HOUSTON — At a Public Safety Committee meeting Tuesday, officials said last month’s derecho storm highlighted vulnerabilities and areas where the city could improve in natural disaster response.
Thomas Muñoz, the director of the Mayor's Office of Public Safety & Homeland Security, said the derecho was an "anomaly" in its sudden impact compared to tropical storms or hurricanes which allow for preparedness several days in advance.
He said the storm shed light on where the city can do better for response before, during and after a severe storm hits.
Currently, Muñoz said his office and the Office of Emergency Management is working to solidify contracts and sites with partners who help respond after a disaster hits, as well as improving all-around communication.
Officials also want to expand the list of high-priority locations for quicker response.
“Historically we looked at nursing homes, we looked at hospitals, dialysis center[s],” Muñoz said. “The assisted living homes is something that we're really going to adjust and we're actually discussing now getting those on the maps.”
Council members also hope to improve the city’s geographical information systems to better show specific areas that need response in the aftermath of a storm.
Officials said they are working on strengthening the partnerships with groups that provide valuable information.
“That allows me to know where the resources are going to go,” Muñoz said. “So not having that capability does hinder the processes of where they go.”
Another effort is improving the availability of multi-use centers and resiliency zones and the public’s awareness of such resources.
Councilwoman Letitia Plummer said she will introduce a budget amendment this week to include funds for a generator for the Kashmere Gardens resiliency hub.
Officials also discussed the increased use of digital billboards for emergency communications and how to get information out in more languages.