Hurricane Season Begins June 1: Harris County Officials Urge Residents to Prepare Now Despite Forecast for a Less Active 2026 Season
June 1 marks the official start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, a six-month period that has historically brought some of the most destructive weather events in Texas history. While early forecasts suggest the upcoming season may be less active than normal, Harris County officials are encouraging residents not to let their guard down.
For families across Harris County and the greater Houston region, hurricane preparedness is about more than monitoring the weather. It is about protecting homes, businesses, loved ones, and communities before a storm ever appears in the Gulf.
The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) is using the start of hurricane season as a reminder that preparation today can make a significant difference when severe weather threatens Southeast Texas.
“We can’t control when disaster strikes, but we can control how we prepare. Throughout my last eight years in office, we’ve worked hard to build collaboration and design systems to help our community be more resilient. Now, we’re asking you to do your part: get a kit, make a plan, stay informed and be involved in hurricane season preparedness. I’ve seen firsthand how our community comes together in the face of disaster, and I know that Harris County will get through whatever comes our way this hurricane season together,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.
Why Hurricane Preparedness Matters in Harris County
For many longtime residents, hurricane season brings memories of storms such as Hurricane Harvey and other tropical systems that produced devastating flooding, power outages, property damage, and prolonged recovery efforts.
The National Weather Service notes that every hurricane season tells a different story, and even years with relatively few storms can produce significant local impacts. In a letter to Southeast Texas residents included in the 2026 Southeast Texas Hurricane Guide, National Weather Service Houston/Galveston Warning Coordination Meteorologist Jimmy Fowler emphasized a message familiar to Gulf Coast residents: “It only takes one.”
The guide highlights Hurricane Alicia in 1983 as an example of a major Texas-impacting storm that occurred during one of the least active Atlantic hurricane seasons on record.
That reminder is especially relevant for Harris County, where millions of residents remain vulnerable to flooding, hurricane-force winds, tornadoes, and storm surge impacts associated with tropical systems.
2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast
There is some encouraging news for Gulf Coast residents this year.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) currently forecasts a 55% chance of a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season and only a 10% chance of an above-normal season.
Forecasters expect between eight and 14 named storms during the 2026 season. Of those storms, three to six are expected to become hurricanes, including up to three major hurricanes with sustained winds of at least 111 mph.
By comparison, an average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.
Meteorologists attribute much of the reduced activity outlook to the development of a strong El Niño pattern. Strong El Niño conditions increase wind shear across the tropical Atlantic, making it more difficult for tropical systems to organize and strengthen.
Still, weather experts stress that seasonal forecasts do not predict where storms will form or where they may ultimately make landfall.
Forecasts are also adjusted throughout the season as ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions evolve.
The 2026 Hurricane Names
If storms develop this year, the National Hurricane Center will use the following names for the 2026 Atlantic season:
Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Leah, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky and Wilfred.
Names are established by the World Meteorological Organization and rotate every six years. Storm names may be retired if a hurricane becomes particularly deadly or costly.
Four Steps Harris County Residents Should Take Now
HCOHSEM recommends residents focus on four key preparedness actions before any storm threatens the Gulf Coast.
Get a Kit
Emergency officials recommend maintaining enough supplies to sustain your household for at least seven days.
A hurricane preparedness kit should include:
- Non-perishable food and water
- Prescription medications
- First aid supplies
- Flashlights and batteries
- Important documents
- Baby supplies
- Pet food and pet medications
- Cash
- Portable weather radio
The National Weather Service's Southeast Texas Hurricane Guide also recommends including copies of insurance documents, identification records, extra clothing, blankets, and communication information for family members.
Make a Plan
Residents should know whether they live in a hurricane evacuation zone and identify evacuation routes before an emergency occurs.
Those who may require transportation assistance or additional support during an evacuation are encouraged to register with the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) by calling 2-1-1 or registering online. The free program assists people with disabilities, medical needs, mobility limitations, and other functional needs.
Stay Informed
Harris County encourages residents to sign up for emergency alerts through ReadyHarris and to remain weather-aware throughout hurricane season.
Residents can receive hurricane season updates by texting GULF2026 to 888777.
Individuals who are deaf, blind, hard of hearing, have low vision, or have low literacy can register for ReadyHarris Accessible Alerts by texting READY to 281-609-9093.
The National Weather Service also recommends enabling Wireless Emergency Alerts on smartphones and monitoring trusted sources such as weather.gov/houston and hurricanes.gov for updates.
Be Involved
HCOHSEM encourages residents to consider Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training through Harris County Citizen Corps.
The program teaches disaster preparedness, basic medical aid, light search and rescue, fire suppression, and other emergency response skills that can help communities respond before professional responders arrive.
Flooding Remains a Major Threat
Although many people focus on wind speeds when hurricanes approach, floodwaters continue to be one of the greatest hazards associated with tropical systems.
The National Weather Service warns that inland flooding remains a significant threat in Southeast Texas and encourages residents to obtain flood insurance before storms threaten the Gulf Coast.
Flood insurance policies through the National Flood Insurance Program typically carry a 30-day waiting period and generally cannot be purchased when an active tropical cyclone is approaching.
Emergency officials also continue to stress the message: "Turn Around, Don't Drown," reminding drivers never to enter flooded roadways.
Storm Surge: The Greatest Threat Along the Coast
For residents closer to Galveston Bay and the Gulf Coast, storm surge remains one of the most dangerous hurricane hazards.
According to the National Hurricane Center, storm surge is often the leading cause of hurricane-related fatalities. The Southeast Texas Hurricane Guide notes that as little as six inches of moving water can knock down an adult, while two feet of water can sweep away vehicles.
Storm surge can also extend well inland, affecting areas many miles from the coastline depending on terrain and elevation. Potential storm surge maps included in the 2026 Southeast Texas Hurricane Guide illustrate how flooding risks expand dramatically as storm intensity increases.
What Happens Next
Historically, the most active portion of hurricane season for the Texas coast occurs during August and September. However, storms can develop and affect Texas during any month of the season.
While the 2026 outlook may point toward fewer storms overall, emergency managers continue to emphasize preparedness rather than prediction.
For Harris County residents, the beginning of hurricane season serves as an annual reminder that preparation is most effective before a storm appears on the forecast map.
Additional preparedness resources, evacuation information, and emergency planning tools are available at ReadyHarris.org.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for ongoing hurricane season updates, preparedness information, and local emergency management announcements throughout the 2026 season.
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.
