AUSTIN — Land Commissioner George P. Bush held a webinar June 1 for local elected officials in Texas with information to help constituents be prepared for the 2020 Hurricane Season. Commissioner Bush informed local leaders of the work the General Land Office (GLO) is doing to help communities prepare for future storms, recover from previous disaster events and mitigate against future damage. Local officials heard from Dr. Gerry Bell, lead seasonal forecaster with NOAA Climate Prediction Center, on what to expect from the 2020 Hurricane Season, which began Jun 1. Officials were also provided links to valuable disaster preparedness resources and contact information for agencies active in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. The webinar can be viewed at recovery.texas.gov/preparedness.

"Experts anticipate an above-average season with 13-19 named storms, including 6-10 hurricanes, 3-6 of which are expected to be major," said Commissioner Bush. "There have been 17 Presidential Disaster Declarations issued for Texas in the past 10 years. Texas has experienced more than its fair share of natural disasters. In preparing for the hurricane season, we continue to promote open communication with our municipal, county, and regional leaders because the most effective response and recovery begins at the local level."

GLO staff has and will continue to conduct training and outreach throughout the state, focusing on pre- and post-disaster recovery planning. The GLO encourages all jurisdictions to participate in training for disaster recovery planning.

The GLO is also encouraging Texans to:

1. Maintain adequate levels of renter or flood insurance (which typically includes a 30-day waiting period before going into effect), even if you do not live in a flood plain;
2. Safeguard important personal documents such as birth certificates, deeds or insurance policies; and
3. Keep emergency supplies like bottled water and canned food on hand.

In the wake of Hurricanes Ike, Dolly, Rita, and Harvey, Bastrop wildfires, 2015-16 floods, and Tropical Storm Imelda, Texas made great strides to improve disaster preparation. The GLO provides resources to assist communities as we prepare for the hurricane season and other hazardous events.

Additional helpful resources are available at the following websites:

• Department of Homeland Security https://www.ready.gov
• Federal Emergency Management Agency https://www.fema.gov
• The United States Coast Guard http://www.uscgboating.org
• American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org
• Texas Division of Emergency Management https://tdem.texas.gov
• Texas A&M Forest Service http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu
• National Flood Insurance Program http://www.floodsmart.gov
• Texas Department of Insurance http://www.tdi.texas.gov
• Small Business Administration https://www.sba.gov
• Texas General Land Office https://recovery.texas.gov

"I am honored to support and work alongside our Texas communities to prepare and respond to whatever comes our way," said Commissioner Bush. "The economic health of our communities depends upon the steps we take to build resilience. Working together we can be better prepared for Texas' unpredictable weather."