Hurricane Preparedness
The Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 through November 30.
A hurricane is a specific type of tropical cyclone, which is a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has a closed low-level circulation. Tropical cyclones rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less.
- Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph (34 to 63 knots).
- Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher.
- Major Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 111 mph (96 knots) or higher, corresponding to a Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
RESOURCES
- Watch more hurricane preparedness videos
- Download The Eye of the Storm: A Coastal Texan’s Survival Guide
- Download Protecting Your Boat Against Severe Weather
- Download the Texas Homeowner’s Handbook to Prepare for Coastal Natural Hazards
- Download the Homeowner’s Handbook – Spanish Version
- Download the Coastal Homeowner’s Handbook Mobile App
- Hurricane Preparedness Week
- Peer Listening Program & Training (Gulf of Mexico Sea Grant Oil Spill Outreach Program)
NOAA NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
- Visit the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center website
- Download information about the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
- Download the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale Extended Table
- Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
- Hurricane strikes between 1950-2011
- Tropical Cyclone Names
- Download the Tropical Cyclone Preparedness Guide (English)
- Download Ciclones Tropicales (Spanish)
- Watch PSAs on Hurricane Preparedness Week
- Watch Spanish PSA on Hurricane Preparedness Week
- Be a Force of Nature with NOAA’s Weather-Ready Nation
- National Hurricane Center Outreach Resources
STATE OF TEXAS
- Texas Emergency Portal
- Texas Department of Transportation (includes evacuation routes)
- Texas Department of Transportation: Road Conditions
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- Texas Ready – English version
- Texas Ready – Spanish version
- Texas Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA)
- FEMA Texas Region
- Ready.gov Hurricanes
- Make a Plan
- Ready.gov for Kids
- COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance All-Hazards
DISASTER SUPPLY KIT
OTHER RESOURCES
- American Red Cross
- Download Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors
- Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Parents from Save the Children
- National Hurricane Survival Initiative
- Hurricane Hacks – How to Drive Safe Before, During, and After a Natural Disaster
AFTER THE STORM: NAVIGATING FEMA FACTSHEETS
Texas Sea Grant has modified a series of information sheets, first developed by the Louisiana Sea Grant Law and Policy Program, to help those affected by major storms to navigate Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programs and related legal issues during rebuilding.
- View the Glossary of Frequently Used FEMA/NFIP Terms and Acronyms
- Download the Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFE) During Rebuilding
- Download information on When Your Home or Business Was Completely Destroyed or Substantially Damaged
- View information on the Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) Program
NOAA OCEAN SERVICE
COVID-19 AND HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
- Disaster kits need to include hand sanitizer, cleaning products, and two cloth face coverings for each member of the family who can wear one.
- Damage assessment work and applying for assistance is going to be done virtually more than ever o This means photo-documentation of assets before and after an event is extra important.
- Those involved in sheltering are doing their best to build in social distancing and other safety measures, but people may still be afraid to seek shelter and this may well mean more people in harms way.
COVID-19 HURRICANE RESOURCES
- Preparing for Hurricanes During the COVID-19 Pandemic (CDC)
- Going to a Public Disaster Shelter During the COVID-19 Pandemic (CDC)
- Hazards Data Distribution System (USGS)
- A Dual Disaster Handbook: 6 Recommendations for Local Leaders Responding to Floods During COVID-19 (American Flood Coalition)
- Federal Funding Opportunities for Flood Resilience: A Guide for Small Cities (American Flood Coalition)
- Strong Homes, Safe Families FLASH® podcast series (Federal Alliance for Safe Homes)