In This Section

Navigation for Caring for the Coast

Caring for the Coast Home Oil Spills Environmental Protection Permit Assistance Coastal Erosion Open Beaches Coastal Construction Grants & Funding Hurricanes

Preparing For Hurricanes

Hazard Mitigation

Education & Outreach Public Notices How Do I? Vessel Removal Location and Hours Adopt-A-Beach

Hurricanes

Hurricanes and tropical storms cause extensive erosion on the Texas coast, flattening dunes and eating away popular beaches. Inland communities are left vulnerable to future storm surges once the natural dune system is gone. The Texas General Land Office works to rebuild beaches and dune systems to give Texas a more resilient coast.

Erosion caused by hurricanes can put some coastal property owners in a tough spot. As an eroding beach moves, so does the rolling public easement that allows public access. The result: A beachfront house may need to be moved from the public beach after a storm. The Land Office typically grants a grace period after destructive storms to let the beach and natural vegetation re-establish themselves in front of homes. Learn More

GLO & Hurricane Response

Land Office Oil Spill Team Assists in Hurricane Katrina Response

During natural disasters such as hurricanes, the Texas General Land Office is ready to assist with our unique, prepositioned assets along the Texas coast.  Land Office staff supports the State Emergency Operation Center as well as supporting our personnel in the field.   During a disaster, the Land Office believes human life and safety is the number one priority.  To accomplish this, employees, equipment, and knowledge from the Land Office field offices are joined with Texas Task Force 1, Texas's leading urban search and rescue team.  

In preparation for hurricanes that impact Texas, such as Hurricane Dolly & Ike, Land Office employees can travel into the projected impact areas to assist Texas Task Force 1.  As the storm impacts Texas, the Land Office assists in setting priority search locations, generating digital area maps, as well as general communications.   Once the storm has passed, the Land Office can provide vessels to access flooded areas and assist in rescue operations that are called into Texas Task Force 1. 

Once the search and rescue missions are complete, Texas General Land Office employees continue to protect human life and safety working with the US Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency, & Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in assessing the impacted area for oil and chemical spills.  The Land Office and the USCG then take the lead cleaning-up and removing the oil spills that pose a threat to human life & safety as well as the environment.