Spring ISD campuses and departments have received significant training regarding real-time situational awareness and protective actions needed when severe weather has been forecasted or is imminent. The Spring ISD Emergency Management Department ensures training content, procedural steps and emergency drills are aligned with standards established by the National Weather Service (NWS). These standards allow Spring ISD to appropriately prepare for, respond to and recover from severe weather incidents.

Spring ISD routinely collaborates with NWS Houston/Galveston meteorologists and local emergency management officials from the cities of Harris County, and City of Houston to gather and share information when a potential weather emergency is likely.

The Spring ISD Emergency Management Department receives severe weather alerts, including watch and warning information, from the NWS Houston/Galveston office. Before a severe weather incident occurs, the NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center issues severe weather forecast information using risk category levels to help the public better understand the threat.

When the Storm Prediction Center issues a forecast indicating severe weather conditions are likely or expected, the Spring ISD Emergency Management Department serves as the liaison between the District and outside emergency management agencies and NWS meteorologists. Severe weather forecast information, once published by NWS, is distributed to leadership personnel, including campus administrators. These staff ensure appropriate campus-level and facility-level monitoring and necessary protective actions based on the watch and warning information.

Shelter-in-Place actions are immediately implemented when an NWS-issued Tornado Warning is issued for the campus location, or when a local jurisdiction activates outdoor warning sirens due to the presence of severe hail or straight-line winds that exceed preset jurisdictional alerting criteria. Shelter-in-Place actions are also implemented when a Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for storm cells with “destructive” damage characteristics, which mimic a tornado.

Shelter-in-Place involves moving students, staff and visitors to the safest possible pre-designated locations, which varies by campus. Due to time considerations and urgent protective actions needed during a weather emergency, parents will not be able to check students out or join their students’ designated shelter areas. Once the weather emergency has passed and the severe weather warning has expired, the campus will return to normal operations.

Hurricane season begins June 1st to November 30th, with the peak occurring between August through September. Harris County residents are susceptible and vulnerable to the effects of a hurricane. Because of warnings and predictions, schools are generally not in session during hurricanes. However, schools are an essential part of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery from hurricanes and tropical storms. 

Below is valuable information for you and your family on how to prepare for the Hurricane Season and any emergency disaster.

Know Your Zone

Spring ISD is a non-evacuation zone and residents should be prepared to shelter in place in the event of a severe storm. If you feel the need to leave your residence, find your evacuation route by visiting Hurricane Evacuation ZIP Zone Map. Hurricane evacuations are staggered to prevent highway congestion and allow for quicker, safer movement of people. If an evacuation becomes necessary, orders will be issued by zip code.

5 Things to know about having an evacuation plan

1. Find out if you would need to evacuate. Don't travel hundreds of miles, only far enough away from the evacuation area.

2. Plan your evacuation route. Have an alternate route.

3. Leave when ordered to so do. Do not wait.

4. Communicate your plan with someone not in the storm's path.

5. Plan for your pets. Most local shelters do not permit them.

Assemble Disaster Supplies

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Build a kit with the essentials your family and pets will need if you must shelter in place or evacuate. Also, plan for relatives with medical or special needs.

5 Things To Know About Getting Your Hurricane Supplies

1. Food/Water - Get supplies well in advance, enough for each person for at least one week.

2. Medicine/First-aid - Ensure you have 30 days worth of medication and supplies. Pharmacies may be closed.

3. Communications - Have extra batteries for radios and a hand crank charger for your phone.

4. Gas - Fill up your car or a gas can beforehand. If the power goes out, you will be unable to pump gas.

5. Money - Have cash on hand. With no electricity, ATMs and credit cards will not work.

Stay Informed

Timely information during emergencies is important. You will need multiple ways to receive weather-related warnings during an emergency. Tune into your local media for up-to-date information.

Get clear, factual, and fast local weather updates with Ready Harris. To sign up visit Ready Harris website or text GULF2024 to 888-777.

Strengthen Your Home

Make sure your home is in good repair and meets local hurricane building codes. Declutter drains and gutters, move all loose outdoor items inside, trim trees of any weak branches. Have the proper materials in place to board up your doors and windows to protect them from flying debris. Know a safe location to move your car during a hurricane, whether it’s your garage or elsewhere. If you stay in your home during a hurricane and are not in a flood-prone area:

• Fill bathtubs and all available containers with water

• Turn off utilities, if requested

• Remain indoors in a closet, bathroom, or hallway on the lower level of your house, away from windows

• Cover yourself and family members with a mattress or a dining room table to protect yourself from falling debris