Hidalgo County Promotes Preparedness for 2012 Hurricane Season

Texas Border Business ---

Hidalgo County --- Today marks the beginning of this year’s Hurricane Season, and Hidalgo County has been taking the necessary steps to be ready in the event a storm should threaten our area, and County officials encourage all residents to do the same.  This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center forecasts a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season with a 70% chance of nine to 15 named storms, four to eight of which could become hurricanes, and one to three of those major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5).

As we prepare for this year, we look to our past experiences from which we have learned.  Hidalgo County officials would like to remind all residents to remember that storms are never fully predictable nor are the outcomes or spinoffs of such storm systems, as we’ve seen these last few months with the hail storms. Hidalgo County highly encourages its citizens to keep alert when hazardous weather is announced and reminds you to have a plan in place to keep you and your family out of harm’s way.

Hidalgo County is committed to the safety, security, and livelihood of all residents during any such situation and is taking the necessary steps to prepare in anticipation of hurricane season. County Emergency Management Coordinator Oscar Montoya reported to the Court that this year’s message of preparedness is once again one of personal responsibility; Montoya urges residents to ensure they have adequate insurance on their homes and property to protect against loss due to hurricanes, floods, and extreme weather such as was recently experienced.

The County is informing residents about hurricane season and partnering with local community resources centers within the County for the 3rd Annual “Dare to Prepare Hurricane Fairs” in June. The fairs will educate and empower the community to make informed and responsible preparations; the public is invited to attend. 

The schedule for the “Dare to Prepare” fairs can be found below:

REGISTER WITH 211

211 is a tool to identify those residents that need assistance so that the County can prepare for a mandatory evacuation.   If a resident has a disability or special health care need and requires assistance, has neither a vehicle nor a ride, or cannot drive nor arrange transportation during a mandatory evacuation, they are urged to register with 211.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

Hidalgo County makes great use of its website and social media to make residents aware of what is happening in the County, and will continue to utilize these technological communications as well as traditional media (print, television, and radio) and grassroots communications to keep residents informed in the event disaster should strike.  The County has seen the benefits of augmenting traditional methods with social media to communicate critical information during any type of emergency events, such as the recent hailstorms and dangerous weather outlooks. 

Residents can visit the County website (www.co.hidalgo.tx.us), to view important information and updates before, during and after emergency events.  Here, residents can sign up to receive Emergency Alerts via email notifications (www.co.hidalgo.tx.us/notifyme).   Those who use social media are encouraged to follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/HidalgoCounty and www.facebook.com/RGVDisasterCenter – a regional, Valley-wide page which includes information from bordering counties and cities).  The County is also on Twitter (www.twitter.com/hidalgocounty) and Youtube (www.youtube.com/hidalgocountytx). TBB

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