BEAUMONT, Texas —
With invest 92l developing in the Gulf, officials said mother nature is already keeping them on their toes.
The disturbance in the Gulf has now climbed to a 70 percent chance of development in the next two to five days.
Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick said all eyes are on the tropical disturbance.
Branick said have been through this before, so their best tactic is to stay ready, so they do not have to get ready.
"All of our emergency management plans are in place and we intend to follow those unless we get a real unique curveball in which case we'll adjust and adapt," Branick siad.
The county is in constant communication with the Texas Division of Emergency Management and the National Hurricane Center to get updates.
The county is also keeping its pre-disaster contracts with several vendors on standby in the event Branick enters a disaster declaration.
“As always with any weather event, whether it is a tropical storm, hurricane or heavy rain event, we will always have sand available in all the precincts for citizens who desire to fill up sandbags and protect their homes,” Branick said.
Branick said local leaders should not be the only ones in prep mode.
“Well, I think it is always important that everybody in Southeast Texas go to ready.gov and look at those pre-disaster preparation checklist,” he said.
A list of thing people are advised to pack are booklet of cellphone numbers and emails of relatives and friends, medication and medical items, critical documents placed in a waterproof container, non-perishable food and water, protective gear and items that comfort you during tough times.
Southeast Texans said hurricanes are a part of life when you live on the Gulf Coast, and they are always either prepared to leave or fight the storm.