Mesquite officials outline tornado, flood and sheltering guidance; urge three-day self-sufficiency and STEER registration

Mesquite emergency management staff used a Town Hall Tuesday presentation to walk residents through tornado and flood safety steps, explain how the city uses outdoor warning sirens, and encourage people with medical or mobility needs to register with the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEER).

Deputy City Manager Raymond Rivas opened the meeting and introduced Fire Chief Keith Hopkins and the city’s emergency management coordinator, Robert Sullivan. Sullivan led most of the presentation, describing the four phases of emergency management—mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery—and practical measures residents can take to reduce risk.

Sullivan told attendees, "Every time I leave these types of things I get to tell myself: alright, well 0.05% more prepared in the city of Mesquite," and emphasized residents are the community’s primary resource: "Nobody has a better knowledge base on how to take care of the city than all of you." He urged households to maintain at least a three-day supply of necessities—water (one gallon per person per day), food, batteries/flashlight, a weather radio and first-aid supplies—and to store those supplies in a dry, easily accessible place.

The presentation covered specific tornado and flood safety guidance. Sullivan explained that public restroom areas in large buildings are often safer during a tornado because they typically have no exterior windows and doors that close. He warned against sheltering in vehicles or mobile homes and repeated standard flood guidance: six to seven inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet; 12 inches can move a small car; 24 inches can sweep away larger vehicles.

Sullivan also reviewed storm warning systems and local planning. He recommended the National Weather Service as a trusted source of forecasts and cautioned that outdoor sirens are meant to prompt people to go indoors rather than to encourage people to go outside to investigate. He displayed a map of existing and proposed siren locations and said the city is planning to expand siren coverage as Mesquite grows.

On special-needs planning, Sullivan described STEER—the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry—as a planning tool residents with mobility or medical dependencies should use: "If I know I have 50 people in the city who require oxygen, I need to keep a special eye on this population and get them somewhere where I know I can get them oxygen." City staff confirmed STEER information is added to dispatch notes to help first responders if someone calls 911.

City staff also addressed insurance and recovery. An attendee from city staff noted FEMA assistance only covers uninsured losses and urged residents to confirm whether their policies include separate flood insurance. The staff member said, "FEMA only covers uninsured losses... if you have insurance, FEMA is going to rely on you to utilize your insurance before they provide any type of financial assistance."

During Q&A, residents raised flood-zone mapping and shelter options for mobile-home or RV residents. Staff directed residents to FEMA’s online flood maps (search by ZIP code) and said local building permitting avoids construction in floodways; developers must submit flood studies when projects approach floodplain boundaries. On RV and mobile-home sheltering, staff said there is no state, federal or local law that requires RV parks to provide hardened shelters and reiterated that internal restroom or other enclosed areas provided by a site are often the most practical refuge.

The presentation closed with reminders to have shoes and important documents handy when seeking shelter, to include dietary needs and pet plans in emergency kits, and to consider storm-spotter training if interested.

Town Hall organizers announced the next session: May 13 at 6:30 p.m. on the city’s rental inspection program.