TDEM Urges Texans to Engage in Personal Preparedness this Hurricane Season
AUSTIN — With hurricane season underway, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) hosted a hurricane exercise this week with participation from local, state, and federal partners from across Texas.
The multi-day exercise, drew participation from state agencies, dozens of local entities, and partner organizations.
This annual effort, intended to affirm proper readiness in coordination between all levels of government and a variety of emergency response organizations when a major hurricane impacts the Texas Gulf Coast, was conducted at the Texas State Operations Center (SOC) in Austin, as well as Disaster District Emergency Operations Centers throughout the state.
More than 1,500 emergency responders participated at the local and state level through in-person and virtual seminars covering topics such as search and rescue operations, mass sheltering, public information dissemination, state legislative statutes, disaster reimbursement, debris management, damage reporting, grants management, roles and responsibilities, and hazard mitigation.
This annual hurricane exercise is planned for months by experts in the emergency preparedness field and hosted by TDEM in conjunction with the Texas Emergency Management Council, with the support of other partners such as the National Weather Service and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“This valuable opportunity to maintain the readiness of TDEM and our partners for hurricane season is key to our ability to swiftly respond when a major hurricane impacts Texas,” said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. “While state agencies and our partners in Texas communities review integral plans to enhance our preparedness capabilities, Texans are encouraged to proactively prepare for the effects of hurricane season before the next disaster strikes.”
“The state’s annual hurricane exercise requires enormous collaboration and efficient communication between emergency management partners,” said Seth Christensen, Chief of Media, Communications, and Preparedness at TDEM. “Before the next big storm reaches Texas shores, Texans are urged to make preparedness a priority and plan ahead.”
TDEM reminds Texans to stay informed, monitor local weather forecasts, follow directions from local officials, make an emergency plan, review hurricane evacuation routes, build a kit containing emergency supplies, and consider reviewing flood risk and insurance coverage.
2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season began on June 1 and runs through November 30.
Texans are encouraged to visit the Texas Hurricane Center at gov.texas.gov/hurricane and ready.gov/hurricanes for preparedness resources and safety tips. Additional safety information is available at TexasReady.gov. Preparedness tips can be found at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.
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