Storm Information for Guests

During the summer on Galveston Island, there is always the chance that you may be leaving the island sooner than expected due to the threat of a tropical storm or a mandatory hurricane evacuation. Please read all of the following information and call us at 409.797.5500 or email our team at [email protected] if you have any questions. 

Storm updates: Sand `N Sea carefully monitors all storm threats. We will provide updates to our guests via our website, social media, mobile phone, email, and text. 

What we do: If Galveston County officials announce an upcoming mandatory evacuation, we will attempt to contact you promptly on the cell phone number you provided during the reservation process. You will be instructed to follow the guidelines found in this section; please do so as quickly and thoroughly as you can. If you cannot physically complete the items on the list, let us know when you check out. 

Time is of the essence in an evacuation. We are all aware of the logistical problems of a coastal evacuation and the importance of timely evacuation. Sand `N Sea will work diligently to have all guests and staff safely off the Island as quickly as possible. 

Please do not go back to the beach or continue your recreational activities once you’ve been notified of an evacuation. The weather may be great at the moment, but the work to evacuate is difficult and time-consuming. Please be considerate and remember that, in addition to our guests, we need to secure all the houses and company facilities as well as evacuate our staff and their families. 

Tropical storms: If we do not have a mandatory evacuation, but still expect to feel the effects of a storm, you will be required to leave. Remember, we may still be facing a very serious situation, and weather conditions in this area can deteriorate rapidly. Storms can quickly intensify and unexpectedly change direction. Also, West Galveston sits at or below sea level, and it is the first area on the island to flood from storm surges or higher-than-usual tides. Roads quickly become impassable, and cars flood. 

After an evacuation, please check our website (sandnsea.com) and social media accounts for updates about re-entry onto the island. We will post information on our homepage or text/email you, providing we have phone service, internet service and/or electricity. We try to keep our phone lines clear during this time so that we may communicate with Galveston County officials, so please check these resources rather than call our office. 

We are thankful that we have valuable guests and friends such as you. We are extremely concerned about your safety and well-being. Please make sure to follow these guidelines during your stay so that you and your family can make many happy returns to Galveston Island. 

Thank you! 

Hurricane Season: June 1 through November 30 is officially designated as hurricane season for our area.

Phase I: Hurricane Alert This means that a hurricane is in the general vicinity, and though it may be several hundred miles away, it appears to be heading towards us. During this phase, it may change course and go somewhere else. 

Phase II: Hurricane Watch A Hurricane Watch is generally announced when the anticipated onset of tropical storm force winds is approximately 48 hours away. 

Phase III: Hurricane Warning A Hurricane Warning is announced when a hurricane is expected to strike this location in 36 hours with sustained winds of 74 mph or more accompanied by heavy rain and high waves. 

Advisory: A message released by the National Hurricane Center, usually in six-hour intervals, updating information on the storm or hurricane, including watches and warnings wherever they are in effect. A special advisory is a message given when there is a significant change in weather conditions or a change in warnings previously released. An intermediate advisory updates information at two to three hour intervals whenever a watch or warning is in effect. 

Tropical Disturbance: A fast moving area of thunderstorms in the tropics, maintaining its structure for 24+ hours. 

Eye of the Hurricane: The relatively calm area near the center of the storm. In the eye, winds are light and the sky is often partially cloudy. Do not go outside even though it appears that the hurricane has passed. Some hurricane eyes are very small and the wind can rapidly return from the opposite direction from which it last appeared. 

Storm Surge: A rise in tides caused by a hurricane as it moves over or near the coastline. It can be much higher than normal tidal rise, with breaking waves on top. Storm surge often causes coastal flooding. 

Tornado Watch: Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are possible in that area. 

Tornado Warning: Tornado detected in your area: TAKE SHELTER. 

Water Spout: A relatively small tornado over water with winds rarely exceeding 50 mph.

Monitor the storm: Storm conditions can change radically in the matter of one hour. Listen to the radio and watch TV reports. Stay alert for messages from Sand `N Sea and be prepared to leave quickly. 

Be cautious of beach swimming! It’s best to stay out of the water. Northern winds cause rough water conditions, including strong undertows and rip currents. Be especially watchful with young children; even water of wading depth has enough current to knock them down into the wash. 

Drive carefully! As a storm approaches, tides rise. When driving on roadways near the beach, realize that water in your path may be saltwater, and try not to drive through it. (Saltwater is toxic to cars and their electrical systems.) If you must drive through it, proceed very slowly and don’t splash water on your undercarriage or onto other cars. 

Listen to radio or television or check online for the most up-to-date information. If conditions worsen, an evacuation could be ordered.

Radio: KTRH 740AM is the official radio broadcast channel for the Houston/Galveston area. 

Television: The Weather Channel is channel 27 on Comcast networks or channel 214 on DISH networks. 

Websites: 

• Sand `N Sea on Facebook - facebook.com/SandNSeaProperties 
• The Weather Channel - weather.com 
• Weather Underground - wunderground.com
• Space City Weather - spacecityweather.com
• City of Galveston - galvestontx.gov
• National Hurricane Center - nhc.noaa.gov
• Galveston Office of Emergency Management - gcoem.org

The West End is extremely prone to flooding. This can leave guests without a safe, dry place to park vehicles. Flooding not only ruins cars, but also makes roads impassable, resulting in no access for assistance for several days after a storm. 

Power outages can last from several hours to several days. This can lead to uncomfortable and/or life-threatening conditions, as well as spoiled groceries. 

If there are power outages or impassable roads, vacation homes are not equipped with the emergency supplies you would need (food, water, batteries, radios, medical supplies, etc.).

If a mandatory evacuation has been ordered, it is because our local and state governments have decided that we are in danger. Remember, there is only one way off the Island - the causeway - and once the roads flood, there is no other option. Time is of the essence in a storm situation and the West End floods long before any other area of Galveston Island. Sand `N Sea employees cannot leave until we know our guests are safely off the Island and all of our vacation properties are secure. Here's what you'll need to do: 

There are many challenges with mandatory evacuations – major traffic problems, gas shortages, etc. Please don’t continue vacationing. Begin your preparations to leave immediately. 

We appreciate our guests helping us to secure beach houses but don’t do anything unsafe for you, such as lifting or moving a heavy object. Please follow the checklist further down this page and be sure to return your keys to the lockbox at the home.

Sand `N Sea cannot be responsible for anything that is left in the home. Do not plan on being able to come back and retrieve items that are left behind. If you accidentally leave something, we will not be able to retrieve it. All items left in the house are disposed of during the recovery clean-up process.

Most likely, the power will go off and food will spoil and ruin the refrigerator. Please help our recovery teams by removing all food from the house when you leave, including non-perishables.

To make sure we have evacuated everyone, you MUST let us know you have departed. 

Call us at 409.797.5500, message us through your Guest Portal, or email us at [email protected]. Include your name, the name of your vacation home, and the date & time of your departure. This documentation also helps you file travel insurance claims quickly.

Once storm conditions have passed and we have finished our post-storm inspections we will reach out to impacted guests to help with additional travel insurance documentation, etc.

Over the years, we have found that it is difficult for Sand `N Sea to mobilize enough manpower to adequately “storm prep" all of our vacation homes. We are hoping that you will help us and our property owners. Before you leave, please do as many of the following tasks as possible. Only do what you can; please do not lift or move anything too heavy. It should take your group less than 20 minutes to tend to these duties. We appreciate your help!

• Shut and tightly latch all windows (please push every latch with your thumb).
• Shut and tightly latch all doors, including sliding glass doors, storm doors, and interior doors. 
• Close all curtains, drapes, and vertical blinds. 
• Lower all shutters. 
• Unplug all appliances, including TVs, modems, small kitchen appliances, etc.
• Turn A/C thermostat controls located on each floor to the "OFF" position. 
• Leave the elevator car on the top floor with the door open. 
• Make sure the entry door is locked behind you and the shutter is down (if there is one).

• Secure trash containers by storing them inside the outdoor shower (if available).
• Latch outdoor shower doors.
• Secure anything else that may blow or float around. Stow in the garage, outdoor shower, or other protected area.