2023 Hurricane Season guide for South Texas, Corpus Christi

Preparation for a big storm is essential if you live on the Gulf Coast. Here's what experts suggest you have ready to go in case of a storm.

John-Thomas Kobos, Haley Williams (KIII)

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Have a plan

Evacuation routes for the Coastal Bend

Survival Kit

Here's what you should pack in your hurricane kit

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas

June 1 is the start of meteorological summer, and also the first day of hurricane season.

Forecasters are predicting a "near-normal" season, but Mike Brennan, the new director at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, stressed during a Wednesday news conference that there's really nothing normal when it comes to hurricanes.

"A normal season might sound good in comparison to some of the hurricane seasons in the past few years," he said. "But there's nothing good about a near-normal hurricane season in terms of activity."

When a storm comes toward the coast, some may feel the best thing to do is get out of the path. Local leaders may set mandatory evacuations as well, so it is important to have a plan.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said to be sure all of your family members know where to meet, who is riding with who, and how you are going to get where you are going.

Making sure your car's tank is full of gas is important, as evacuation routes can get crowded and you may end up idling for an extended period of time. For that reason, it is also important to have food and water for the trip.

It is also important to know the area's evacuation routes. For Corpus Christi, you should know what "evacuation zone" you are in. The city updated their evacuation zone map in 2020.

The zone you are in will determine what evacuation route to take. This is to try and prevent traffic jams while people are trying to leave.

TxDOT also has this map for evacuations through I37. Evacuees should consider the travel path of the hurricane and their destination in choosing evacuation routes. Listen to local authorities and emergency broadcasts about weather and highway conditions.

Members of the community are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts through ReverseAlert. You can do that here.

When you leave, it is imperative that you have items for basic survival.

For your convenience, we have compiled an Amazon list of suggestions for your evacuation kit. Click here to see that list.

If you are planning to evacuate, officials with the Corpus Christi Fire Department said to be sure to take at least the items marked with an asterisk (*).1) Food/Water* 2) Bottled water (1 gallon per person per day) for 14 days* 3) Manual can opener* 4) Non-perishable foods*:

5) Supplies

6) Cooking:

7) Personal Supplies*:

8) Baby Needs*:

9) Documents*:

10) Pet supplies (remember - shelters do NOT allow pets - plan to board them with a veterinarian or local humane society)

11) Other necessities:

3NEWS is once again giving away hurricane kits. You can register here for your chance to win one.

Be sure to watch the 3NEWS Hurricane Special on June 4 at 6 p.m.