Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management

Record 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season Ends

November 30, 2021, marked the official end of the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season. There were 21 named storms this season with seven hurricanes, four of which were classified as major hurricanes. It is the second consecutive year in which the full list of storms was exhausted. Tropical Storm Ana formed on May 20 and the final storm, Hurricane Wanda formed on October 31. Only Hurricane Nicholas directly impacted Harris County, passing along the Texas Gulf […]

Harris County Launches Accessible Alert System

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) is providing access to alerts, warnings, and preparedness information to persons who are Deaf, Blind, Hard-of-Hearing, Deaf-Blind, or low-vision through a new one-stop-website. The Ready Harris Alert System (RHAS) site will house emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation information on disasters. In addition, the system has Braille reader capability and can also send emergency alerts with sign language interpreting along with voice and closed […]

Tropical Storm Peter Forms in the Atlantic

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) is monitoring the course of tropical storm Peter which formed today east of Puerto Rico. Based on current forecasts from the National Hurricane Center, Peter will not be a threat to Texas or the Gulf Coast. Tropical Storm Rose is also likely to form today near the African coast. Tropical Storm Peter is the 16thnamed storm in the Atlantic Hurricane Season which ends November 30, 2021. HCOHSEM […]

Harris County’s ‘StoryMap’ Awarded State Accolade on Innovation at 2021 TAMIO Conference

TAMIO is an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League, which was organized in 1913 and currently represents some 98% of Texas’ urban population through its more than 1,150 member cities. Guided by its purpose statement—Empowering Texas cities to serve their citizens—the League helps city leaders meet the ever-changing challenges of governance. As partners, TML and TAMIO offer the best in representation and assistance to cities and their respective colleagues.  

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) was honored with state best innovation award at the annual Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) conference in Round Rock. HCOHSEM is one of many jurisdictions that have faced the unprecedented challenge of providing clear public information on COVID-19. As the emergency management agency for the third largest county in the nation, HCOHSEM created the COVID-19 StoryMap to create awareness and educate the […]

Heavy Rainfall Expected This Weekend

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) is monitoring a tropical wave entering our area beginning late Saturday night and lasting into early next week. The National Weather Service forecasts widespread rainfall of up to 3 to 5 inches for areas south of I-10, with the possibility of up to 8 inches in areas closer to the coast. The biggest threat will come from heavy downpours that produce high amounts of rain in […]

Tropical Storm Julian Forms in the Atlantic

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) continues to monitor the course of tropical storm Julian which formed today in the Atlantic. Based on current forecasts from the National Hurricane Center, Julian poses no threat to Texas at this time. Tropical Storm Julian is the 10th named storm in the Atlantic Hurricane Season which ends November 30, 2021. HCOHSEM urges residents to check their emergency kits and review their emergency plans. Stay informed by following […]

Tropical Storm Fred Forms in the Atlantic

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) continues to monitor the course of tropical storm Fred. Based on current forecasts from the National Hurricane Center, Fred poses no threat to Texas. Now is a good time to check your emergency kits and review your emergency plans. Stay informed by following HCOHSEM updates online, on social media, and by signing up for Ready Harris Alerts. For more information on how to prepare, review our hurricane preparedness […]

HCOHSEM, MOPD and Sight Into Sound Create Emergency Preparedness Tips for Blind and Visually Impaired Community

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM), in collaboration with the Houston Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) and Sight Into Sound, have developed emergency preparedness tips for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The partnership is designed to ensure that the blind and visually impaired have 24/7 access to emergency preparedness information in audio formats spoken in both English and Spanish.  The messages explain what to do during […]

Harris County Public Information Officer Appointed to FEMA National Advisory Council

Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOSHEM) Public Information Officer Francisco Sanchez has been selected to serve as a member of the FEMA National Advisory Council (NAC) Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Subcommittee to represent state and local emergency managers. “I am honored by the opportunity to serve and look forward to working diligently on an issue I am deeply committed to, improving how public safety can best deliver the […]

Harris County ReadyHarris App Receives Award of Excellence

 (Harris County, TX) – The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) received an Award of Excellence for its ReadyHarris app from the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) at its annual conference this June. “We are honored to be recognized by communication professionals from around the state for our mobile app,” said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. “The ReadyHarris app helps our residents better prepare and stay informed during emergencies.” […]