‘Let’s take care of Texas,’ Texans’ Will Anderson Jr. teams up with USAA, Coast Guard to prep for hurricane season

HOUSTON – As the real potential dangers of hurricane season approaches, Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. is raising awareness about making critical preparations for a possible severe weather event.

Anderson, a first-round draft pick from Alabama and last year’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, is partnering with USAA, the US Coast Guard and local emergency responders at Houston TranStar.

Anderson, along with USAA senior vice president of safety and loss prevention Rob Braggs, Harris County Emergency Management coordinator Mark Sloan and U.S. Coast Guard sector captain Keith M. Donahue, emphasized during a USAA Huddle up for Hurricane Prep, the unpredictable of hurricanes. Research suggests roughly 57 percent of residents of hurricane-prone states take steps to prepare for hurricane season. Best practices include purchasing flood insurance, taking care of pets and having first aid kits, flashlights and candles in the event of a hurricane.

“June starts the beginning of hurricane season and we want everyone to be safe, to prepare the right way,” Anderson said. “This is not something you should take lightly. We have amazing people to help spread awareness to everything we have going on here in this beautiful state we call Texas. So, everybody please listen, take precaution, be safe and lets take care of Texas.”

A Georgia native, Anderson hasn’t experienced a hurricane before, but he’s taking precautions in the event one hits the state of Texas.

“I’ve got to get myself prepared,” Anderson said. “It’s a serious matter. Now that I’m officially a part of this, I am going to take it very seriously and bring awareness to it. It’s very important. The weather can change at any moment. You always want to be safe, no matter where you’re going.”

As a dog owner, too, Anderson wanted to make it a special point to urge pet owners to make sure their pets are safe and prioritized and that flood insurance is purchased.

“Those are big emphasis, make sure you’re taken care of,” Anderson said. “It’s very unfortunate a lot of people don’t have that (flood insurance.) It would be great to get a plan. You see all the time people leaving their pets behind. Please don’t leave your pets behind. They’re just as important as humans. They’re a part of your family and you shouldn’t leave them behind. My dog will be right in my arms, whatever happens.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.

asd