With the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season beginning June 1, Ready Brownsville and local emergency officials are reminding residents to prepare now, before a storm develops in the Gulf.
Officials say every household should have an emergency plan in place, whether that means evacuating or sheltering at home.
“Every resident should already have a plan,” said Odee Leal, Director of the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. “If you don’t have a plan, now is the time to start preparing with a plan to ensure that everyone in the house knows what to do in case of an emergency.”
Preparation also includes securing the outside of the home. Residents are encouraged to trim trees, remove dead branches, repair damaged fences, and inspect roofs for loose shingles or debris that could become dangerous during high winds.
Families living in mobile homes should check tie-downs for rust or damage and be prepared to evacuate if local officials issue evacuation orders.
Emergency officials also recommend keeping important documents, including IDs, insurance policies, prescriptions, and medical records, in waterproof containers.
Households should also have enough emergency supplies to be self-sufficient for at least three days. That includes non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, a battery-operated radio, medications, extra cash, and pet supplies.
Residents planning to stay at a city-run shelter with pets must also prepare ahead of time.
“They have to have a leash for their pet, food for their pet,” Leal said. “They will not be allowed in the shelter without a kennel for their pet. They have to be in the kennel at all times.”
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Officials say the biggest mistake residents can make is waiting until a storm is already approaching to get ready.
Source: City of Brownsville
