you water again brings air back into the soil and promotes deep root growth. This method is the set and soak method which saves water and helps develop a well-rooted, resilient turf.
Landscape watering constitutes a significant portion of your monthly water usage, so making efficient irrigation practices is crucial. By ensuring your system operates efficiently, you not only save water but also save on your monthly water bill.
The following AWBD video, Smart Watering for a Healthy Yard & Wallet, highlights points from the above article