Hurricane season countdown clocks unveiled in Harris County

HOUSTON – The Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management  and Clear Channel Outdoor launched on Monday its digital billboards to count down to the 2017 hurricane season.

The public service announcements are part of HCOHSEM's annual preparedness campaign urging residents to get ready for hurricane season, which starts on June 1.

Eight billboards throughout Harris County will display the countdown to the start of the season, and five traditional billboards will display preparedness messages throughout hurricane season.

Planning ahead for potential disaster can help you protect yourself, your family and your property, officials said

“Everything we do is to remind people that we live in a hurricane-prone zone,” Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said. “Prepare as if one’s going to hit. Don’t wait until the last minute.”

The county said its imperative you do the following:

If the coastal area is threatened:

  • Monitor your local TV and radio stations
  • Fuel your vehicles and generators
  • Cover windows with plywood
  • Evacuate immediately, if advised

If you are not in a flood prone area and you plan to stay home:

  • Fill bathtubs and all available containers with water
  • Remain indoors in a closet, bathroom or hall on the lower level of your house, away from windows

"It's not a question of if we will be hit by a hurricane, it's really just a question of when," Emmett said.

Starting in June, you'll start to see more traditional billboards with helpful tips on how to be safe during Hurricane season like always keep a half a tank of gas in your vehicle from June 1 to Nov. 30.

"I'd rather be safe than sorry," Octavias Stewart said. "Flashlights, water, batteries, extra diapers for the little one, food that we can use during the storm."

Get hurricane preparedness tips and sign up for emergency alerts for Harris County at www.readyharris.org.

Track the tropics any time by visiting the Hurricane Headquarters page of Click2Houston.com or by downloading the KPRC 2 Hurricane Tracker app on Apple or Android devices.