The Galveston County Daily News

One thing you can count on with hurricanes, they happen when it’s hot.

Among the lessons I took away from Hurricane Ike, which I rode out in a second-story downtown loft with my husband, Michael A. Smith, is the necessity of having the right clothing to get you through the oppressively muggy days after a storm, when power is out and cool breezes are scarce.

Here’s what I learned to build a catastrophe casual wardrobe:

Foot forward: Try to stay out of the toxic floodwaters, especially if you have open wounds. But if you must walk in the water, have the right shoes. One of the most astonishing post-hurricane sights was watching people walk through floodwaters in the island’s downtown wearing flip flops.

I could hear glass from shop windows crunching under their feet. Sharp debris, re-bar and nails lurked everywhere.

You’re best bet is to invest in a cheap pair of tennis shoes or hiking boots. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend wearing rubber boots if you’re going to be slogging through nasty water that may contain sewage. But rubber boots aren’t comfortable for getting around town. Whatever you buy for the hurricane, don’t spend a lot. I had to chunk a pricey pair of Vasque running shoes after they were contaminated.

Smarty pants: My husband, a former staff sergeant with the U.S. Army, believes in having appropriate clothing and gear for every occasion. Since he converted me to camping years ago, I’ve amassed quite the collection of rain jackets, convertible pants (they convert to shorts) and hiking pants. I’ve endured long and tedious lectures about wicking and chafing. But, and this is a delicate subject, I had trouble sharing his enthusiasm for functional underwear. Not long after Ike, my husband returned from a trip at Academy Sports and Outdoors with a few pairs of Under Armour boxer shorts for women.

“Uhm, they’re weird,” I told him.

But soon, I was a believer. Ladies and gentlemen, invest in breathable, moisture-wicking fabric. You’ll thank us later.

Stock up: Make sure you have plenty of clothes handy. I learned the hard way that washing laundry becomes extremely tricky when the water systems and power fail. Stock up on lightweight pants and shirts, thick socks and breathable underwear. Make sure to have caps and sun hats handy. Invest in long-sleeve shirts with good UV protection.

Protect yourself: Be ready for cleanup. Always remember that flood water may contain sewage. Thousands of residents and business owners got a crash course in mucking out houses and buildings. Along with rubber boots, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommend you wear rubber gloves and goggles during cleanup.

Decontamination: Wash all clothes during cleanup in hot water and detergent. The clothes should be washed separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens, according to health officials. Wash clothes contaminated with flood or sewage water in hot water and detergent. Health officials recommend using a laundromat for washing large quantities of clothes and linens until your on-site wastewater system has been professionally inspected.