Hurricane Season Officially Begins

Hurricanes are the greatest weather threat to Texas, according to state and federal emergency management officials.
 
Hurricane categories are based on the level of damage from hurricane winds.
 
When the wind speed increases above 39 mph, the tropical depression becomes a tropical storm and the storm is given a name.  When the winds reach 74 mph, the storm becomes a hurricane.
 
A tropical storm watch is issued when storm-force winds are possible within 36 hours.
A tropical storm warning is issued when storm-force winds are expected within 24 hours.
A hurricane watch is issued when hurricane-force winds are possible within 36 hours.
A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane-force winds are expected within 24 hours.
 
 
When there's a major storm in the Gulf of Mexico, monitor broadcast media and listen for instructions from local officials. Do not take tropical storms for granted. Even slow moving tropical storms can be deadly. 
 
The Governor's Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service and FEMA urge coastal residents to gather supplies and documents they will need BEFORE a hurricane threatens Texas. 
 
Keep your emergency supplies in easy-to-carry containers. Re-check and refill your hurricane supplies after every storm. Use this checklist:
 
 

• First-aid kit, prescription medications, copies of prescriptions, other special medical items, hearing aids and batteries, eye glasses
• Important documents and records, photo IDs, proof of residence, information to process insurance claims
• Credit cards and cash (with power out, banks and ATMs may not be available)
• Battery-operated radio, NOAA Weather Radio and extra batteries
• Phone numbers of family, friends and other important phone numbers
• Road maps, a travel plan, hotel reservations, list of places between your town and your destination to stop if the highways are clogged
• 3-day supply of non-perishable food, one gallon of bottled water per person per day, coolers for food and ice storage, paper plates, utensils
• Manual can opener, knife, tools, booster cables, fire extinguisher, duct tape, tarp, rope, flashlight with extra batteries
• Extra keys
• Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags for each person, extra clothing, toys for children
• Supplies for babies, the elderly and family members with special health care needs
• Toilet paper, cleanup supplies, personal hygiene products
• Leash, food, cleaning supplies and veterinary records for pets