It’s Time To Prepare For Hurricane Season

The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season is almost here. Now is the best time to get ready for a potential hurricane before the start of the hurricane season on June 1. The peak locally is August through October, but the season runs through November 30. In the event of a hurricane impacting the Texas Gulf Coast and our campus, Texas A&M University at Galveston is prepared to respond in accordance with our hurricane plans. The university closely monitors weather conditions and, if necessary, will implement the evacuation procedure. The actions the university takes will depend on the predicted severity of the storm with safety as the top priority. Get up-to-date information about campus by signing up for Sea Aggie Alerts, which include emails and texts about emergency disruptions such as severe weather. Notifications about evacuation, including when it is safe to return, and other emergency storm preparations will be sent through Sea Aggie Alert. You can also take additional steps to further prepare yourself for hurricane season: Make A Plan Storms can form and change direction unexpectedly, but you can stay prepared by discussing the following and making a plan:

• How will you receive emergency alerts and warnings?
• What is your shelter plan?
• What is your evacuation route?
• Do you need to update your emergency supply kit?

When making your plan, discuss your and your household’s specific needs and responsibilities so you can assist each other. University resources like the evacuation procedure can serve as a guideline for your plan and give you a better idea of what to expect in case of evacuation. Students who live on campus will be evacuated to College Station. Build An Emergency Supply Kit Your emergency supply kit should include items such as non-perishable foods, drinking water, flashlights, a portable radio, a supply of medications, pillows and bedding, pet items, and electronics chargers. Remember that these supplies should be enough to sustain you for at least 72 hours, as it will take time for local disaster responders to reach everyone. Assemble this kit before an emergency, as you may have to evacuate suddenly and will want these essentials with you. In the case of evacuation, students should bring the things they need to support their coursework if the campus closes, as well as their university ID card and any other forms of identification they might need. Stay Informed For alerts specifically regarding our campus, sign up for Sea Aggie Alerts. For accurate and timely alerts about weather and hurricanes affecting Galveston, follow the City of Galveston Office of Emergency Management, Galveston County’s Office of Emergency Management, and the National Weather Service Houston-Galveston. Safety remains paramount at the Galveston Campus. Be prepared for hurricane season by familiarizing yourself with campus evacuation procedures, having a plan in place to receive information, and making sure you have the essentials you’ll need in case of a storm.