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Hurricane/ Tropical Storm

Tropical storms and hurricanes are a significant threat to the Texas Gulf Coast. Many major storms have caused a lot of destruction in our area in the past and we should expect future significant weather events to impact our area.

Hurricane Season runs from June 1st to November 30th and the peak months for hurricane season are August and September. Take action now and prepare ahead of time.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A HURRICANE:

  • Listen to local officials, monitor trusted sources, and register for AlertHouston to stay informed.

  • Have emergency supplies in place at home, at work, and in the car (blankets, water, extra clothing, first-aid kit, extra cell-phone charger, etc.) Visit our Preparedness Page for a full list of supplies for an emergency kit.

  • Shop for supplies for your emergency kit ahead of time. Don’t wait until stores are crowded and supplies are running low when a hurricane is in the Gulf.

  • Keep your gas tank at least half full during Hurricane Season.

  • Make a Plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know what to do, where to go, and what you will need.

  • Establish a primary and secondary meeting point in case of evacuation as part of your plan.

  • Keep important documents in a waterproof container.

  • Make sure your insurance policies and documents are up to date. Make copies and keep them in a secure password-protected digital space.

  • Keep your cell phone charged and purchase backup charging devices to power electronics.

  • Cover windows with plywood and buy sandbags, if needed.

  • Know how to turn off/on your utilities.

EVACUATION:

If it becomes necessary to evacuate residents during a hurricane, authorities will issue evacuation orders by zip code zone or “zone.” Residents should become familiar with which zone they reside in.

Knowing your zone will help you better understand when and if you need to evacuate during a hurricane or other serious storm. It will also help you avoid unnecessary evacuation travel, thereby reducing highway congestion, easing overcrowding at local storm shelters, and boosting public safety. You should only evacuate if you live in a storm surge evacuation zone or are ordered by elected and emergency officials to evacuate. Visit the Houston-Galveston Area Council to download a detailed evacuation map and for more information.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES:

Identify if you may need additional help during an emergency if you or anyone else in your household is an individual with a disability.

  • Register for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR). You can also register by calling 2-1-1. You MUST register every year.
  • Wear a medical tag or bracelet.
  • Know the location of life-saving treatment facilities.
  • Plan your transportation with METRO Lift or by calling 3-1-1.
  • Make note of the best way to communicate with you (ASL/braille, etc.)
  • Inform a loved one of your plan.
  • Communicate with neighbors who can assist you if you need to evacuate your building.
  • Give someone you trust a spare key of your home.
  • For emergency preparedness in ASL, visit the Disaster Resilience link or watch this FEMA video.
  • For weather safety information for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, visit the National Weather Service.
  • Coordinate with your doctor for emergency prescription refills.
  • Ensure you have backup power (batteries/generators) for electric medical equipment and follow safety guidelines.
  • Check if your utility offers life-sustaining equipment registration.
  • Ensure you have a plan for emergency oxygen supply replacement.
  • Include homecare providers in your emergency plan and ensure familiarity with their agency’s plan.

WHAT TO DO DURING A HURRICANE:

  • Take shelter and avoid travel.
  • Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters.
  • Restrict children from playing in flooded areas.
  • If you are trapped in your home, move to the highest point in your home, aside from the attic so that you’re not trapped. Move to the roof if necessary.
  • Stay away from glass windows and doors.
  • NEVER use a generator indoors. Generators should be outdoors at least 20 feet away.
  • If you evacuated, wait for official sources to announce when it’s safe to return.

AFTER A HURRICANE:

  • If you evacuated, do not return until local officials announce it’s safe to do so.

  • When cleaning a flooded home and debris, wear appropriate PPE (gloves, boots, mask, etc.) to protect yourself.

  • Do not touch electrical equipment if it’s wet.

  • Be prepared to be without utilities.

  • Discard unrefrigerated food.

  • Check our Recovery Page for FEMA assistance and resources.

Visit HoustonOEM.org/Prepare for more preparedness information. For Hurricane Outlook, Watch, Warning and Advisory Criteria, visit the National Weather Service.

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