Hurricane Preparedness and Evacuation Planning

If it becomes necessary to evacuate residents during a hurricane, authorities will issue evacuation orders by zip code zone or “zip zone.” Coastal residents should become familiar with zip zone in which they reside.

Knowing your zone will help you better understand when and if you need to evacuate during a hurricane or other serious storm. It will also help you avoid unnecessary evacuation travel, thereby reducing highway congestion, easing overcrowding at local storm shelters, and boosting public safety.

Below, you can find detailed zip zone and evacuation route maps for the Southeast Texas region.

Shelter in Place

Residents who live outside the hurricane evacuation zones should be prepared to shelter in during a severe storm. Prepare an emergency supply kit with enough non-perishable food and water for at least three days. If you have pets or large animals in your care, plan to have enough food to last them for several days. Also, plan for relatives with medical or special needs.

Visit TogetherAgainstTheWeather.com for more information on how to prepare seniors, and individuals who may be ill or have a disability for hurricane season.

If you feel the need to leave your residence, allow those who live in evacuation zones to leave the coastal area first.

Shelter-in-Place Safety Tips

Pay close attention to the local news for emergency updates and official instructions. Stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors. Before the storm, turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings. This will keep food fresh longer if the power goes out. Store water in clean bathtubs, jugs, and bottles.

If the power go out, unplug all appliances, TVs, stereos, and computers not connected to a surge-protected outlet. Doing this will reduce potential damages from power surges when electricity is restored. Store valuables and personal documents in waterproof containers. Keep flashlights handy.

Emergency Supply Kit Essentials

Residents who shelter in place during a hurricane or severe storm should have a well-stocked emergency supply kit. Below are some essential items every kit should include:

• Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle (to signal for help if needed)
• Dust masks (to help filter contaminated air)
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Manual can opener
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Visit ready.gov for more information on how to prepare your home and family for a hurricane and other disaster planning tips.

The Harris County Office of Emergency Management has developed an interactive evacuation map to help residents decide if they live in an evacuation zone. Find out if your residence is in an evacuation zone to help develop your hurricane plan.

The Houston-Galveston region has four zip zone areas, classified based on their level of threat from storm surge.

Use the hurricane zip zone maps to easily find your evacuation zone so that you’ll be ready to move quickly if your zone is announced. If you have other family members who live in a coastal area, become familiar with their evacuation zone as well. You may be able to help them with their evacuation plans.

Zip zone maps are updated each year before hurricane season.

Hurricane evacuation routes are specially designated roadways used to supply the safest and most timely evacuation of coastal areas during a hurricane threat.

Once you are familiar with your zip zone, it is important to know the evacuation routes near you.

Download and save a copy of the evacuation route map so you know how to safely and quickly leave the area. Evacuation route maps are updated each year before hurricane season.

Create an emergency supply kit with essential supplies you will need to take with you when evacuating. If you’re not sure where to start, check out this emergency essentials checklist from Harris County, which includes essential items to protect against COVID-19.

Shop early and give yourself more time to buy emergency supplies. Have refills for prescriptions and other medical supplies your family uses regularly.

If you have pets, include in your kit basic survival items, medications, and items to keep your pets happy. Visit ready.gov/pets for more information about preparing pets for a natural disaster.

There are several essential documents you will want to take with you or safeguard in the event of an evacuation. These documents include your identification, insurance information, and medical information.

Make sure these documents are current and take measures to safeguard them now. Make copies and keep them in a safety deposit box or a secure, password-protected digital space. Visit ready.gov for a full list of critical documents to safeguard to prepare for a natural disaster.

Residents with special needs can sign up for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR). The STEAR program provides local emergency planners and first responders with additional information on the needs in their community. Learn more about STEAR at tdem.texas.gov/stear/.

There are several ways to receive warnings and alerts. Residents can download the FEMA app and receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. Also, sign up for community alerts in your area, and pay close attention to weather reports from your local news sources. Be aware of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alert, which requires no signup.

Only evacuate when you are instructed to do so by local officials. By waiting until your zip zone is called to evacuate, you will help reduce congestion and enhance roadway safety for fellow travelers. At the same time, when your zip zone is called to evacuate, leave immediately. Do not wait until the last minute. When it is time to leave, follow any guidelines and directions given on routes and what to do.

After the storm has passed, pay close attention to emergency officials’ instructions through local news reports and emergency alerts. They will announce when it is safe to return to the area. There may still be hidden hazards that first responders and emergency officials need to clear before residents can safely return to their homes.

For more information on how to plan for a hurricane evacuation and for other disaster preparedness resources, visit ready.gov, the official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

H-GAC’s Together Against the Weather website provides information to individuals with special needs and their caregivers. Visit TogetherAgainstTheWeather.com for more information on how to prepare for hurricane season.

Click below to watch our hurricane preparedness video playlist on the H-GAC YouTube channel.

H-GAC works closely with many federal, state, regional, and local agencies to prepare for severe weather events and plan regional evacuation routes. Visit our Preparedness Resources page for more information on how to plan for severe weather and other emergencies from our partners throughout the region.