Texas Sea Grant Releases Updated Homeowner’s Handbook for Coastal Hazards Ahead of Hurricane Season

Texas’ Homeowner’s Handbook to Prepare for Natural Disasters, updated in 2025.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (May 2026) — Just in time for hurricane season, Texas Sea Grant has released the newest edition of the Homeowner’s Handbook to Prepare for Natural Disasters, a science-based preparedness guide designed to help Texans strengthen their homes, protect their families and navigate disaster recovery.

First published in 1993, the handbook is produced by Texas Sea Grant’s Resilient Communities and Economies team and provides practical guidance for homeowners, renters and coastal residents living in hazard-prone areas. Made possible through partnerships with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Texas Water Development Board, Smart Home America, Gulf of America Alliance and the Texas General Land Office, the handbook combines applied science, emergency management expertise and lessons learned from decades of coastal storms.

The guide walks readers through the fundamentals of coastal hazards, including hurricane formation, storm surge and flooding, before outlining preparedness steps such as building emergency kits, creating evacuation plans and strengthening homes against wind and water damage. It also provides recovery guidance following disasters, including rebuilding considerations, insurance navigation and available assistance resources.

“Education on Emergency Preparedness is the first step in managing the realities of living on the coast,” said April Taylor, Texas Sea Grant Coastal Resilience Specialist. “The goal of the handbook is to educate and prepare Texans for common natural hazards, disasters, and recovery.”

Texas Sea Grant has utilized the handbook in previous disaster response efforts, including following Hurricane Harvey, when more than 7,500 copies were distributed through FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension County offices to assist impacted residents during recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Beyond emergency response, Texas Sea Grant continues supporting long-term resilience planning through tools and programs such as the Coastal Resilience Index, helping communities identify vulnerabilities and strengthen preparedness strategies before disasters occur.

Whether residents are lifelong coastal Texans or new to the Gulf Coast, the Homeowner’s Handbook serves as an accessible resource to help communities stay informed, prepared and resilient throughout hurricane season.

The 2026 edition of the Homeowner’s Handbook is now available online at hazardshandbook.com.