“While we are grateful to have been spared tropical weather this year, Harris County residents should remember that being prepared is a year-round responsibility,” said Mark Sloan, Harris County’s Coordinator for Homeland Security & Emergency Management. “We are moving into colder weather, and there are always events we cannot predict. Do not let your guard down now.”
For the season, which began June 1, there were fourteen named storms with only Tropical Storms Alex and Colin and Hurricanes Ian and Nicole making landfall in the United States. Hurricanes Fiona and Ian were the only major hurricanes, with winds in excess of 111 mph. Ian, a Category 4 hurricane, devastated southwest Florida after making landfall near Ft Myers in late September. Ian moved across the state and back into the Atlantic Ocean, where it made a second landfall in South Carolina. Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico as a Category 1 hurricane, eventually moving up the Atlantic into Canada.
According to the National Hurricane Center, this year’s activity was in line with seasonal guidance issued by the agency.
Disaster preparedness tools, including preparedness checklists, hurricane brochures, and resources for kids, are available at www.readyharris.org.
