Living in Southeast Texas brings the advantage of tight-knit neighborhoods, incredible local businesses, and community roots that run deep. However, our proximity to the Gulf Coast also means facing the recurring reality of powerful tropical cyclones, severe weather systems, and sudden inland flooding.

Whether moving to the area for the first time or having lived here for decades, understanding local risks and preparing before disaster strikes is the best way to protect loved ones. Preparation isn’t about living in fear; it’s about taking control before a storm ever reaches the horizon.

This comprehensive guide tailored for residents in Montgomery County outlines how to build emergency plans, stay connected through local alert systems, assemble supplies, and get involved in community response efforts.

2026 Hurricane Predictions: What to Expect This Year

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is projected to see slightly below-average activity, primarily driven by a developing atmospheric tug-of-war. According to the benchmark seasonal outlook released by Colorado State University (CSU), the nation's preeminent academic authority on tropical storm forecasting, researchers anticipate a transition from weak La Niña conditions into a moderate-to-strong El Niño pattern by the peak of the season.

While ocean temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico and the western tropical Atlantic remain warmer than normal—providing ample fuel for storm development—the emerging El Niño is expected to produce high vertical wind shear.This strong upper-level wind shear acts as a disruptive force, tearing apart tropical systems before they can organize or intensify.

2026 Atlantic Basin Forecast Numbers

The CSU forecast projects overall basin activity to sit at approximately 75% of the long-term historical average:

• Named Storms: 13 (Compared to a 14.4 average)
• Hurricanes: 6 (Compared to a 7.2 average)
• Major Hurricanes (Cat 3+): 2 (Compared to a 3.2 average)
• Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE): 90 (Compared to a 123 average)

Implications for Southeast Texas and the Gulf Coast

For Greater Houston and the broader Southeast Texas coastline, a below-average basin forecast does not equate to a lower localized risk.Because the Gulf of Mexico maintains above-average sea surface temperatures, any storm that manages to overcome the El Niño wind shear will have access to highly favorable conditions for rapid intensification close to land.

CSU’s model places the probability of at least one major hurricane making landfall anywhere along the U.S. Gulf Coast (from the Florida Panhandle westward to Brownsville) at 20%, compared to the long-term historical average of 27%.

Local meteorologists frequently point to the 1983 season as a historical parallel for Southeast Texas. Driven by a similar strong El Niño, 1983 produced only four named storms the entire year—making it the quietest season of the satellite era. However, one of those few storms was Hurricane Alicia, a Category 3 system that made landfall near Galveston and caused widespread destruction across the Houston area. The atmospheric setup for 2026 serves as a reminder that overall basin numbers do not predict tracking, and it takes only one landfalling system to create an impactful season.

Step 1: Stay Informed with Alert MCTX & Local Updates

When severe weather or localized emergencies occur, receiving accurate, real-time information is critical. Montgomery County utilizes AlertMCTX, the official emergency notification system managed by Montgomery County 9-1-1 and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (MCOHSEM).

What is AlertMCTX?

This system delivers mass notifications regarding immediate emergencies—such as evacuation orders, "shelter in place" directions for hazardous material spills or major gas leaks, weather emergencies, power outages, or localized safety alerts like a missing child or a dangerous individual in the area. Notifications are sent via:

• Home phone calls (landlines)
• Text messages
• Direct emails

Why Registering Your Number is Necessary

Public safety agencies automatically have the authority to route alerts to all known traditional landlines and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) numbers, including confidential listings. However, because modern communication technology lacks a single centralized database for mobile phones, cell phone numbers and certain digital phone services are not automatically included. To ensure messages arrive on a mobile device, residents must manually register their details online.

• Where to Sign Up: Register your cell phone and email address at the Smart911 Registration Landing Page.
• Cost: The system is funded entirely by the Montgomery County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District, making registration completely free for residents.

What to Do When an Alert Arrives

• Listen or Read Carefully: Read or listen to the entire message without hanging up early, or vital instructions may be missed.
• Follow Instructions Exactly: The alert may direct you to a specific commercial television or radio station for deeper emergency details.
• Keep 9-1-1 Lines Clear: Do not call 9-1-1 to ask for general information or updates after receiving an alert. Only call 9-1-1 if experiencing a direct, immediate life-threatening emergency. Tying up phone lines prevents dispatchers from handling critical calls.
• Utilize Backup Methods: No single system reaches everyone. Supplement AlertMCTX by monitoring local television and radio stations, checking official county social media channels, and keeping a NOAA Weather Radio on hand.

For general inquiries regarding the notification system, contact the Montgomery County Emergency Communications District at 936-523-5911. 

Step 2: Understand the True Reality of Hurricanes and Floods

The Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (MCOHSEM) works to coordinate regional, state, federal, and non-profit resources to minimize the impact of hazards. However, true community resilience begins at home. Surviving an emergency depends heavily on having a personal strategy well before a storm forms.

Wind vs. Water: The Hidden Danger

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hurricanes are massive low-pressure systems driven by warm ocean waters, featuring counter-clockwise closed circulation winds revolving around a calm "eye." While tropical cyclones are classified by wind speed via the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, wind speeds only tell part of the story:

• Tropical Depressions: Winds less than 39 mph
• Tropical Storms: Winds between 39 and 73 mph
• Hurricanes (Category 1 & 2): Winds 74 mph or greater
• Major Hurricanes (Category 3, 4, & 5): Winds from 111 mph to over 180 mph

While high winds cause notable structural damage, water hazards—specifically storm surge and inland flooding—are historically the leading cause of hurricane-related fatalities in the United States.Storm surge happens when powerful winds push massive amounts of ocean water ashore, inundating low-lying coastal areas. Because much of the Gulf Coast sits less than 10 feet above mean sea level, this surge creates catastrophic risks that travel far inland.

Heavy Rainfall and Inland Flooding

Warm tropical air holds immense amounts of moisture. As a storm moves inland, this moisture condenses into prolonged, torrential rainfall. This can cause severe freshwater flooding in areas miles away from the coast, turning dry neighborhoods into waterways for days or weeks after the initial winds die down.

Flooding is the most common natural disaster across the nation. It can develop gradually from steady rain or hit instantly as a flash flood without warning.

Remember the Golden Rule: Run from the water, hide from the wind. If rising waters threaten the area, move immediately to higher ground. If high winds strike without flooding risks, shelter in place within a sturdy interior room, away from windows and glass doors.

Step 3: Create and Practice a Household Plan

Disasters rarely happen at a convenient moment, and family members may not be together when a storm hits. Sitting down with your household to establish an emergency plan ensures everyone knows how to react and reconnect.

1. Discuss the Core Questions

• How will we receive emergency alerts and weather warnings?
• What is our specific shelter-in-place plan for high winds or tornadic activity?
• What are our primary and secondary evacuation routes out of the neighborhood?
• What is our family communication plan if local cell towers are overloaded? (Establish a designated out-of-town relative or friend everyone can text if separated).
• Where is our designated household meeting place right outside the neighborhood?

2. Assess Unique Household Needs

Tailor emergency planning to the specific daily living requirements of family members. Consider:

• Medical Needs: Track daily prescriptions, vitamins, extra eyeglasses, contact solutions, and specialized medical equipment.
• Infants and Children: Account for formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, and comforting items.
• Functional/Access Needs: Plan around mobility devices, dietary restrictions, or language barriers.
• Important Documents: Keep up-to-date insurance policies, deeds, medical records, and physical identifications inside a secure, portable, waterproof container. It is also wise to save password-protected digital copies in a secure cloud drive.
• Home Maintenance: Keep roof gutters and neighborhood street drains clear of debris. Consider installing check valves or a battery-backup sump pump to handle heavy rainfall.

3. Act Quickly During a Storm

• Evacuate Safely: If local officials issue a mandatory evacuation order, leave immediately. Evacuation routes are timed carefully to move residents out of harm's way before floodwaters rise or debris blocks the roads.
• Never Drive Through Floodwaters: Turn Around, Don’t Drown!Just six inches of fast-moving water can easily sweep a person off their feet, and a single foot of moving water can carry away a vehicle. Avoid bridges spanning fast-moving water, as currents can undermine the structure hidden beneath the surface.
• Building Traps: If rising floodwaters trap you inside a building, move to the highest floor. Do not climb into a closed attic. If water continues to rise, you can become trapped inside the ceiling with no escape route. Only move onto the roof if absolutely necessary, and clearly signal for help.

Step 4: Assemble and Maintain Your Disaster Kits

Following a severe tropical storm or flood, standard utilities may fail, and professional emergency response teams could be delayed. Households should be prepared to manage independently for several days.

Basic Emergency Supply Kit Checklist

Keep items organized in airtight plastic bags and stored inside one or two durable, easy-to-carry containers (such as plastic bins or duffel bags) in a designated, easily accessible spot:

• Water: One gallon of water per person, per day, for at least several days (allocated for both drinking and sanitation).
• Food: At least a several-day supply of non-perishable, shelf-stable items.
• Manual Can Opener: To access canned goods without electricity.
• Radio: A battery-powered or hand-crank radio, including a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alerts, along with plenty of extra batteries.
• Lighting & Tools: A reliable flashlight, extra batteries, a non-sparking wrench or pliers to turn off residential utilities, scissors, duct tape, and local paper maps.
• Sanitation & Safety: A first aid kit, a whistle to signal for help, dust masks to filter contaminated air, plastic sheeting for sheltering in place, moist towelettes, heavy-duty garbage bags, and plastic ties.
• Tech Essentials: Fully charged cell phones, charging cables, and high-capacity portable backup batteries.

Additional Items to Personalize Your Kit

• Cash or traveler's checks (ATMs and credit card terminals may be down without power).
• Fire extinguisher and matches kept in a waterproof container.
• Basic comfort supplies: sleeping bags or warm blankets for each individual, a complete change of seasonal clothing, and sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
• Personal hygiene items, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfecting wipes.
• Mess kits, paper cups, paper plates, paper towels, and disposable plastic utensils.
• Paper and pencils, along with books, puzzles, or offline games to keep children occupied.

Maintaining and Storing Kits

Review supplies annually as family dynamics change. Keep canned goods in cool, dry areas and store boxed food in tightly sealed metal or plastic containers to prevent pest damage. Promptly replace any expired food, water, or medications.

Because emergencies can happen anywhere, consider creating smaller portable kits for multiple locations:

• Home Kit: The primary, comprehensive kit kept ready for immediate evacuation or prolonged sheltering.
• Work Kit: A compact "grab-and-go" case containing food, water, walking shoes, and necessary medications to sustain you for at least 24 hours if stuck at the workplace.
• Vehicle Kit: A baseline set of emergency tools, water, and flashlights kept in the trunk in case you become stranded on the road.

Step 5: Protect Four-Legged Family Members

Pets rely entirely on their owners for protection during a crisis. Including animals in household disaster planning prevents panic and keeps the entire family safe.

Pet Emergency Planning

• Never Leave Pets Behind: If local officials order an evacuation, take your animals with you. Pets left behind can easily become trapped, injured, or permanently lost.
• Map Pet-Friendly Locations: Many standard public disaster shelters and hotels cannot accommodate animals due to health regulations. Research pet-friendly hotels, boarding facilities, or veterinary clinics located along evacuation routes well ahead of time.
• Establish a Buddy System: Coordinate a plan with close neighbors or nearby relatives to check on or evacuate your pets if a storm hits while you are away from home.
• Microchips and Tags: Ensure pets wear secure collars with up-to-date ID tags. Ensure your contact information is updated with the microchip registry, and list an alternative emergency contact who lives outside the immediate region.
• Bring Pets Indoors: Move all household animals inside the home at the very first sign or official warning of an approaching storm.

Building a Pet Survival Kit

Prepare a lightweight, accessible bag specifically for your pet's survival needs, reviewing contents regularly for freshness:

• Food & Water: A several-day supply of regular pet food kept in an airtight, waterproof container, along with portable bowls and fresh water.
• Medications: An extra supply of routine veterinary prescriptions stored securely in a waterproof container.
• Leash & Travel Gear: A sturdy collar, backup leash, harness, and an individual traveling bag, crate, or carrier for each pet.
• Sanitation Supplies: Pet litter, a portable litter box, newspapers, paper towels, plastic waste disposal bags, and standard liquid household chlorine bleach for sanitation.
• Comfort & Documentation: A recent photograph of you holding your pet (to establish proof of ownership if separated), veterinary health records, registration documents, favorite toys, and familiar bedding to help minimize animal anxiety.

Preparing Pets for Travel

Being forced into a small travel carrier during a loud storm can cause immense stress for animals. To make the process smoother, leave pet carriers open in highly frequented areas of the home on regular days. Feed your pets treats near or inside the carrier so they associate it with positive experiences, and place a familiar blanket inside so it carries a recognizable scent. Pay close attention to where your pets hide when frightened so you can locate them quickly during an immediate evacuation.

Tips for Managing Large Animals

For properties housing large animals such as horses, goats, or pigs, early preparation is essential. Ensure every animal has clear, weather-resistant identification attached to them.

Whenever possible, evacuate large animals early to avoid heavy traffic and severe weather hazards. Map out primary and secondary transport routes in advance, and confirm that your destination has proper food, water, handling equipment, and available veterinary care. Ensure trailers and experienced handlers are ready to deploy before conditions deteriorate.

Step 6: Involve Kids and Teens in Preparedness

Preparing for emergencies can feel overwhelming, but involving children and teenagers builds confidence and reduces anxiety. When young people understand what to expect, they feel empowered rather than fearful.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides free interactive tools, educational games, and planning templates designed specifically for families through its Ready Kids initiative. These resources cater to different age groups to make emergency preparedness approachable:

• For Kids: Children can play interactive educational games, learn the science behind different natural disasters, and discover simple, actionable safety tips at Ready Kids for Kids.
• For Teens: Teenagers can take on leadership roles within household planning, learn basic emergency skills, and help organize neighborhood awareness projects via Ready Kids for Teens.
• For Families: Parents and guardians can access family-centered templates to build cohesive communication plans together at Ready Kids for Families.
• For Educators: Teachers, youth leaders, and local community groups can utilize structured disaster planning curriculums and post-disaster recovery guides at Ready Kids for Educators.

Step 7: Post-Storm Safety and Cleanup

The dangers of a tropical cyclone or major flood do not vanish once the skies clear and floodwaters begin to recede. Statistically, a significant number of injuries and fatalities occur after a storm passes due to cleanup accidents, electrical issues, and improper equipment use.

Safe Cleanup Practices

• Wear Protective Gear: Always wear heavy work gloves, sturdy boots, and long-sleeved clothing during debris removal. Use proper face coverings or dust masks (such as N95 respirators) if handling materials affected by mold.
• Vulnerable Health Considerations: Individuals with asthma, chronic lung conditions, or compromised immune systems should not enter buildings with active indoor water leaks or visible mold growth. Children should never participate in disaster cleanup work.
• Watch for Wildlife: Displaced wildlife, including snakes and rodents, frequently seek high ground inside flooded structures. Use caution when opening doors, clearing closets, or moving debris.

Electrical and Structural Hazards

• Avoid Standing Floodwater: Do not wade through standing water outside or inside buildings. Floodwaters can mask sharp debris, hazardous chemicals, raw sewage, and dangerous pathogens. Furthermore, downed or underground power lines can electrically charge standing water, creating a severe risk of electrocution.
• Handle Electrical Equipment Safely: Never touch electrical appliances, breaker boxes, or outlets if they are wet or if you are standing in water. If it is entirely safe to do so, turn off the electricity at the main breaker box to prevent electrical shocks.
• Document Damage: Take detailed photographs and videos of all structural and property damage before starting cleanup efforts. Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to file claims.

Generator and Communication Safety

• Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Never operate a portable gasoline-powered generator, pressure washer, or fuel-burning machinery inside a home, garage, attic, or crawlspace. Generators must only be used outdoors, placed far away from open windows, doors, and air intake vents to prevent toxic carbon monoxide fumes from entering the home.
• Keep Phone Lines Clear: Telephone networks are often congested or damaged after a disaster. Save direct voice calls for life-threatening emergencies. Use text messaging or social media updates to communicate safety status with family and friends, keeping bandwidth clear for emergency personnel.

Step 8: Serve the Community Through Volunteerism

True disaster resilience relies heavily on a community's capacity to pull together and support one another when formal infrastructure faces heavy strain. Montgomery County provides structured pathways for citizens to train, volunteer, and assist emergency services.

Respond MCTX: Coordinated Post-Disaster Service

During a major disaster, rapid response and recovery actions are vital to stabilizing a community. Respond MCTX provides a coordinated, facilitated approach for individual citizens and community organizations to volunteer and serve Montgomery County after a disaster strikes.

Building a robust local volunteer base across various sectors ensures the county responds effectively, efficiently, and equitably to those in greatest need. Because Montgomery County is responsible for mass care operations during and after emergencies, it partners with local groups and agencies to run a streamlined recovery network. Operating under this unified mass care approach maximizes available resources and prevents duplication of effort, ensuring food, shelter, and medical care reach families quickly.

Montgomery County CERT Program

For individuals wanting to build practical response skills before an emergency occurs, the Montgomery County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program offers specialized training. Developed to create a capable, structured civilian emergency workforce, the CERT program fosters community self-sufficiency through multifunctional response teams.

• The Role of CERT Members: During major disasters, CERT teams serve as an invaluable adjunct to the county’s professional emergency services. If a natural or man-made crisis overwhelms or delays traditional first responders, CERT members step in to apply basic medical, organizational, and response skills to save and sustain lives until professional help arrives.
• Non-Emergency Support: Beyond disaster response, CERT members volunteer for community projects that improve localized preparedness, safety, and public awareness.
• Training Program Structure: The basic CERT training program is a 20-hour course, typically held one evening per week over an 8-week period. The training sessions cover a wide range of essential safety disciplines, including:
  • Disaster preparedness strategies
  • Basic fire suppression and safety
  • Basic disaster medical operations and triage
  • Light search and rescue operations
  • Disaster psychology and victim care
  • Team organization and incident command structures
  • Terrorism awareness

Taking a few simple steps today—like registering for emergency notifications, mapping out a family plan, and connecting with local volunteer networks—ensures that our local neighborhoods stay safe and resilient through whatever the season brings.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

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.