Newton County hurricane guide¶
In Newton County the County Judge is the Emergency Management Director. The county is inland in East Texas, but tropical storms can still reach it. When the county declared a disaster for a tropical storm threat in September 2026, it warned of torrential rain, major flooding, high winds, possible tornadoes, closed roads, and long power outages. Sign up for Genasys alerts and never drive through flooded roads.
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 Newton County Emergency Management. In a life threatening emergency, call 911.
What to know in Newton County¶
- On September 1, 2026, the County Judge declared a local state of disaster as Potential Tropical Cyclone Five, which could become Tropical Storm Edouard, threatened the county. The order warned that flooding could block roads and that power and utility outages could last a long time.
- To rebuild or repair a flood damaged home, contact the county floodplain office at 409-379-5691 before you start.
Emergency and information numbers¶
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | 911 | Police, fire, and ambulance. Call only when someone's life or property is in danger. |
| Emergency management office | 409-379-5691 | Newton County Judge, the Emergency Management Director. Office line. Not for emergencies. |
| Emergency disaster contact | 409-221-8923 | The county emergency management page lists this number to call about emergency disasters. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911. |
| Sheriff's Office | 409-379-3636 | Newton County Sheriff's Department. Also the county's number to report a fire. Not for life-threatening emergencies. |
Official alerts and information¶
- Newton County Genasys Emergency Notification System: Free alerts by text, email, or phone. Sign up before a storm. Website.
- Newton County Emergency Management: The county emergency management page, with disaster declarations and fire department contacts. 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.
Newton County does not publish a shelter list. If shelters are needed, officials announce them for each storm. Do not go to a site until officials announce it is open. Watch Genasys alerts and the county website.
Radio, TV and weather¶
Keep a battery or hand crank radio. When power and cell service fail, radio is often the only way to hear official updates.
Radio stations¶
| Station | Frequency | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLVI | 560 AM | English | Emergency Alert System primary station (LP1) |
| KQXY-FM | 94.1 FM | English | Emergency Alert System primary station (LP2) |
Emergency Alert System roles come from the Texas Emergency Alert System Plan, approved in December 2017 and updated in January 2026, published by the Texas Association of Broadcasters.
NOAA Weather Radio¶
A weather radio turns itself on for warnings, even in the middle of the night. Set it to this frequency.
| Station | Frequency | Transmitter |
|---|---|---|
| WXK28 | 162.475 MHz | Beaumont |
| KXI54 | 162.425 MHz | Burkeville |
TV stations¶
| Station | Channel | Network | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFDM | 6 | CBS | English |
| KBMT (12News) | 12 | ABC | English |
Official forecasts¶
- National Weather Service Lake Charles: Local forecasts, watches, and warnings. Phone: 337-477-5285. Website.
- National Hurricane Center: Official hurricane forecasts, watches, and warnings. Website.
Power, water and debris¶
- Entergy Texas: Text OUT to 36778 after signing up for Outage Texting. Phone: 800-968-8243. Website.
- Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative: Report an outage online or by phone. Assume every downed line is live and stay far away. Phone: 800-392-5986. Website.
- Jasper-Newton Electric Cooperative: Report an outage online or by phone. Assume every downed line is live and stay far away. Phone: 800-231-9340. Website.
- City of Newton Electric: City Hall (office hours): 409-379-5061. Phone: 409-489-2043. 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.
Where to start¶
- 2-1-1 Texas: The free 211 helpline for all of Texas, a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, answered by 25 Area Information Centers. Help finding food, housing, child care, crisis counseling, and disaster services, day or night. Dial 211 at any hour. If 211 does not connect, call 877-541-7905. Choose your language, then option 1 for local services or option 4 to register for STEAR. Phone: 211. Website.
Housing and shelter¶
- FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers: After a federal declaration, these centers help you apply for aid in person. Use the locator to find the nearest one. Phone: 1-800-621-3362. Website.
Food¶
- Southeast Texas Food Bank: Regional food bank for 8 counties. It supplies local food pantries and meal sites. Beaumont office. Call or use its website to find a food pantry near you. Phone: 409-839-8777. Website.
Money, work and insurance¶
- DisasterAssistance.gov: Apply for FEMA aid after a federal declaration. Phone: 1-800-621-3362. Website.
- SBA disaster loans: Low interest loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses after a declared disaster. Phone: 800-659-2955. Website.
Legal help¶
- Lone Star Legal Aid: Free civil legal help for low-income residents of 72 counties in east and southeast Texas, including the Houston and Beaumont areas. Its Disaster Relief team helps with lost legal papers, home repair contracts, landlord problems, proof of home ownership, and FEMA appeals. Call to apply. Houston main office: 713-652-0077. You can also apply online. Phone: 800-733-8394. Website.
Emotional support¶
- Burke Center crisis line: The local mental health authority for Angelina, Houston, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler counties, under contract with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Answered at any hour, for a mental health or substance use crisis. You can also call or text 988. Phone: 800-392-8343. Website.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text, any time. Phone: 988.
Relief organizations¶
- American Red Cross Southeast and Deep East Texas Chapter: The Red Cross chapter for 17 counties in southeast and deep east Texas, part of the Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region. Shelter, emergency help, and disaster relief. Orange office. Nacogdoches office: 936-305-5060. For disaster help at any hour, call 1-800-733-2767. Phone: 409-883-2322. Website.
Cities and towns¶
Each city has its own services and some have their own alerts. The county's evacuation zones, evacuation centers, and emergency alerts cover everyone, in every city and in unincorporated areas.
Related guides¶
- Should I evacuate?
- What to expect at a hurricane shelter
- Hurricane supply list
- After a hurricane: the first 24 hours
- Insurance claims and disaster aid
Sources¶
Checked on October 3, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.
- https://www.co.newton.tx.us/upload/page/3494/docs/Disaster%20Postings%20and%20Orders/Dec%20Dis%20Edouard%2009012026.pdf
- https://www.co.newton.tx.us/
- https://www.co.newton.tx.us/page/newton.Emergency
- https://www.co.newton.tx.us/page/newton.Sheriff
- https://www.weather.gov/source/nwr/JS/CCL.js
- https://api.weather.gov/zones/county/TXC351
- https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
- https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/api/service/facility/search/KLVI
- https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/api/service/facility/search/KQXY
- https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/api/service/facility/search/KFDM
- https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/api/service/facility/search/KBMT
- https://www.entergytexas.com/contact
- https://www.deepeast.com/
- https://www.jnec.com/
- https://www.newtontexas.org/about_us/contact_us.php
- https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator
- https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
- https://www.sba.gov/disaster/
- https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-substance-use-resources/find-your-local-mental-health-or-behavioral-health-authority
- https://www.211texas.org/about-2-1-1/
- https://www.feedingtexas.org/food-banks/
- https://www.lonestarlegal.org/offices/
- https://www.redcross.org/local/texas/gulf-coast/about-us/locations/southeast-deep-east.html