RICHMOND, Texas — Fort Bend County has taken a major step toward strengthening its emergency preparedness by partnering with the Epicenter to significantly expand shelter capacity for residents during hurricanes and other large-scale disasters.
The agreement, approved by the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court, designates the Epicenter as a major emergency shelter that can be activated whenever the community faces a significant emergency. County leaders announced the partnership as hurricane season continues and Tropical Storm Bertha serves as a reminder of the importance of being prepared before disaster strikes.
Fort Bend County Judge Daniel Wong said the county is focused on preparing well before an emergency occurs.
“The time to prepare for the next major storm is not when it is already in the Gulf—the time to prepare is now,” Wong said. “We hope we never have to use the Epicenter as a mega shelter. But if the day comes when thousands of people need a safe place to go, Fort Bend County will be ready.”
The partnership between the Epicenter and the Fort Bend County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HS&EM) will provide additional shelter space for residents during evacuations or major emergencies, strengthening the county’s overall disaster response capabilities.
Greg Babst, Director of Fort Bend County Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said emergency preparedness depends on strong planning and community partnerships.
“This agreement gives us another significant resource that we can incorporate into our emergency response planning and provides additional capacity to shelter residents when the need arises,” Babst said.
County officials emphasized that the Epicenter’s centralized location will help accommodate a large number of residents during emergencies while improving coordination and response efforts.
Officials are also encouraging residents to prepare their own emergency plans by reviewing evacuation routes, identifying safe shelter locations, and ensuring they have emergency supplies and important documents ready before a storm threatens the region.
The new partnership reflects Fort Bend County’s ongoing commitment to investing in public safety, building resilient infrastructure, and ensuring families have access to safe shelter when disasters occur.
