BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas — Hurricane season is less than a month away, and local residents are being encouraged to prepare before a storm enters the Gulf.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30, according to the National Hurricane Center.
For Brazoria County, preparation is more than a seasonal reminder. Coastal communities such as Freeport, Surfside Beach, Quintana and nearby areas can face storm surge, flooding, high winds and evacuation concerns when tropical systems move toward the Texas coast.
The National Hurricane Center said Thursday that there are currently no tropical cyclones in the Atlantic. Regular Tropical Weather Outlooks are scheduled to resume May 15 or earlier if needed.
But emergency officials warn that the best time to prepare is before a storm is on the map.
The Houston-Galveston Area Council, which supports hurricane evacuation planning for the region, says preparation should begin long before a storm enters the Gulf. Its guidance focuses on three main steps: have a plan, know your zone and stay informed.
That means residents should review evacuation routes, gather supplies, secure important documents and talk with family members about where they will go if an evacuation is ordered.
Brazoria County Emergency Management lists several preparedness resources for residents, including the county disaster guide, the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, hurricane evacuation assistance information, evacuation routes and the hurricane evacuation zip zone map.
Evacuations in Brazoria County are commonly based on zip zones. City and county officials may order evacuations when a hurricane threatens, and residents are urged to be ready to leave when their zone is called.
Residents with medical needs, disabilities, limited transportation or other special circumstances should prepare early. Local emergency guidance encourages those who may need evacuation help to register through STEAR, the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, before a storm is approaching.
Families should also make plans for pets. That includes pet food, medication, carriers, vaccination records and a safe place to stay if evacuation becomes necessary.
A basic emergency kit should include enough food, water and essential supplies for at least three days. Residents should also include medications, flashlights, batteries, phone chargers, first-aid supplies, hygiene items, cash, copies of important documents and supplies for children, seniors or pets.
Drivers should also know their evacuation options before conditions worsen. Regional guidance lists major evacuation routes including SH 36, SH 288, SH 6, I-45 and U.S. 290, depending on where residents are leaving from and where they are headed.
Officials also remind residents not to wait until the last minute. Stores can run low on supplies, gas stations can become crowded and evacuation traffic can build quickly once a storm threat becomes clear.
Residents should follow official information from local emergency management, the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center, city officials and county sources.
Hurricane season does not guarantee a storm will hit Brazoria County, but local preparedness can make a major difference if one does.
For families along the Gulf Coast, the message is simple: make the plan now, check the supplies now and know where to get official information before hurricane season begins.
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