Hurricane Preparedness

Know Your Evacuation Routes Before a Storm

Jefferson County sits in a hurricane zone, and TxDOT has designated specific highways as evacuation routes — knowing them before a storm can save critical time.

Jefferson County Cars & Driving

Jefferson County is on the upper Texas Gulf Coast and is directly in the path of Gulf hurricanes. US 69 runs north from Port Arthur toward Lumberton and beyond and serves as a key evacuation corridor. During major evacuations, TxDOT can activate contraflow lanes — converting inbound lanes to outbound — to move traffic faster inland.

Do not wait for an official order to plan your route. Fuel up early; gas stations run out fast during evacuations. Check drivetexas.org for real-time road conditions and txdot.gov for official hurricane preparation maps. Follow Jefferson County emergency management and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (tdem.texas.gov) for shelter and zone information.

Source to confirm: TxDOT — Hurricane Preparation and Evacuation

More Jefferson County notes

Property Tax Basics

Jefferson County Has Two Separate Property Tax Offices

The Jefferson County Appraisal District sets your property value, while the Tax Assessor-Collector handles billing and payment — these are two different offices with different phone numbers.

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Homestead Exemption

Homestead Exemption Cuts Your School Tax Bill

Texas law requires school districts to subtract $140,000 from your home's taxable value if it is your primary residence — you apply through the Jefferson County Appraisal District.

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Agricultural Valuation

Farm and Ranch Land Can Be Taxed on Productivity, Not Market Value

Qualifying agricultural land in Jefferson County can be appraised on what it produces rather than what it would sell for, which usually means a much lower tax bill.

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Coastal Windstorm Coverage

Jefferson County Requires Special Windstorm Insurance

Jefferson County is a first-tier coastal county. Standard home insurance often does not cover wind and hail here. You may need a separate policy through TWIA.

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