The National Weather Service Houston/Galveston office issued a preparedness advisory Tuesday, Aug. 18, warning that the Atlantic hurricane season is entering its most dangerous stretch and urging residents who haven't stocked supplies or reviewed evacuation plans to act now.
Atlantic storm activity peaks sharply around Sept. 10, according to NOAA historical data, and the maximum danger window for the Texas coast runs through August and September. The NWS advisory comes after a quiet start to the 2026 season that has produced only two named tropical storms and no hurricanes.
The NWS Houston office, based in Dickinson, noted on X: "If you've been a slacker this year, now is a great time to prepare if you haven't already."
Galveston County Office of Emergency Management Director Jesse Ryholt made the same point in May when the county launched its hurricane preparedness billboard campaign. "It really only takes one storm to come through and really do some damage," Ryholt told Houston Public Media at the time. "Let's not rest on that mindset, let's always be ready."
The NWS 2026 Hurricane Guide highlights that 63 hurricanes have hit Texas since 1851, 22 of them major. The 1983 season was one of the least active on record yet still produced Hurricane Alicia, which devastated the Houston-Galveston region.
What League City residents should do
The NWS advisory lists five supply priorities: food and water, medicine and prescriptions, a full gas tank, cash on hand, and a radio with batteries and phone chargers. Galveston County OEM recommends at least 72 hours of supplies per person.
League City zip codes 77573 and 77586 fall in evacuation Zone A on the H-GAC 2026 ZipZone map, meaning those households would be among the first ordered to leave during a major storm surge event. Storm surge is the leading cause of hurricane deaths, and water levels can rise in minutes, the NWS guide warns.
Residents can sign up for Galveston County emergency alerts at gcoem.org. League City also offers a free alert system through the city's website.
Below-normal forecast doesn't mean safe
NOAA's Aug. 6 updated outlook gives a 75% chance of below-normal activity this season, forecasting seven to 13 named storms, two to six hurricanes and zero to two major hurricanes. A typical season produces 14 named storms and seven hurricanes.
Strong El Niño conditions are suppressing open-Atlantic storm formation, but Fox Weather reports that "homegrown" tropical systems can still develop in the northern Gulf with shorter lead times before impact. Tropical Storm Arthur formed in the Gulf in mid-June and brought record rainfall to Louisiana and tornadoes along the Gulf Coast.
As we reported Aug. 14, a GAO report found that FEMA staffing cuts could slow federal hurricane response in Galveston County.
The NWS Houston/Galveston office publishes its full 2026 Hurricane Guide in English and Spanish. The climatological peak falls on Thursday, Sept. 10.
