Hurricane Season 2025 Begins June 1: Fort Bend County Urges The 1463 Residents to Prepare Now During National Hurricane Preparedness Week
With the official start of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season just around the corner on June 1, Fort Bend County officials are urging The 1463 residents to take proactive steps now to prepare for potential storms. As part of National Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 5–11), local agencies including Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management (FBCOEM), Fort Bend County Health & Human Services, and CenterPoint Energy are working together to educate and equip residents for hurricane season.
“Preparedness begins at home,” said Greg Babst, Fort Bend County Emergency Management Coordinator. “We work year-round to plan for disasters, but it’s crucial that every resident take personal responsibility to get ready. Your actions today can protect lives and property tomorrow.”
What Fort Bend County Residents Should Do Now
Local emergency management and public health officials have released key recommendations for hurricane preparedness:
Prepare Your Home
Secure outdoor furniture, clear gutters, reinforce windows and doors, and inspect drainage systems. Fort Bend County Drainage District offers helpful guidance and resources for property owners regarding emergency response here.
Purchase Flood Insurance
Even if you’re not in a designated floodplain, Fort Bend is no stranger to flooding. Policies through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) require a 30-day waiting period. Visit FloodSmart.gov for information and rates, and bookmark the Harris County Flood Warning System website at harriscountyfws.org, which includes data in areas surrounding Harris County as well.
Know Your Evacuation Routes
Review Fort Bend County's hurricane evacuation map and zones here. Depending on your location and storm conditions, evacuation orders may vary.
Build a Custom Emergency Kit
Stock at least three days’ worth of food, water, medications, pet supplies, flashlights, and hygiene products. Include a battery-powered radio and back-up power for devices and medical equipment. Check out this curated guide, which was published by My Neighborhood News in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.
Create a Family Communication Plan
Ensure every member of your household knows how to reconnect if separated. Designate an out-of-town contact and prepare for digital outages.
Plan for Health Needs
Work with your health care provider to ensure access to medications, refrigerated prescriptions, and special mobility devices. Fort Bend Health & Human Services offers disaster health planning tips at fbchealth.org.
Register for Emergency Assistance
If you or a family member may need help evacuating, register with the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) at stear.texas.gov or by dialing 2-1-1.
“Every household in Fort Bend County should build a plan that reflects their family’s unique needs,” said Babst. “That includes planning for pets, medical devices, and power needs."
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CenterPoint Energy: Fortifying the Grid
As a key utility provider for Fort Bend County, CenterPoint Energy continues to strengthen infrastructure through its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative. Key improvements include:
- Installation of 25,000 storm-hardened utility poles
- Automation of 4,850 electric grid devices
- Undergrounding of 400 miles of distribution lines
- Community preparedness events and emergency generator donations
Residents are encouraged to monitor outages through the newly updated Outage Tracker, now available in English and Spanish at centerpointenergy.com.
“Hurricane Preparedness Week reminds us how vital it is to plan ahead,” said Tony Gardner, CenterPoint’s Chief Customer Officer. “We’re working nonstop to protect Fort Bend communities and build a stronger coastal grid.”
Prioritizing Health and Wellness in Emergencies
Fort Bend County Health & Human Services emphasizes the importance of safeguarding both physical and mental health during and after disasters. Residents should:
- Store emergency copies of prescriptions
- Plan for hygiene in low-water situations
- Be aware of the risks of contaminated floodwaters and food spoilage
- Use the Disasters and Your Health guide (available in multiple languages) at fbchealth.org/emergency
- For health assistance, residents can call 281-342-6414.
“Disasters are unpredictable, but your preparedness doesn’t have to be,” said Dr. Letosha Gale-Lowe, Fort Bend County Health & Human Services Director. “A few simple steps can save lives.”
Stay Ready, Fort Bend
As hurricane season looms, Fort Bend County officials urge residents to act now — not when a storm is already on the radar. From insurance to evacuation planning, health preparation to power resilience, the steps you take today will shape how well you weather the storms ahead.
Visit fbcoem.org and follow Fort Bend County OEM on social media for live updates, resources, and preparedness tips throughout the season.
Fort Bend is stronger when every household is ready. Prepare today, stay safe tomorrow.
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.
