Storm season has made it’s way to the region and the Levelland-Hockley County Emergency Management is urging residents and business owners to register for weather related and emergency notifications to stay informed and alerted in case of emergencies.
Residents are encouraged to go to RUAWARE.US to register for Hockley County Alerts. Business Owners in Hockley County can go to https://r.iinfo. com/hockleycobizcontact for business alerts.
Also, individuals are encouraged to check their wireless device has the “emergency alerts by location” turned on. That will allow notifications to come through similar to the amber alerts but are initiated locally for emergency situations such as tornado warning or dynamic police incidents.
Individuals should not assume that getting amber alerts to their phone their settings are correct for the notification; people will have to allow location alerts.
What location alert means is it will send the message based off geographical boundaries; the alert can be isolated to a specific area for only those within the preset boundary to receive the notification. This is a voluntary activation as amber alert system is not voluntary.
All alerts through this system come from local officials; never spam, solicitation calls, text messages or emails. All of the text messages will come from the same number so it can be saved in contacts to be easily recognized.
The phone calls will come through with the office of emergency management number 806-568-5487 so it can be saved and easily recognizable as well.
Drought conditions are continuing to improve with the consistent rainfall the area has been receiving. However, severe thunderstorm conditions have accompanied the much needed rainfall.
Hail ranging from pea size to tennis balls have already been accounted for throughout the area and residents are encouraged to be aware of severe weather conditions to stay safe along with being mindful of property that could be damaged due to intense weather conditions.
In addition to storm season, grass fires are still a possibility for much of the Texas area that is fuel loaded.
The Texas A&M Forest Service encourages residents to prepare for grass fires.
Since Jan. 1, state and local firefighters have responded to 1,166 wildfires that have burned 39,167 acres statewide. By this time last year, firefighters had responded to 6,343 wildfires that burned more than 518,000 acres.
Despite the difference in activity levels, the threat of wildfire is continual for the state. Four to five weeks of dry conditions will result in a substantial increase in wildfire activity, as vegetation dries and becomes receptive to burning.
“The actions that homeowners take before a wildfire ignites are crucial to reducing structural ignitability and providing a safe environment for firefighters to work,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. “The agency has responded to countless wildfires where mitigation measures were implemented well in advance of a wildfire event, which saved homes and lives.”
There are simple measures that anyone can do around their home to decrease susceptibility to wildfire.
Keep the area within five feet around structures free of combustible material, such as mulch, plants, firewood stacks and patio furniture.
For the area within 5-30 feet of a structure, keep grass mowed and rake away vegetative debris.
Keep a healthy, wellmaintained landscape. Make sure your plants are properly spaced, low growing and free of resins, oils and waxes that burn easily.
Remove dead vegetation from under the deck of your home.
Prune trees so that lowhanging branches do not touch the ground. Avoid pruning oak trees from February through June to avoid the spread of oak wilt, and always paint oak wounds.
While wildfire activity has been minimal this year compared to 2022, hot and dry conditions typical of a Texas summer will create an environment more supportive of ignitions.
“Though rains have helped decrease wildfire potential, we encourage everyone to be careful with outdoor activities this holiday,” said Karen Stafford, Texas A&M Forest Service Prevention Program Coordinator. For Texas, nine out of 10 wildfires are human-caused and preventable. The most common causes of wildfires during the summer months are debris burning and equipment use, which includes parking in dry grass and dragging trailer chains.
Heading into summer, keep the following tips in mind to help prevent wildfires: - Always check with local officials for burn bans and other outdoor burning restrictions. Pay attention to local guidelines regarding open fires, campfires and outdoor activities that may pose a fire hazard.
Hockley County is currently not under a burn ban. Kirkland explained that residents within the county have been doing an exceptional job following the current rules. He also added that recent grass fires within the area can be attributed to factors that aren’t associated with burning.
- Park in designated spaces and avoid driving over and parking on dry grass; the heat from your vehicle can easily ignite the grass.
- When using a cooking fire or campfire, never leave it unattended. Always make sure it is completely out by drowning it with water, stirring it and feeling to ensure that it is out cold before you leave.
- If pulling a trailer, make sure the tow chains are properly connected and not dragging on the road creating sparks.
- Be careful when discarding cigarettes, matches and other potential ignition sources. Dispose of them in designated containers.