Texas Advances Hurricane Preparedness Through Annual Hurricane Exercise

Texas Advances Hurricane Preparedness Through Annual Hurricane Exercise

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) hosted an annual hurricane exercise today as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen preparedness for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

This statewide tabletop hurricane exercise was developed over several months by emergency management professionals and hosted by TDEM, bringing together personnel from across the state as well as member agencies of the Texas Emergency Management Council. Participation from additional state and federal agencies enhanced coordination in discussions related to preparedness, response, and recovery operations.

“In Texas, we know it’s not a question of if we will be hit by another hurricane, it’s a question of when will the next hurricane happen and what part of the Texas coast will be impacted,” said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. “Exercises like this strengthen coordination, enhancing our ability to swiftly and effectively support Texas communities. Texans should do the same by preparing today for a safer tomorrow.”

The exercise scenario provided participants with the opportunity to work through the complexities of a large-scale hurricane event with concurrent threats, including impacts to critical infrastructure, intelligence and information sharing, logistics, resource management, support of population movement, recovery operations, and multi-agency coordination across jurisdictions.

“Our hurricane exercise brings our partners together to test plans, identify gaps, and strengthen how we operate during a major storm,” said TDEM’s Preparedness Division Chief Randy Meshell. “That coordination is critical, and we encourage Texans to take the same approach at home by making a plan and preparing before the next disaster.”

TDEM reminds Texans to stay informed, follow instructions from local officials, monitor weather forecasts, make an emergency plan, assemble an emergency supply kit, review hurricane evacuation routes, and consider reviewing flood risk and insurance coverage.

The 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins on June 1 and runs through November 30.

Texans are encouraged to visit the Texas Hurricane Center at gov.texas.gov/hurricane and ready.gov/hurricanes for preparedness resources and safety tips. Additional hurricane safety information can be found at TexasReady.gov. All hazards preparedness tips are available at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.