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Texas hurricane guide

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) runs the state's emergency management program and works with local governments to respond to and recover from hurricanes and other disasters. Rain, wind, and flooding can reach far inland, not just the coast. Start with your county page for evacuation zones and local alerts, and if local officials tell you to evacuate, go right away. For help at any hour, dial 211 from anywhere in Texas.

Checked on October 3, 2026

Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from the Texas Division of Emergency Management. In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

Counties

Choose your county. Each county page has its emergency numbers, evacuation zones, and shelters, and lists its cities and towns.

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More places are on the way. Until yours is listed, see the official sources page or call 211.

Emergency and information numbers

Service Number Notes
2-1-1 Texas 211 Free help finding shelter, food, housing, and disaster services, day or night. Run by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. If 211 does not connect, call 877-541-7905.
Road conditions (TxDOT) 1-800-452-9292 Statewide highway conditions and road closures from the Texas Department of Transportation. You can also check DriveTexas.org.
Texas Division of Emergency Management office 512-424-2208 Office line. Not for emergencies.

Official alerts and information

  • 2-1-1 Texas Disaster Updates: Sign up on 211texas.org, or ask at the end of a 211 call or chat, to get notices about disaster resources. Updates are not offered for every disaster. Texas has no statewide alert signup, so also sign up for your county or city alerts. Website.

Statewide resources

  • Texas Division of Emergency Management: Statewide news, disaster declarations, and preparedness tips. After a disaster, you can report damage to your home or business through its Report Disaster Damage link. Website.
  • Texas Hurricane Center (Office of the Governor): The state's hurricane guide for before, during, and after a storm, in English and Spanish. Website.
  • Hurricane evacuation and contraflow routes (TxDOT): Evacuation route maps for the coast from Beaumont to Brownsville, and how to use contraflow lanes, in English and Spanish. During some evacuations, highway lanes may be reversed so all traffic moves inland. TDEM does not publish a statewide evacuation zone map. See your county page for your zone. Website.
  • DriveTexas: Live road conditions from TxDOT, including flooded roads and evacuation routes. Website.

Evacuation centers

Open only when announced

Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.

Shelters open only when officials announce them. TDEM does not keep a statewide list of open shelters. To find one, dial 211, use the Red Cross open shelter finder, or check your county page and local alerts.

Official list of open evacuation centers

Help to evacuate

  • State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR): A free registry that tells local emergency planners and responders who may need help in an emergency, such as people with disabilities or medical needs, or people who need transportation. Register online, or dial 211, choose your language, then option 4. Relay users can reach 211 at 877-541-7905. Registering does not guarantee help, and services vary by community, so ask your county emergency management office what it offers. Phone: 211. Website.

After the storm: help for displaced residents

If your home is damaged or you cannot go back, these organizations help with shelter, food, money, and paperwork. Many programs open only after a disaster declaration, so check their pages for current status.

Food

  • Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP): Food benefits that may be offered after a disaster, run by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. During a disaster, HHSC posts benefit and office information on this page. For questions about state benefits such as SNAP, dial 211, choose your language, then option 2. Website.

Money, work and insurance

  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance: For people who lose work as a direct result of a major disaster and cannot get regular unemployment benefits, run by the Texas Workforce Commission. Apply online or call a Tele-Center. You must apply within 60 days of the presidential disaster declaration. Phone: 800-939-6631. Website.
  • State Bar of Texas Legal Disaster Hotline: Connects low-income people affected by a disaster with free legal aid, for help with lost documents, insurance, landlord problems, and contractor scams. Answered in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. You can leave a message at any time. See your county page for your local legal aid office. Phone: 800-504-7030. Website.

Scams, contractors and price gouging

  • Texas Department of Insurance Help Line: Help with insurance claims and finding your insurance company's phone number. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, Monday to Friday. Phone: 800-252-3439. Website.
  • Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) claims: If you have a TWIA windstorm policy, report a claim at any hour by phone or online. You can also text Hello to 512-645-2846. Phone: 800-788-8247. Website.
  • Price gouging (Texas Attorney General): Consumer Protection Hotline. After a disaster is declared, price gouging on fuel, food, medicine, lodging, building materials, and other necessities is illegal. File a consumer complaint online to report it. Phone: 800-621-0508. Website.

Sources

Checked on October 3, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.