Texas Coastal Hurricanes

Chambers, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton and Orange Counties

Every two to three years hurricanes or tropical storms make landfall or cause damage to the Texas coast. Hurricanes range in size and intensity, and the accompanying high winds, storm surge, rainfall, and tornadoes have caused varying amounts of deaths and property damage. The well-known 1900 Galveston hurricane killed 6,000 plus people and damaged $30 to $40 million worth of property. In contrast, 1983's Hurricane Alicia caused at least 21 storm-related deaths statewide and around $1 billion in property damage in the Galveston area.

Each year on average, ten tropical storms (of which six become hurricanes) develop over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico. Many of these remain over the ocean. However, about five hurricanes strike the United States coastline every 3 years. Of these five, two will be major hurricanes (category 3 or greater on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.)

The increase in damage is a result of inflation and the density of development along the Texas coast, while the decrease in deaths is the result of a better understanding of hurricanes and improved warning systems.

Despite the decrease in deaths, we cannot afford to take the hurricane threat casually. Today, with an increase in coastal population and development and penetration of natural barriers like sand dunes, a great potential exists for enormous loss of life and property.

While there are no sure ways to predict where and when a hurricane will come ashore, your local emergency management personnel, in coordination with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, have access to information that can help local officials make effective decisions in crisis situations. Persons in non-incorporated areas receive evacuation recommendations from their county government. Their municipal governments advise persons in incorporated areas.

What does this mean to you? It means that if an evacuation is recommended for your area, you have a better chance of reaching safe ground before roads become blocked if you follow the advice of your local officials.

Are You in a Danger Zone?

Included on this page is a map that identifies the risk areas that could be affected by hurricane hazards (wind and/or storm surge). Also included is a chart that shows the time needed for evacuation of people in each risk area.

The map is divided into five risk areas. Each risk area corresponds to the conditions associated with one of the five categories of hurricanes. These categories are defined by the Saffir/Simpson Scale, which is also shown on the map.

Risk area one is the most vulnerable area in any category hurricane because it is nearest the coast and will be affected by any storm. The stronger a storm is (i.e., the higher the category number), the further inland its effects will reach. The color band for risk area five shows how far inland the effects of a category five storm will reach.

The risk areas are labeled by county (e.g., "01" indicates risk area 1 in Orange County) and, in some cases, have been further divided into sectors ("01a and "01b") to more accurately reflect traffic flow and evacuation times.

To use the map, find the risk area where you live and its area label ("L2", "Cla", etc.). Then find the label on the chart to check how many hours it could take to evacuate your family to a safe area.

Remember, evacuation routes can be closed by high winds and water many hours before a hurricane makes landfall.

Another important thing to remember is that rainfall and local drainage conditions can flood evacuation routes quickly. If you can leave early, do so. Otherwise, wait until local officials recommend evacuation of your area, and then leave promptly.

During a "hurricane watch", listen to your radio or TV constantly. The Emergency Alert Station (EAS) for the Sabine Lake area is KLVI (560 AM) in Beaumont. During severe weather, forecasters can interrupt routine broadcasts to give special warning messages. For 24-hour per day weather broadcasts from the National Weather Service, tune in to the high-band FM frequency 162.475 megahertz (MHZ) from Beaumont. KFDM, Channel 6, television station will be available for information and may be heard on 87.7 FM.

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Hurricane Survival Tips

When Officials Recommend an Evacuation:

• Coordinate your departure with the people who will be traveling with you.
• Notify an out-of-area person of your evacuation plans.
• Secure your home.
• Pack your disaster supplies kit into your vehicle.
• Double-check your evacuation route and leave.

Who Should Plan to Leave Early:

• Residents in low-lying areas.
• Persons who live in manufactured housing
• Persons with special needs - including health or mobility-related concerns

Secure Your Home:

• Turn off gas, water, and electricity
• Board up windows
• Draw drapes across windows
• Brace garage doors
• Bring in outdoor furniture and other loose objects; anchor those items you cannot bring inside
• Place boats on trailers; locate near home; and fill boats with water.
• Lock all windows and doors