Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones is strengthening storm readiness for the 2026 hurricane season with the launch of Precinct 4’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), new mobile generator hookups at community centers, and a comprehensive hurricane preparedness campaign to help residents stay safe, her office announced in a June 1 press release.

Effective June 1, Fonteno Senior Education Center will serve as the new Precinct 4 EOC, a cross-functional hub where Precinct 4 staff, public safety agencies, and partner organizations can coordinate emergency response and recovery operations. Located in Sharpstown at 6600 Bissonnet, one of the most highly populated areas of Harris County, the EOC is designed to support faster deployment of resources to families before, during, and after a storm.

“Preparedness is more than having a plan on paper -- it means having the right people, equipment, and systems in place to respond quickly when residents need us most,” said Briones. “As federal agencies face drastic cuts, Precinct 4 is stepping up to strengthen local disaster readiness. With our new Precinct 4 Emergency Operations Center and continued investments in roads, drainage, and community centers, we are better prepared to protect families.” The campaign includes preparedness workshops, public service announcements, and billboards to help residents make a plan, build an emergency kit, and access trusted information. Hosted by Commissioner Briones, in partnership with Sewa USA and AmeriCorps Texas, the free workshops provide practical guidance and resources to help residents plan ahead.

Workshops scheduled for the greater Katy area include:

· Masjid Al-Rahman Katy Center, 1800 Baker Rd., Houston – Saturday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

· Glazier Senior Education Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane, Houston – Tuesday, June 16 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

· Lien Hoa Temple, off Sugarland Howell Rd. and Bellaire Blvd., Houston – June 27 from 12 to 2 p.m.

· Hockley Community Center, 28515 Old Washington Rd., Hockley –June 29 from 1 to 2 p.m.

Residents can visit Precinct 4’s hurricane preparedness website at https://cp4.harriscountytx.gov/hurricanes to access evacuation routes, emergency kit checklists, and trusted weather and flood information from local, state, and federal partners. The site includes details on the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR). This free and confidential program helps first responders better assist people with medical, mobility, or transportation needs.

Precinct 4’s Road and Bridge team is also taking proactive steps to protect infrastructure. Crews are maintaining more than 1,600 miles of roads, nearly 800 bridges, and nearly 7 million feet of ditches to ensure safe access and proper drainage during storms.

Generators have been installed at essential facilities like Bayland Community Center, and backup generator connections are in place at five more community centers. Emergency supplies, including Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs), bottled water, and other essentials, are being pre-positioned. Cooling centers and distribution sites are also being prepared in case of power outages or extreme heat to help protect residents. For updates, workshop details, or assistance, visit Precinct 4’s Hurricane Preparedness website, call 832-927-4444, or email service@hcp4.net.