In a first for Willacy County, local leaders met with state officials to prepare for hurricane season as part of the county’s first ever emergency preparation conference.

Willacy County Emergency Management Coordinator Frank Torres said that as a coastal county, his focus is to get residents ready to evacuate.

The county is also preparing for the flooding that follows a storm.

For more hurricane coverage, visit our Hurricane Central page

That's where Torres stressed the importance of maintaining a partnership with the state group, Texas A&M Agrilife. 

Agrilife helped local officials identify flood prone areas - and ways they can work quicker to get storm warnings out to residents.

Torres says when it comes to even a category one hurricane with winds above 75 mile per hour, you don't want to risk riding out the storm. 

"Don't plan on staying home,” Torres said. “If the judge asks us to evacuate, please seek his or her advice."

Torres said residents can contact your local county emergency management office for any questions or concerns, or help with putting an evacuation plan.