The 2023 Hurricane Season begins June 1, 2023. The Harris County Flood Control District encourages Harris County residents to prepare their families and homes for hurricanes and other weather-related impacts. Hurricanes can shatter lives as well as damage property. Being prepared can help you, your family or your business minimize the impact of the storm.

“The best time to start preparing is before the threat is imminent. Knowing what tools are available to you before a disaster will enable you and your family to make the best choices during a hurricane. While we can never prevent flooding entirely, the Flood Control District offers several interactive tools that are packed with valuable information about area bayous and streams," said Tina Petersen, Harris County Flood Control District Executive Director.

“Residents need to be prepared by creating a hurricane kit with supplies, having an action plan for you and your family in the event of a storm, and frequently monitoring trusted weather sources throughout hurricane season. During a severe weather event, the Harris County Flood Control District's Flood Operations team will monitor rainfall trends and check the gages that measure rainfall amounts and water levels in bayous and creeks. This important data is critical to helping residents make informed decisions,” said Jeff Lindner, Harris County Flood Control District Meteorologist.

Preparedness is the key to protecting Harris County residents and property. By doing so, residents ensure that they will minimize damages as much as possible if a hurricane threatens the area. Do not wait until a storm approaches to get ready.

Purchase flood insurance. Harris County Flood Control District recommends that all Harris County residents become informed about their flood risk and have flood insurance no matter where they reside in Harris County. Flood insurance accelerates the rebuilding and replacement of personal property and fosters community resiliency as a whole. For information on flood insurance, visit the National Flood Insurance Program website or call 1-888-379-9531.

Sign up for FWS alerts. The Flood Warning System offers an alert feature that allows residents to subscribe to receive email and/or text alerts that report near real-time rainfall and water levels. Residents are able to customize alerts and notifications for bayous and tributaries in their particular areas of interest. Sign up for the Alert Notification System at fwsalerts.org.

Know your home’s risk of flooding. You can view a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM or floodplain map) at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Map Service Center.

View the Harris County Flood Control District Storm Center webpage at hcfcd.org/stormcenter to view the District Hurricane Guide, information on Flood Insurance and more.