2020 Hurricane Season Preparations and Tropical Storm Cristobal
| Date: |
June 5, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Subject: | 2020 Hurricane Season Preparations and Tropical Storm Cristobal |
| Category: |
Commissioner |
| Next Steps: |
Share with appropriate staff |
The purpose of this communication is to provide information related to the 2020 hurricane season (June 1 – November 30) for local education agencies (LEAs). The Texas Education Agency will work with your LEA and local Education Service Center (ESC) to ensure students and staff are safe, policies and processes from the agency are clear, and the recovery – if needed – is efficient and effective.
In addition, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expects Tropical Storm Cristobal to produce heavy rainfall into portions of the Gulf Coast from east Texas to Florida this weekend into early next week, with areas of flash flood possible.
The following table outlines important information for LEAs related to critical next steps, how to communicate with TEA, and key preparedness resources:
Critical Next Steps for LEAs to Take Now
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1. Actively and frequently communicate with your staff and families |
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2. Identify and update your LEA’s protocols related to decision-making, communication, and staff roles and responsibilities |
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3. Make sure you are receiving information from – and able to communicate with – the Texas Department of Emergency Management, your local emergency management authority, and your Regional Education Service Center |
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4. Review and update your LEA’s procurement policies to ensure flexibility and compliance with state and federal guidelines |
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5. Review and update your LEA’s insurance policies to ensure comprehensive coverage and alignment with relevant LEA policies and procedures |
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6. Should your LEA be impacted by the storm, document all disaster response-related expenses immediately |
What You Can Expect from TEA Related to Communication
| How to Communicate with TEA | Next steps for the LEA |
|---|---|
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Commissioner Morath’s Superintendent Hotline is available to superintendents – a TEA staff member will answer (The Superintendent Hotline was temporarily paused in March, but has been re-instated) |
Only current superintendents may use the Superintendent Hotline. If you do not know the number, please email disasterinfo@tea.texas.gov |
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Via email to disasterinfo@tea.texas.gov |
For less urgent questions or requests, please email disasterinfo@tea.texas.gov and make sure this email is approved by your spam filters. |
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An important responsibility of TEA is to report any LEA impact to the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM). Your local ESCs are responsible for communicating to TEA any school closings, or related disaster information. |
Please ensure you are communicating with your ESC and that you maintain up-to-date contact information with your ESC’s leadership. |
Key Resources to Assist with Hurricane Season Preparation
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Resource |
How To Access |
|---|---|
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National Hurricane Center website |
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FEMA’s COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season |
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FEMA webinars related to COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season |
Webinar: FEMA Adobe Connect 12 – 1 p.m. CST on Monday, June 8. Webinar: FEMA Adobe Connect 2 – 3 p.m. CST on Wednesday, June 10. |
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 2020 Hurricane Season During COVID-19 |
https://emergency.cdc.gov/epic/learn/2020/webinar_20200527.asp |