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Village of Surfside Beach, Texas

Hurricane Preparedness

Life on the Texas Gulf Coast requires advance planning. Because Surfside Beach is an island community, residents, property owners, businesses, and visitors must be prepared to leave before conditions make the bridge and emergency response unsafe.

Prepare Before a Storm

Complete these steps before a watch or warning is issued.

Make an Evacuation Plan

  • Know where you will go and how you will get there.
  • Plan for children, older adults, pets, service animals, and anyone needing assistance.
  • Choose an out-of-area contact for your household.

Prepare Important Items

  • Identification and proof of residency or property ownership
  • Insurance policies and photographs of property
  • Medications, medical information, chargers, and backup batteries
  • Food, water, clothing, cash, and essential supplies

Prepare Your Property

  • Know how to safely shut off electricity and utilities.
  • Keep approved window coverings ready and accessible.
  • Secure or move outdoor objects that could become debris.
  • Fuel vehicles and charge communication devices early.

Understand the Storm Stages

Do not wait for hurricane-force winds to begin preparing.

  • Before Hurricane SeasonMake your household plan, gather supplies, protect important documents, and decide where you will evacuate.
  • Hurricane WatchHurricane conditions are possible. Secure property and complete preparations. Ground-stored RVs, golf carts, boats, and boat trailers must be evacuated from the island within four hours after a hurricane watch is issued.
  • Hurricane WarningHurricane conditions are expected. Finish preparations immediately and follow all official instructions.
  • Mandatory EvacuationLeave by the announced deadline. Once a mandatory evacuation is issued, non-residents will not be allowed onto the island.
  • Re-EntryDo not return until emergency officials authorize re-entry for your group.

When a Mandatory Evacuation Is Ordered

Follow official instructions and leave before conditions make travel unsafe.

Before Leaving

  • Follow the announced evacuation route, deadline, and official instructions.
  • Take identification, medications, essential supplies, and proof of residency or ownership.
  • Residents are encouraged to turn off power to their homes at the main breaker.
  • Tell family or an out-of-area contact where you are going.
  • Do not drive through floodwater or around barricades.

Island Services May Stop

  • The Mayor may turn off water and sewer to protect Village infrastructure.
  • The Mayor may request that electrical service be turned off to help prevent fires.
  • Fire trucks, ambulances, and other high-profile emergency vehicles will leave the island when wind speeds reach 50 mph.
  • Remaining emergency personnel and equipment will leave when storm surge begins flooding Village streets.
Critical warning: Anyone who remains on the island during a mandatory evacuation should expect to be without water, sewer, electrical power, and emergency services.

Accessibility & Additional Assistance

Plan early if you or someone in your household may need additional support during an evacuation.

Include Access Needs in Your Plan

  • Plan for mobility devices, communication devices, medical equipment, medications, and refrigeration needs.
  • Keep backup batteries and written equipment instructions available.
  • Include service animals and their food, water, medication, identification, and supplies.
  • Arrange transportation and an accessible destination before a storm approaches.
  • Ask your support network to check on you before and after the storm.

Accessible Information

Do not rely on only one method of receiving emergency information. Register for Village alerts and monitor official television, radio, text, email, and web announcements.

For help obtaining Village hurricane information in an accessible format, contact City Hall before an emergency.

Call City Hall: (979) 233-1531

Returning After an Evacuation

Re-entry may occur in phases as roads, utilities, and emergency services are restored.

  • Wait for authorization.Do not attempt to return until emergency personnel determine that conditions are safe.
  • Bring identification.Residents may be admitted first and should be prepared to show proof of residency at a checkpoint.
  • Bring proof of ownership.Property owners may be required to show ownership documents before entering the island.
  • Expect hazards.Watch for floodwater, damaged roads, debris, unstable structures, downed power lines, gas leaks, and displaced wildlife.
  • Use generators safely.Operate generators outdoors and away from doors, windows, vents, and enclosed areas.
  • Follow utility instructions.Do not restore power or utilities until officials or the appropriate service provider determine it is safe.

Official Resources

Use official government sources for current and reliable emergency information.

Village Emergency Alerts

Receive official Surfside Beach emergency and community notifications.

Register for Alerts

National Hurricane Center

View current tropical outlooks, forecasts, watches, warnings, and storm-surge information.

View NHC Advisories

NWS Houston/Galveston

View local forecasts, current hazards, radar, and Southeast Texas weather information.

View Local Weather

Ready.gov Hurricanes

Build a household emergency plan and prepare for hurricane-related hazards.

View Hurricane Guidance

Village Ordinances

Review the Village Code of Ordinances for applicable emergency-management requirements.

View Village Ordinances

Additional Coastal & Emergency Safety Resources

Accessible brochures and safety materials for evacuation planning, communication, health, weather, beach conditions, and business recovery.

Emergency Checklist for Mothers & Infants

Emergency supplies and planning considerations for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women and their infants.

Download Checklist (PDF)

Emergency Communication Cards

Picture-based communication aids for people who may have difficulty speaking, hearing, or communicating during an emergency.

Download Communication Cards (PDF)

United States Lifesaving Association Fact Sheet

Additional rip-current facts and water-safety guidance from the United States Lifesaving Association.

Download USLA Fact Sheet (PDF)
Rip-current diagram showing water flowing away from shore and swimmers escaping by moving sideways, parallel to the shoreline.
Select the rip-current poster to open the full-size image.

If You Are Caught in a Rip Current

  • Stay calm. Rip currents pull away from shore, not underwater.
  • Do not swim directly against the current.
  • Swim parallel to the shoreline until you are out of the current, then swim toward shore.
  • If you cannot escape, float or tread water.
  • Wave and call for help if you need assistance.
  • Never swim alone. When in doubt, stay out of the water.
NWS Rip Current Safety

Emergency & Village Contacts

Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency. During an active incident, follow official emergency instructions.

Emergency911
City Hall(979) 233-1531
Police Non-Emergency(979) 864-2392
Fire Department(979) 233-5926
Coast Guard(979) 233-3801
Village Address1304 Monument Drive
Surfside Beach, TX 77541

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