CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -
Making sure businesses and community organizations are ready for a hurricane was the goal of a preparedness workshop held Tuesday at the Del Mar College economic development center.
The local chapter of the American Red Cross and State Farm Insurance hosted the workshop, and gave lots of tips on how best to be prepared for a hurricane.
One of the things the Red Cross highlighted and showed off was heater meals. The red cross gave them out to those that attended the workshop so they could try them out. The Red Cross also heated one up for Kiii-TV cameras as a demonstration.
The self-heating meals can be made in just ten minutes, and are made specifically with lots of calories and carbohydrates so that you have enough energy to get through a disaster. The meals last anywhere between two to five years, depending on what kind you get.
The Red Cross says chances are, if you're at a Red Cross shelter, this is what you're going to be eating, until the kitchens can come in.
"Keep them in a 60-70 degree temperature, they'll last for a couple of years, and have them on the shelf," said Nevada Linford with the American Red Cross. "When you get ready to evacuate throw a couple of them in your emergency supply kit, because if you're sitting out on the highway for 8 or 10 hours, it'd be nice to be able to have a hot meal, and have it for the kids."
Workshop leaders also said now is the time to get out your insurance policies, review your contracts and coverage and make sure everything is up to date; and it's a good idea to take a copy of your policy if you have to leave the city in the event of a mandatory evacuation. Emergency officials say you should have some sort of documentation to prove that you are who you say you are, and that you work where you say you work, and to show that you're providing some sort of essential function, when you re-enter the city.
You can buy those self-heating meals at most truck stops, or you can go to www.heatermeals.com.
