June 1st Marks Official Start of 2024 Hurricane Season Harris County Urges Residents to Prepare
(Houston, TX) – Hurricane season officially begins June 1 and lasts through November 30. The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) urges all residents to prepare now.
In the month of May alone, Harris County experienced severe storms, major flooding, and straight-line winds. These events serve as a reminder that residents must be prepared year-round for weather related emergencies, not just during hurricane season.
“The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management monitors all named storms that could potentially affect the Texas coast,” said Harris County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Sloan. “Our proximity to the coast makes us vulnerable and all residents must prepare. It only takes one storm to impact our area and make it a bad season.”
HCOHSEM reminds residents that preparedness is key to surviving disasters of all types. You can take three simple steps to prepare for hurricane season: Get a Kit, Make a Plan, and Stay Informed.
Get a Kit
Everyone needs to have an emergency supply kit that contains enough non-perishable food and water to last seven days. Other essential items to include in your kit are medications, a first aid kit, flashlights, items for babies, and pet supplies including food, water, leashes, medications, and vaccination records. A copy of the Emergency Essentials Checklist can be found at www.readyharris.org under Get Prepared.
Make a Plan
Residents who live in an evacuation zone need to learn their evacuation routes and follow instructions from local authorities. To determine if your home is located in an evacuation zone, check the Zip Zone Evacuation Map.
If you may need help evacuating, sign up with the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) online or call 2-1-1 to register. STEAR is a free service available to residents with access and functional needs, and individuals who may need transportation assistance.
It is also encouraged for homeowners, renters, and business owners to buy flood insurance through their insurance agent, even if they have never experienced flooding. For residents who may already have coverage, check the status of the policy to be sure it has not lapsed. It is also important to remember that Flood insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) normally carry a 30-day waiting period and are not sold when there is an active tropical cyclone in the Gulf of Mexico. For more information, visit www.FloodSmart.gov.
Stay Informed
Remember, it is important to be weather aware and stay informed before, during, and after a storm. Sign up to receive weather and emergency alerts at www.readyharris.org and text GULF2024 to 888-777 for hurricane season updates.
Residents can sign up for ReadyHarris Accessible Alerts which is a free program for those who are deaf, blind, hard of hearing, have low vision or low literacy. The emergency alerts are available in American Sign Language, and voice and text in English and Spanish. You can receive these alerts by texting R-E-A-D-Y to 281-609-9093.
ABOUT HCOHSEM
HCOHSEM is a national model of best practices in emergency planning, preparation, response, and recovery. HCOHSEM helps prepare, safeguard, and protect the residents and property of Harris County from the effects of disasters through effective planning, preparation, response, and recovery activities.
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