Resilient Communities and Economies

Texas Sea Grant helps coastal communities get ready for hurricanes by sharing science-based resources, training, and support. Extension staff work with local leaders and residents on evacuation planning, flood insurance awareness, and resilient infrastructure. Through workshops and outreach, they help Texans better prepare for, respond to, and recover from storms.

The U.S. Gulf Coast—especially Texas—is a Texas’s Gulf Coast hosts vital oil and gas infrastructure that supports the nation’s energy supply. While safety systems are in place, these facilities depend on local infrastructure and workforce stability during disasters. A joint effort by UT Arlington, Lamar University, Texas Sea Grant, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and NOAA aims to strengthen the region’s energy and water resilience through climate-informed risk assessment and stakeholder collaboration.

From 2018 to 2023, Texas Sea Grant and SCIPP partnered to study how Texas businesses responded to Hurricane Harvey. Collaborating with researchers from Texas A&M and other institutions, the team identified key strategies for preparedness and recovery. Their work led to a Best Practices Guide to help businesses and nonprofits strengthen resilience to future disasters.

Based at Texas A&M, the Southern Regional Climate Center (SRCC) provides accessible climate data and tools for six southern states. As part of a NOAA network, SRCC supports sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, and emergency response with resources such as drought monitors, storm reports, and trend analyses. Texas Sea Grant helps extend SRCC’s reach by sharing tools at events and guiding stakeholder outreach, including through Climate by the Bayou models and climate workshops.

Coastal communities face growing threats from flooding, storms, habitat loss, and water quality issues. Smaller towns are especially vulnerable, often lacking the resources and expertise to plan for and respond to these challenges.

Marine industries like commercial and recreational fishing, seafood, and coastal tourism are vital to the economies of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Gulf Sea Grant programs have long supported these sectors. A recent report from the Texas, Louisiana, and Florida Sea Grant programs highlights the economic impact of these industries and how Sea Grant efforts benefit local and regional economies.

Texas Sea Grant may receive special project funding mid-year through an omnibus amendment, allowing rapid response to emerging coastal challenges. This additional support helps expand efforts—like coastal resilience projects and student internships—without affecting ongoing work.