What to do when you hear the Bayou Vista Siren!

Determination To Activate the Siren:
The determination to alert the residents of Bayou Vista of an imminent danger is the responsibility of the Mayor or Mayor Pro-Tem in the Mayor's absence, who will confer with the Emergency Management Coordinator or Chief of Police prior to the siren being activated.
The siren will signal residents that it is in their best interest to:

1. Shelter in place;
2. Close all windows;
3. Remain inside;
4. Turn off air-conditioners; and
5. Listen to 740 AM radio for further information and instructions.

• Natural (such as hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding)
• Hazardous material spills and releases
• Fires and explosions
• Bomb threats

While the City of Bayou Vista participates in the Galveston County Emergency Management plan, individual residents should prepare well in advance to take the appropriate steps to ensure their safety.

This article describes the Emergency Procedures and provides other guidance.

The two most common emergency responses are evacuation and sheltering-in-place (see above information). Hurricane Evacuation Procedures can be ordered by the County Judge or Mayor of a municipality.

• Evacuation - Evacuations can now be made mandatory and in this event, residents should leave their homes as quickly as possible and follow the recommended evacuation route as determined by the Texas Department of Public Safety. (If the individual resident waits for the mandatory evacuation order, Highway 6 will be the only route available.)
• Re-entry - Only the Mayor and the Emergency Management personnel of The City of Bayou Vista and essential personnel will be allowed back into the City. ONLY after a thorough safety assessment has been completed will the residents of Bayou Vista be allowed to return. No one will be allowed to reenter the City of Bayou Vista until the Mayor and the Emergency Management personnel have made this decision.

Hurricane Mitch

Radio and television stations broadcast watches and warnings and provide other weather-related information. For those of you with Internet access, Bayou Vista's unofficial website has agreed to post public information bulletins on http://www.bayouvista.com and the Bayou Vista Message Board. Weather information internet links are also available on this website at: http://www.bayouvista.com/bvweath.htm

Hurricane Important Numbers List - Printable PDF

• Developing a family plan
• Creating a disaster supply kit
• Having a place to go
• Securing your home
• Having a pet plan

Special needs?
Residents with special needs should arrange for friends or relative to provide assistance during an evacuation. You may also wish to register with 2-1-1. Just call 2-1-1 to become registered.
The Mayor or Police Chief activates FirstCall, an automated call system that notifies resident by phone of the mandatory evacuation.

 Go to this website for more information on 2-1-1 in Texas.

The Emergency Preparedness Checklist and Your Family Disaster supplies Kit booklets, both available at the MUD 12 building, can help you with your emergency planning. More information is available at  Be Prepared website.

1. The Mayor recommends the evacuation of Bayou Vista. (The Mayor coordinates this decision with the Galveston County Office of Emergency Management.)
2. The Mayor or Police Chief activates FirstCall, an automated call system that notifies residents by phone of the recommended evacuation.
3. Residents turn off utilities (if time permits) and take their disaster supplies kits.
4. Depart Bayou Vista, following instructions given by police officers. (Officers will advise residents to head north on Highway 6 - although I45 and 146 are also evacuation routes. A resident may evacuate using any route available PRIOR to the mandatory evacuation being called. After the mandatory evacuation order has been given, the only evacuation route available will be Highway 6.

Thanks to Bayou Vista resident Alan Wilde & City Secretary Paula Eshelman
 for providing some of this information.

To see what a hurricane Category 3 can do click here for photos of Hurricane Alicia aftermath.