Fort Bend County Preparedness Alert: Expanded Hurricane Season Safety & Flood Planning Guide
Hurricane season is here, lasting from June 1 to November 1, and Fort Bend County officials are urging Parkway Lakes residents to take preparedness seriously. This week, a disturbance moving through the northern Gulf of Mexico is forecast to bring showers and thunderstorms to Southeast Texas starting Thursday night, with heaviest rainfall Friday and Saturday and lingering showers on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
Although the National Hurricane Center places only a 10% chance on the system becoming a tropical depression, the impact on rainfall is already expected. Coastal areas could receive 1–2 inches of rain, with isolated higher totals, and a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 4) of Excessive Rainfall has been issued—south of Conroe on Friday and along the coast Saturday—raising the chance of minor flooding in vulnerable areas.
This reminder comes on the heels of recent catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country, where sudden, intense rainfall led to significant property damage and heartbreaking loss of life. The event demonstrates how quickly severe weather can escalate and why being prepared—before warnings are issued—is critical for every household.
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How Fort Bend Residents Can Prepare
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Emergency Supplies: Have a week’s supply of non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, extra batteries, medications, and a first aid kit.
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Generators: Whether portable or whole-home, having backup power ensures refrigeration, medical equipment, and essential systems stay on.
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Evacuation and Shelter Planning: Know your designated evacuation routes and safe rooms within your home.
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Stay Informed: Sign up for local weather alerts and do not silence emergency notifications on your mobile devices. Timely alerts can be lifesaving.
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What to Buy for a Power Outage After Hurricane Beryl, My Neighborhood News published a comprehensive guide that includes a range of expert tips and top-rated products that can make power outages a little more bearable.
When the power goes out, keep moving with these products that aim to keep your family as safe, comfortable and secure as possible.
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Overlooked but Essential Steps
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Document Protection: Secure insurance, medical, and financial records in waterproof containers and digital cloud storage.
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Pet Preparedness: Create an emergency pet kit and know where animals are welcome during evacuations.
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Vehicle & Fuel: Keep gas tanks full and stock cars with basic emergency kits.
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Power & Communication: Have backup power banks and, if possible, two-way radios for when cell service is unreliable.
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Outdoor Safety: Trim trees, clear gutters, and secure outdoor items to prevent wind damage.
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Medical & Special Needs: Prepare for power-dependent medical devices and stock up on prescriptions.
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Cash on Hand: Keep small bills in case card systems fail.
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Community Networks: Join local emergency groups, neighborhood apps, or text chains.
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Comfort & Wellbeing: Pack games and entertainment to ease stress for children and families during outages.
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Flood Insurance Awareness
Flood damage is not covered under standard homeowner’s insurance. Officials urge Parkway Lakes residents to verify that their flood insurance policies are active and adequate. If uninsured, the National Flood Insurance Program can provide coverage, but policies take 30 days to become effective.
Learn more about flood insurance at floodsmart.gov.
Local Resources in Fort Bend County
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Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management: fbcoem.org provides weather updates and preparedness resources.
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Fort Bend Emergency Notification System: Residents can sign up for direct alerts about emergencies in their area.
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Houston TranStar: Monitors road conditions and closures during major storms. View their weather radar/traffic map here.
Fort Bend County leaders are clear: early preparation reduces risk. Severe weather events can happen anytime, and hurricane season brings heightened urgency to stay ready.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for updates on developing weather and preparedness resources.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
