Hurricane Season: Guide to Creating a Family Emergency Fund if You Live in Louisiana, Texas, and Florida

• Hurricane season is already underway, and the key recommendation is to prepare a family emergency fund.
• Texas and Florida are the states with the highest number of hurricanes, and without financial preparation, Hispanic families remain vulnerable.
• The immediate step is to combine an evacuation plan with a financial emergency kit to support your household.

The official season runs from June 1 to November 30 and is expected to be more intense than usual.

Meteorologists from The Weather Channel forecast up to 19 named storms, nine hurricanes, and four Category 3 or stronger:

• Florida tops the historical list of hurricanes, and Texas comes second.
• Louisiana—hit by disasters such as Katrina and Ida—remains one of the most vulnerable states.

Family Emergency Fund: Your First Line of Defense

A family emergency fund should cover at least one week of basic expenses such as transportation, food, and lodging.

Saving little by little, even with minimal weekly contributions, will allow you to build a “financial cushion.”

The lesson is clear: it’s not enough to just follow weather alerts—you also need to be financially prepared.

This fund prevents you from resorting to loans or high-interest credit cards, something crucial for those already dealing with debt.

Financial Emergency Kit: Essentials You Need

In addition to the evacuation plan, a financial emergency kit is indispensable.

• Keep some cash at home for fuel or quick purchases when ATMs are down.
• Reserve one credit card exclusively for emergencies; it will allow you to record expenses reimbursable by your insurance.
• Protect key documents (licenses, birth certificates, Social Security cards) in a waterproof case.

Emergency Savings: How to Start Now

Building an emergency savings fund requires consistency and clear goals.

Setting a target—such as covering one week of expenses—is the best motivation to get started.

• Set up automatic transfers or put aside a fixed amount from each paycheck.
• As you review your progress, you’ll see your fund grow and reinforce the habit.
• Even small weekly savings add up to big results over time.

Emergency Contact Numbers

We are approaching the peak of Atlantic hurricane season. Make sure your home is protected with flood insurance. Call the National Flood Insurance Program at 877-336-2627 or visit https://t.co/VZ5PJUJrhu for more information. pic.twitter.com/1gSEjUQ1EC

— FEMA en español (@FEMAespanol) September 2, 2025

Florida

• Hurricane Information Line: 850-815-4000 (Florida Division of Emergency Management)
• FEMA Assistance Line: 1-800-621-3362

Texas

• Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM): 512-424-2208
• FEMA Line: 1-800-621-3362

Louisiana

• Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP): 225-925-7500
• FEMA Line: 1-800-621-3362

Important: All states recommend dialing 911 in case of immediate emergency.

What’s Next

The peak of hurricane season arrives between August and October.

There is still time to build your family emergency fund and organize your financial emergency kit.

It’s not just about flashlights or water—it’s about protecting your family’s financial well-being against the unexpected.