It is not if Galveston County will have a natural disaster, but WHEN. The most likely natural disaster to affect the citizens of Galveston County is a hurricane.  With hurricanes, there are several different types of hazards that may be encountered: storm surges, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. 

2024 Hurricane Evacuation Map

2024 Evacuation Map by Zip Code

2024 National Weather Service Hurricane and Severe Weather Guide

Storm-Proof Your Health: Emergency Plans for Older Adults

During hurricane season, it's essential for older adults to take proactive steps to ensure their safety and well-being. This guide is a comprehensive checklist to help you storm-proof your health and stay safe during hurricane season. 

Download Emergency Plans for Older Adults:  English  |  Spanish

What you can do to prepare yourself and your family

Before hurricane season starts:

• Plan an evacuation route for you and your family.
• Teach each family member how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water. (Don't forget, a professional will have to be called to turn them back on)
  
• Teach children how and when to call 911, police, or fire department
• Know which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
• Develop a family emergency communication plan.
  • In case family members are separated from one another during a disaster (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together.
  • Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
• Protect your windows.
  • Permanent shutters are the best protection. A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Use 1/2 inch plywood - marine plywood is best - cut to fit each window. Remember to label which board fits which window. Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws.
• Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.
• Check into flood insurance.
  • You can find out about the National Flood Insurance Program through your local insurance agent or emergency management office. There is normally a 30-day waiting period before a new policy becomes effective.  Homeowner policies do not cover damage from the flooding that accompanies a hurricane. 

If told to evacuate, do so! Make sure you take with you:

• Birth certificates
• Immunization records for children and adults
• Driver license or other photo ID
• Social Security cards
• Health insurance cards and policies
• Prescription medications and containers
• Any unfilled written prescriptions
• List of medications taken by family members
• Three- to five-day supply of water (one gallon of water per person per day)
• Three- to five-day supply of canned and other non-perishable foods
• Special foods for diabetics and others with special dietary needs
• Baby food, formula, diapers and other supplies for infants
• Fruits and vegetables
• Manual can opener
• Water-purifier, such as unscented chlorine bleach or iodine tables
• Soap, toothpaste, tissue and other personal hygiene supplies
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Disposable cleaning cloths or wipes
• First aid kit
• Extra eyeglasses, contacts and solutions
• Sleeping bags or blankets, sheets, pillows

• Flashlight (include extra batteries).
• Portable, battery-operated radio (include extra batteries).
• First aid kit and manual
• Non-electric can opener
• A three day supply of essential medicines and medical supplies for EACH applicable member of the family
• Cash and credit cards
• Sturdy shoes and gloves
• Emergency food and water, this should be 1 gallon of water per day per person and enough non-perishable food for 3 days for each family member and pet.

Pet disaster supply kit

• Proper identification including immunization records
• A current photograph of your pet
• Ample supply of food and water
• A carrier or cage
• Medications
• Muzzle, collar and leash