Just a few weeks into hurricane season, which began June 1 and runs until Nov. 30, Tropical Storm Cindy is expected to approach the Texas coast this week, bringing with it 3-6 inches of rain. With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicting an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year with 11-17 named storms—five to nine of which are expected to become hurricanes—here are a few ways Houstonians can stay prepared this season. 1. Put together a disaster supplies kit. A disaster supplies kit should include the following items, according to the National Hurricane Center: • One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days • At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both • Flashlight and extra batteries • First aid kit • Medications • Whistle • Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities • Manual can opener • Local maps • Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger • Pet food, leashes, crates and medications 2. Locate a hurricane evacuation route. If you plan to evacuate in the event of a hurricane, make sure to plan an evacuation route in advance. Some of the major Greater Houston area evacuation routes include the following highways: •    I-10 •    I-45 •    Hwy. 290 •    Hwy. 59 •    I-37 •    Hwy. 83/Hwy. 281 Click here to see evacuate routes recommended by the Houston-Galveston Area Council. Click here to see evacuation routes recommended by the Texas Department of Transportation. 3. Know the local emergency resources: Here are some local organizations that can come in handy in the event of an emergency: American Red Cross/ Greater Houston Area Chapter 2700 Hwy. 59, Houston 713-526-8300 www.redcross.org Brazoria County Office of Emergency Management 111 E. Locust St., Angleton 979-849-5711 brazoriacountytx.gov Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management 307 Fort St., Richmond 281-342-6185 www.fbcoem.org Galveston County Office of Emergency Management 1353 FM646 West, Ste. 201, Dickinson 888-384-2000 gcoem.org Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management 6922 Old Katy Road, Houston 713-881-3100 www.readyharris.org Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management 9472 Airport Road, Conroe 936-523-3900 www.mctxoem.org United Way of Greater Houston 50 Waugh Dr., Houston 713-685-2300 www.unitedwayhouston.org 4. Enroll in a local Community Emergency Response Team program. CERT programs offer basic training courses throughout the year to better prepare residents in the event of an emergency. Harris County Citizen Corps 713-881-3100 www.harriscountycitizencorps.com Contact: Mark Sloan, [email protected] Fort Bend County CERT Program 281-342-6185 or 281-342-4798 www.fboem.org Contact: Shauna Evans, [email protected] Grand Oaks Community (Magnolia) 832-955-2425 Contact: Benji Perkins, [email protected] Houston CERT 832-393-0922 www.houstoncert.org Contact: Jackie Miller, [email protected] Montgomery County CERT 936-523-3903 or 936-523-3910 www.mctxoem.org Contact: Miranda Garvey, [email protected] Pearland Area Citizens Corps 281-997-9777 or 281-412-7034 www.pearlandcc.org Contact: Buck Stevens, [email protected] The Woodlands CERT 281-210-5833 www.twcert.com Contact: Allison Downey, [email protected]