06/03/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MATAGORDA COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
June 1, 2026
Hurricane Season Begins Today: Matagorda County Residents Encouraged to Prepare Before the First Storm Forms
BAY CITY, Texas — Today marks the first day of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, and the Matagorda County Office of Emergency Management is urging residents, businesses, and visitors to prepare now rather than wait until a storm threatens the Texas Gulf Coast.
While forecasters are predicting a potentially less active season than recent years, emergency officials stress that it only takes one storm to cause significant impacts to our communities. Hurricanes, tropical storms, storm surge, flooding, tornadoes, and extended power outages remain threats for Matagorda County and the entire Texas coast.
"Preparedness starts long before a storm enters the Gulf of Mexico," said Amanda Campos, Emergency Management Coordinator for Matagorda County. "The best time to build your emergency kit, review your evacuation plans, and protect important documents is today. Every hurricane season is different, but the message remains the same: Be prepared, stay informed, and act early."
WHAT MATAGORDA COUNTY RESIDENTS SHOULD DO NOW
• Know your evacuation zone and evacuation routes before a storm threatens the coast.
• Build or refresh your emergency supply kit with enough food, water, medications, and essentials for at least three days.
• Prepare for extended power outages by charging devices, maintaining backup batteries, and having flashlights readily available.
• Review family communication plans and ensure everyone knows where to go and how to reconnect if separated.
• Sign up for local emergency alerts and follow trusted sources for weather information.
• Gather and protect important documents, including insurance policies, identification, medical records, and emergency contacts.
• Check insurance coverage and understand what is and is not covered before hurricane season peaks.
• Make plans for pets, elderly family members, and anyone with access or functional needs.
• Fuel vehicles early when a storm threatens and avoid waiting until evacuation orders are issued.
• Trim trees, secure outdoor furniture, and inspect your home for potential wind and flood vulnerabilities.
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
• Waiting until a storm enters the Gulf to buy supplies.
• Assuming a "quiet" season means no risk.
• Relying on a single source of information.
• Forgetting to prepare for flooding, which remains one of the greatest hurricane threats in Texas.
• Not having a backup plan for communications and power outages.
2026 HURRICANE SEASON BY THE NUMBERS
The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30. Historically, the most active months for Texas are August and September, but tropical systems can impact the Gulf Coast at any time during the season.
PREPARE TODAY, NOT TOMORROW
Matagorda County emergency officials encourage residents to use the start of hurricane season as a reminder to take simple preparedness steps now. A few hours of preparation today can make a significant difference when severe weather threatens our community.
For updates, please follow official Matagorda County communication channels.
Emergency Operations Center page. Our local newspapers also have social media pages and do a great job getting the best information to the public, they are the Bay City Tribune, the Bay City Sentinel, and the Palacios Beacon.
Stay tuned to the local radio stations FM 92.5 and the Gulf Coast One web site.
Matagorda County Office of Emergency Management
The number one priority of the Matagorda County Emergency Operations Center is the health and safety of our residents and visitors. We will continue monitoring conditions and providing timely updates as this weather event evolves.
Updates will be provided as conditions change.
Media Contact:
Matagorda County Office of Emergency Management
Mitch Thames, Matagorda County PIO
📞 832-595-4168
✉️ [email protected]
