Skip to main content
BPUB

Hurricane Preparedness

Be prepared in case disaster hits. Read our hurricane guide to find ways you can stay safe during a storm.

The Rio Grande Valley is vulnerable to hurricanes from June through November. Being prepared before a storm arrives is essential for keeping your family safe. BPUB works year-round to ensure we can restore services quickly after any disaster.

Safety During Hurricanes

Portable Generator Safety

Portable generators provide essential power during outages, but improper use can be deadly. According to the National Fire Protection Association, carbon monoxide deaths are rising along with generator sales.

Carbon Monoxide Dangers

  • Generators emit carbon monoxide (CO) during operation—an odorless, colorless, deadly gas
  • Never operate a generator indoors, in a garage, or in any enclosed space
  • Keep generators at least 20 feet from windows and doors
  • Don't store generator fuel near ignition sources

Electrical Safety

  • Never connect a generator directly to your home's wiring—this "backfeeds" into power lines and can kill utility workers making repairs
  • Never overload a generator; it can cause fire or electrical shock
  • Read the owner's manual to properly ground your generator
  • Stay away from operating generators to avoid burns

Learn more about generator safety at NFPA.org

Downed Power Line Safety

After a storm, downed power lines are one of the most serious hazards. Always assume any downed line is energized and deadly.

  • Never touch or approach a downed power line
  • Stay at least 35 feet away from any fallen lines
  • If you see a downed line, call BPUB at (956) 983-6300
  • Call 911 in life-threatening emergencies
  • If a power line falls on your vehicle, stay inside and call for help. Only exit if the vehicle is on fire—jump clear with both feet together, landing without touching the car.
Disaster Kit Essentials

Prepare a disaster kit ahead of time and store it in a portable, waterproof container. Your kit should include:

Food & Water

  • Three-day supply of non-perishable food
  • At least one gallon of water per person per day
  • Manual can opener

Health & Safety

  • Prescription and non-prescription medications
  • Baby formula and diapers (if needed)
  • First aid kit
  • Special items for infants, elderly, or family members with disabilities

Emergency Supplies

  • Flashlight and battery-powered radio
  • Extra batteries for both
  • Phone chargers and backup batteries

Documents & Valuables

  • Insurance cards and policy information
  • Credit cards and cash
  • Important documents in waterproof bags

Other Essentials

  • Books, crayons, and games for children
  • Pet food, medications, and portable carrier
Family Emergency Plan

A disaster can strike quickly. Having a plan helps reduce stress when family members are separated.

Communication Plan

  • Designate an out-of-area contact for all family members to check in with
  • Ensure everyone knows the contact's phone number by memory
  • Establish a meeting point if you become separated locally

Home Safety

  • Identify the safest areas in your home for sheltering
  • Know how to turn off utilities (gas, water, electricity)
  • Take photos of your home and belongings for insurance purposes

Training

  • Family members should learn basic first aid and CPR
  • Take disaster preparedness classes when available
  • Practice your evacuation plan

Pet Planning

  • Identify pet-friendly shelters or hotels along your evacuation route
  • Keep pet carriers and supplies accessible
  • Ensure pets have identification tags with current contact info
Evacuation Guidelines

If the Mayor of Brownsville issues an evacuation order, follow these guidelines:

Destinations

  • Evacuees without lodging arrangements should head to San Antonio
  • If you have pre-arranged lodging, proceed to your planned destination (Laredo, Austin, El Paso, etc.)

Preparation

  • Fuel your vehicle early—don't wait until an evacuation order
  • Plan your evacuation route in advance
  • Know who is traveling with you
  • Take your disaster kit

Transportation Assistance

  • If you don't have transportation, contact 2-1-1 now to register—don't wait
  • Special arrangements take time to coordinate

Route Information

  • During major storms, traffic on US 77 may be diverted via TX 186 to US 281
  • Monitor Drive Texas for road conditions
  • Call (956) 504-7405 for shelter, road closure, and outage information during storms

How BPUB Responds to Hurricanes

BPUB's year-round planning encompasses all areas of utility generation and delivery to minimize customer impact during natural disasters.

Before a Storm

  • Crews and staff drill in emergency response procedures
  • Teams cross-train to fill multiple roles, including call centers
  • Mutual aid agreements are secured with other utilities for additional crews and equipment

When a Storm is Imminent

  • All BPUB personnel are placed on special alert
  • BPUB and mutual-aid crews fuel up and deploy to staging areas
  • Supplies are positioned to support 16-hour crew rotations
  • Emergency plans and continuation procedures are activated

During the Storm

  • A 24-hour staffed command center monitors conditions and coordinates response
  • Assessment and repair crews remain deployed until conditions become too severe
  • Staff at the City of Brownsville Emergency Operations Center communicate with city, state, and federal agencies

Restoring Service

  1. Power plants and transmission lines are restored first—these are essential for all other services
  2. Substations are restored next, which also power water treatment plants
  3. Critical facilities receive priority: hospitals, police and fire stations, emergency centers
  4. Large customer groups are restored to bring service back to the most people quickly
  5. Individual repairs address remaining outages in neighborhoods

Emergency Resources