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Brownsville hurricane guide

Brownsville is the Cameron County seat and the largest city in the county, on the Rio Grande near the Gulf coast, where hurricanes bring high winds, heavy rain, and flooding. The city runs its own Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, police and fire departments, and city alerts, and the Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) provides electric, water, and wastewater service.

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 City of Brownsville Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

Official website: brownsvilletx.gov

What to know in Brownsville

  • City officials say heavy rain can still cause temporary street flooding, and most affected areas are expected to drain within about one to two hours after the rain slows or stops. The city recommends that residents buy flood insurance.
  • The city's Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security runs the Brownsville Emergency Operations Center and coordinates local response and recovery with county, state, and federal agencies. Brownsville is a National Weather Service StormReady community.

Emergency and information numbers

Service Number Notes
City information line 956-546-4357 City of Brownsville, 1001 E Elizabeth Street. Also written 956-546-HELP. Also the line for brush and bulky item pickup questions. Not for emergencies.
Emergency management office 956-504-7405 Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, 685 E. 14th Street. Office line. Not for emergencies.
Police Department 956-548-7000 Brownsville Police Department main station, 600 E. Jackson Street. For records, reports, and police matters that are not emergencies.

Official alerts and information

  • Brownsville Alerts: Free alerts by text, email, or phone. Sign up before a storm. The city uses it for evacuation, shelter-in-place, and boil water orders, and you can add your address so you only get alerts for your area. Website.
  • Ready Brownsville: The city's emergency information hub, with official updates, news, and videos before, during, and after severe weather. Website.
  • Brownsville hurricane preparedness: The city's official hurricane information page. Website.

County services that cover Brownsville

Cameron County manages evacuation zones, evacuation centers, and emergency alerts for everyone who lives in Brownsville. The Cameron County guide has the full list of county numbers, radio stations, and recovery help.

  • Look up your evacuation zone
  • CodeRED (Cameron County): Free alerts by text, email, or phone. Sign up before a storm. Run by the Cameron County Emergency Communications District for evacuation notices, weather advisories, and other emergencies. Alert calls come from 1-206-536-3695; save it as a contact named CodeRED. Website.
  • Cameron County Emergency Management: The county's official hurricane information page, with evacuation maps, STEAR registration, and preparedness guides. Also in Spanish. Website.

Power, water and debris

  • Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) emergencies: Electric, water, or wastewater emergencies, 24 hours a day. Report an outage online or by phone. For a downed power line, also call 911. Assume every downed line is live and stay far away. Phone: 956-983-6300. Website.
  • Brush and bulky item pickup: City brush and bulky item pickup by zone. Keep piles at least 6 feet from overhead wires, parked cars, meters, and service boxes, and keep brush separate from bulky items. Also written 956-546-HELP. Phone: 956-546-4357. Website.

Sources

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