AUSTIN — Today Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is encouraging all Texans to prepare for potential tropical storm conditions along the coast. There is a high degree of uncertainty as to the storm’s path and impacts; therefore, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) is warning all coastal Texans to be prepared.

“A severe storm system with the potential to bring flash flooding threats and heavy rain is expected to impact the Gulf Coast this week,” Commissioner Buckingham said. “The GLO is proud to help communities recover from natural disasters, but proper preparation is vital to keeping your family and your home safe. Download the GLO’s Disaster Evacuation Checklist to learn how to be prepared for emergency situations.”

The GLO encourages all Texans to prepare for hurricane season by doing the following:

• Know Your Risk - Sign up for your community’s emergency warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
• Download the GLO’s Disaster Evacuation Checklist – Learn how to build an evacuation kit – or “go bag” – and be prepared for emergency situations.
• Pack a “Go Bag” – Include items you need to take with you if you evacuate. A “go bag” should be easy to carry and kept in a place where you can grab it quickly.
• Make an Evacuation Plan - Check with local officials about updated evacuation shelters for this year. To find a shelter near you, download the FEMA app at fema.gov/mobile-app. Know where your family will meet up if you are separated and where you will stay.  Check with drivetexas.org to find routes near you.
• Gather Supplies - Plan for your entire household including children, people with disabilities or access/functional needs, and pets.
• Secure Documents - Remember to secure copies of important personal documents. Filing for government assistance requires documentation. Be sure to keep documents in a secure location and take them with you if you need to evacuate. Place these documents in a waterproof bag and back them up on cloud storage or a thumb drive.

Protect Your Property - Shutter your home as needed, review your flood insurance policy (or sign up for one), and declutter drains and gutters. Most homeowner and renter insurance policies do not cover flood damage. A flood insurance policy generally does not take effect until 30 days after purchase, so be sure to maintain your policy. Take a video “tour” of your home to document all items and the home’s current condition.

The GLO works with local communities to encourage all Texans to protect their families and homes from natural disasters. For more disaster preparedness tips, Texans can follow the GLO on social media (X, Instagram, and Facebook), watch video preparedness tips, and find resources for family and pets at recovery.texas.gov/preparedness.