There are now two disturbances in the Atlantic to keep an eye on. At this point there is a low chance of development but stay tuned as we will post updates as they are received.
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Tracking the Tropics
As drained as everyone is remember we are still in hurricane season. There is a disturbance off the coast of Africa to keep an eye on.
***Tropical Storm Warning*** 08/25/2020
***Tropical Storm Warning*** Fort Bend County has been placed in a Tropical Storm Warning. This means tropical storm conditions are expected within the county within the next 36 hours. Sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are expected within the county.
Evacuation Reminders for Fort Bend County
Mandatory Evacuation Zones are established based on the threat of flooding due to storm surge. Since Fort Bend County is not at risk for storm surge, the County will not be part of the mandatory evacuation of coastal communities.
Fort Bend County has been designated by the State of Texas as a “Pass-through” County. This means that coastal communities who are designated as “Evacuation” counties will pass through Fort Bend County along designated evacuation routes to designated “Shelter” counties. The designated evacuation routes through Fort Bend County are State Highway 6 and State Highway 36.
Should I evacuate?
Unless there is a threat so great to Fort Bend County that damage from the hurricane will be strong enough to cause major damage to the majority of structures in the County, Fort Bend County will only order a voluntary evacuation, meaning if you want to leave, you should do so.
A voluntary evacuation should be considered mandatory if:
- You live in a low-lying area that has a history of flooding.
- You live in a structure that is unable to withstand winds of greater than 75 miles per hour (such as a manufactured housing or housing that is significantly older.
- You are unable to be without electricity for an extended period of time.
If I decide to evacuate, where should I go?
It is understood that the majority of Texans will choose to evacuate to hotels or relatives outside of the areas at risk. However, for those who have nowhere to go, the State of Texas has developed a State Evacuation and Sheltering plan where individuals who evacuate can stay in shelters at designated communities who have developed plans to shelter large populations in a shelter hub system. Evacuees will enter the host county and will then register at a Reception Center and then be assigned to a specific shelter in the community that will meet their needs.
If you do not feel safe in your home, Fort Bend County OEM strongly encourages you to leave and evacuate to one of the shelter hub communities. There are plans in place to open shelters of last resort in Fort Bend County, mainly for individuals stranded on the evacuation routes. These shelters of last resort will not be announced until approximately 10 hours prior to expected tropical storm-force winds affecting the county. All persons who are utilizing a shelter of last resort are expected to bring their own food, water, blanket, and cots, since these shelters are for weathering the storm only. There are no guarantees that these shelters will be open in the County, so we again encourage you to evacuate if you require a safe place to weather the storm.
What if I have functional access needs?
Special needs people include those who are disabled, ill, or on a low income with no transportation- anyone who needs assistance if they are to evacuate. Even though Fort Bend County is not within a mandatory evacuation zone, residents are still eligible for evacuation transportation assistance. Emergency Management Departments are collecting information on those who will need assistance evacuating. Please register your information with 2-1-1 so we know who you are.
Click on the following links to access helpful information from the State of Texas Governor’s Division of Emergency Management
Emergency Preparedness Kits for those with Special Needs
Preparing for Emergencies with Special Needs Individuals
Governor Abbott Holds Briefing, Press Conference On Hurricane Marco And Tropical Storm Laura, Requests Federal Emergency Declaration
**This is for information related to Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura. Fort Bend County is NOT under a Disaster Declaration at this time.**
Issues State Disaster Declaration For 23 Counties
Governor Greg Abbott today held a press conference at the Alternate State Operations Center in Austin where he provided an update on the state’s response to Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura, both of which are forecast to impact parts of the Texas Coast and East Texas in the coming days. Prior to the press conference, the Governor received a briefing from the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), as well as an update on response and preparedness efforts from state agency directors and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The Governor also announced that he has issued a state disaster declaration and has requested an Emergency Declaration from President Trump and FEMA for Public Assistance Category B (Emergency Protective Measures), Direct Federal Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation statewide. Counties included in the state disaster declaration are Aransas, Bexar, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, and Willacy.
“As Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura approach Texas, the state is taking necessary precautions to protect our communities and keep Texans safe,” said Governor Abbott. “I urge Texans in the path of these storms to plan ahead and heed the guidance of their local officials. The State of Texas is working with local and federal partners to monitor these storms and provide the resources our communities need to respond.”
Hurricane Marco is expected to make landfall in Louisiana on Monday before moving towards Texas on Tuesday evening as a depression. This hurricane is expected to bring heavy rain and tropical storm force winds to the Texas Coast and Southeast Texas as it approaches the state. Tropical Storm Laura is forecast to become a Hurricane on Tuesday, and this storm is expected to make landfall anywhere over Southeast Texas or Louisiana early Thursday. Wind, heavy rain, and storm surges are expected on Wednesday as Tropical Storm Laura enters the Gulf.
TDEM has rostered the following resources in preparation to support request from local officials:
Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw Crews and Incident Management Teams
Texas A&M Engineering and Extension Service: Texas A&M Task Force One and Two Search and Rescue Teams
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Boat Teams to support Water Rescue Operations
Texas Military Department: Helicopters, sheltering teams, disinfecting teams, mobile testing teams, and High Profile Vehicle packages
Texas Department of State Health Services: Emergency Medical Task Force severe weather packages and Ambulance Strike Teams
Texas Department of Transportation: High Profile Vehicles
Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Highway Patrol: Search and Rescue Aircraft with hoist capability and the Tactical Marine Unit
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality are also assisting in response efforts. The Alamo Regional Command Center has been activated in San Antonio to support staging of resources that have been rostered by the State of Texas. TDEM has secured fuel, hygiene, and shelter resources and more.
Texans are urged to follow these flood preparedness and safety tips during severe weather events:
Know types of flood risk in your area. Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center for information here: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home
Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
Build an emergency supply kit. For more information on how to build a kit, visit: https://www.ready.gov/kit
Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies.
Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.
Be extremely cautious of any water on roads or in creeks, streams, storm drains, or other areas – never attempt to cross flowing streams or drive across flooded roadways and always observe road barricades placed for your protection. Remember, Turn Around Don’t Drown.
Be extremely cautious of any water on roads or in creeks, streams, storm drains, or other areas – never attempt to cross flowing streams or drive across flooded roadways and always observe road barricades placed for your protection. Remember, Turn Around Don’t Drown.
For more flood safety tips, visit gov.texas.gov/hurricane.
Governor Abbott’s Disaster Declaration:
Inclement Weather 04/03/2020
There is an upper level disturbance moving into our area later this afternoon and evening. Even though our area is at a marginal to slight risk, we just want to be sure everyone is aware of the changes that are occurring.
