Emergency manager warns of active 2024 hurricane season; court imposes temporary burn ban

Dee Hawkins, Nueces County emergency management coordinator, briefed commissioners June 18 that NOAA and other forecasters expected an active 2024 Atlantic hurricane season and warned of an imminent tropical event.

Hawkins said record‑warm sea surface temperatures and reduced vertical wind shear could produce increased storm formation and intensification this season. The county had been placed under a tropical storm warning for what meteorologists were calling Alberto; Hawkins said the storm was expected to affect the South Texas coast with heavy rain, coastal inundation and gusty winds. He highlighted 2–3 feet of potential coastal inundation in low‑lying areas and named specific flood‑prone roads and parks the county was monitoring.

Hawkins told the court the county had elevated its emergency operations capability to a virtual level 3 and coordinated with city emergency operations centers and the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Sandbags had been staged for partner cities and county public works crews were clearing drains and preparing parks and coastal assets.

After the briefing the court discussed county fire danger indices and, citing rising dryness and recent wildfire activity, voted to issue a temporary county burn ban effective immediately and to ratify the ban at the July 17 Commissioners Court meeting if conditions had not improved. The judge and commissioners noted they could rescind the ban earlier if conditions improved.

Provenance: Presentation by Dee Hawkins and subsequent Commissioners Court motion and vote to impose a temporary burn ban, June 18, 2024.