June 2, 2024 – The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) urges Texans to stay alert and informed throughout the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which began June 1 and runs through November 30.
“As we head into hurricane season, all Texans should take time to consider their severe weather plans and prepare their families and property for a potential storm,” PUCT Chairman Thomas Gleeson said. “Hurricanes can cause significant damage to electrical infrastructure and lead to localized power outages and other safety risks. It is extremely important to understand your own personal hurricane risk and review PUCT and other state resources in advance of any severe weather.”
In the event of a hurricane, electricity consumers in Texas can use the PUCT’s Storm Resources webpage to monitor local power outages, find contact information to report local outages, and review other useful safety tips.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) encourages residents in hurricane prone areas to monitor local weather forecasts, make an emergency plan, review hurricane evacuation routes, build a kit containing emergency supplies, and consider reviewing flood risk and insurance coverage.
To prepare for hurricane season, the PUCT works with electricity providers across the state to ensure they have appropriate hurricane preparedness measures in place and can quickly respond to outages. The PUCT also helps providers in hurricane prone areas supply customers with preparedness information as an insert in their billing statements.
As part of the Texas Emergency Management Council, the PUCT works closely with the Governor’s Office, TDEM, and more than 30 other state agencies and higher education systems to prepare for, respond to and recover from severe weather. During a severe weather emergency, the Texas State Operations Command Center serves as a central hub for coordination and communication with the public.
Texans should visit the Texas Hurricane Center at gov.texas.gov/hurricane and ready.gov/hurricanes for more preparedness resources and safety tips.
