A Laguna Heights man who has lived through multiple hurricanes says coastal residents need to know when it's time to leave.

Arnold Ochoa has spent most of his life watching storms threaten the coast. He says he doesn't need a reminder to know how dangerous they can be.

Ochoa said he remembers hurricanes like Allen and Dolly and even the Laguna Heights tornado that killed one man in May 2023.

After years of storms, Ochoa says not every home in Laguna Heights could survive the next big hurricane.

Ochoa spoke with Channel 5 News during a walkthrough with the National Weather Service. Together they pointed out the difference between homes built to better handle strong winds and others that couldn't survive a storm.

National Weather Service Warning Coordinator Barry Goldsmith noted what separates stronger structures from weaker ones.

Goldsmith says stronger home foundations, roof bracing, and anchoring can make a major difference during a hurricane and strong winds. He says even small improvements can help save homes and lives.

"It's like how do you build up your resilience and reduce your risk to wind, and this is better than that," Goldsmith said.

For Ochoa, the most important part of hurricane preparation is knowing when it's time to go.

Ochoa recounted his experiences ahead of Channel 5 News’ upcoming Facing the Fury special.

The half-hour special will air on Thursday, May 28, at 6:30 p.m. 

The Channel 5 Weather Team is taking a closer look at what you need to know before the next storm threatens the Rio Grande Valley.

Preparing now could help reduce the impact of a disaster later.

Watch the video above for the full story.