Hurricane Preparedness

Immediately following the attacks of September 11, 2001, Texas began to strengthen its ability to plan for and respond to all hazards. In October 2001, Governor Perry established a Task Force on Homeland Security, headed by Lt. Governor Dewhurst, which made a series of recommendations to the Governor for how to enhance state security. The Task Force report served as the basis for the Texas Homeland Security Strategic Plan, in which Governor Perry articulated the importance of planning for and responding to all hazards, including natural disasters like hurricanes, on a regional basis.

The State has substantially enhanced its ability to address all hazards. However, Governor Perry has directed the continual improvement of planning and response capability to ensure that the State is optimally positioned to minimize the loss of life from both natural and manmade hazards.

The devastating hurricanes in Florida in 2004 underscored the significant challenges associated with mass hurricane evacuations, and in September 2004 Governor Perry directed a comprehensive assessment of current state hurricane evacuation plans. His task to the State Director of Homeland Security was to:

• Review existing evacuation routes, traffic control plans, and intergovernmental coordination procedures to manage such evacuations,
• Obtain input from local community leaders along the coastal area of the state, and
• Identify potential gaps and make appropriate recommendations for improvement.