For Beaumont & Southeast Texas Residents
Hurricane Risks in Our Area: Why Preparation Matters
In Beaumont and surrounding communities, hurricane season isn’t just a distant threat—it’s a part of life. With our location near the Gulf Coast, we face risks from tropical storms, hurricanes, and extended power outages. While some families may need to evacuate, many residents in Jefferson, Hardin, Orange, Chambers, and Liberty counties will shelter in place. Preparing your home and household now can make a big difference when the next storm arrives.
Sheltering in Place: What to Expect and How to Prepare
For most households, sheltering in place means staying home for several days, sometimes without electricity, internet, or running water. Preparing early helps keep your family safe and comfortable.
Tips to prepare your home:
- Turn your fridge and freezer to the coldest settings
- Fill bathtubs or containers with water for flushing toilets or cleaning
- Charge all phones, backup batteries, and medical devices
- Secure outdoor items like furniture, grills, and tools
- Move valuables and electronics away from windows and off the floor
Stock up on essential supplies:
- Drinking water (1 gallon per person per day)
- Shelf-stable foods that don’t require cooking
- Flashlights, batteries, and battery-powered fans
- Prescription medications and medical supplies
- First aid kit, hygiene products, and trash bags
- Ice packs and a cooler for temperature-sensitive medicine
- Battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio
If you have children, set aside books, puzzles, or quiet games to pass the time indoors.
When Evacuation is Necessary: Plan Ahead
While sheltering is typical for most storms, some areas—especially those near the Neches River, Sabine Lake, or the coast—may face mandatory evacuations. It’s critical to plan ahead so you can leave quickly and safely if needed.
Steps to take now:
- Review evacuation routes: TxDOT Hurricane Evacuation Routes
- Check local emergency management for alerts and zone-specific guidance:
- Jefferson County: jeffersoncountytx.gov/em.htm
- Hardin County: co.hardin.tx.us/page/EM
- Orange County: orangetexas.gov/Emergency-Management
- Chambers County: chamberscountytx.gov/Emergency-Management
- Identify two or more routes in case of flooding
- Keep your vehicle fueled and road-ready
- Coordinate with family or friends outside the impact zone
- Prepare a go-bag with essentials:
- Medications and documents
- Chargers, water, non-perishable food, clothes
- Pet food and supplies if needed
If someone in your household has mobility challenges or depends on oxygen, dialysis, or other medical care, reach out to local officials or your healthcare provider now to make arrangements.
Medical Readiness: Don’t Let Health Needs Catch You Off Guard
Hurricanes can disrupt access to pharmacies, urgent care clinics, and even hospital services. Treat medical planning with the same urgency as food and water preparation.
Before the storm:
- Refill prescriptions early and store them safely
- Keep a printed list of medications, allergies, and emergency contacts
- Charge medical devices or ensure you have spare batteries
- Coordinate with your provider if you rely on oxygen, home health visits, or ongoing treatments
Beaumont Emergency Hospital remains open 24/7 during hurricanes. Our facility is equipped with emergency backup power, on-site diagnostics, and a comprehensive medical team ready to treat a wide range of conditions, from infections and injuries to chest pain, dehydration, or breathing problems—even when other providers are closed.
Stay Connected with Trusted Sources
During a storm, accurate information is critical. Don’t rely on social media rumors. Follow official channels for real-time alerts and updates:
- Southeast Texas Alerting Network (STAN)
- National Hurricane Center
- Local TV and radio stations
- Beaumont Emergency Hospital social media for service updates and storm-related announcements
Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio in your home emergency kit in case cell service or internet access goes down.
Beaumont Emergency Hospital: Here When You Need Us Most
Whether you’re sheltering at home or returning after an evacuation, Beaumont Emergency Hospital is here to serve the community 24/7—even when weather conditions get tough. We’ve prepared ahead of time so you can have peace of mind knowing help is always close by.
Beaumont Emergency Hospital
4004 College Street, Beaumont, TX 77707
(409) 840-4004
Sources:
National Hurricane Center (NOAA)
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov
Ready.gov – Hurricanes
https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
Texas Department of Transportation – Evacuation Routes
https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/division/traffic/safety/weather/hurricane.html
Southeast Texas Alerting Network (STAN)
https://thestan.com