FAQs • La Porte, TX • CivicEngage

Does registration with STEAR guarantee that I will be evacuated in a hurricane?: Registration with STEAR only provides the City with information on where individuals who register live, in order to facilitate the evacuation of those living in mandatory evacuation areas. Not all La Porte residents will live within mandatory evacuation areas. All residents should make plans to evacuate during a hurricane if they feel they would not be able to sustain their basic needs in their homes during and after the hurricane's impact.

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Evacuation Assistance

1. Who should register with State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR)?: Any La Porte resident who is unable to evacuate themselves should register with STEAR. This includes individuals with special medical needs, special transportation needs, or anyone needing assistance in evacuating. Register online.

2. Is the STEAR only for use during hurricanes ?: While the STEAR was developed initially for hurricane response, the information you provide can help the city locate and help provide evacuation assistance during a variety of types of disaster, including chemical releases, floods, and other incidents where you may need to evacuate your home.

3. Does registration with STEAR guarantee that I will be evacuated in a hurricane?: Registration with STEAR only provides the City with information on where individuals who register live, in order to facilitate the evacuation of those living in mandatory evacuation areas. Not all La Porte residents will live within mandatory evacuation areas. All residents should make plans to evacuate during a hurricane if they feel they would not be able to sustain their basic needs in their homes during and after the hurricane's impact.

4. If I don't live in a mandatory evacuation area, do I still need to register?: Hurricanes are not the only hazard that could impact La Porte. If you live outside of an evacuation area, you may still register for evacuation assistance in the event that another type of hazard, such as a hazardous chemical release, or a flood impacts your community.

5. I don't feel comfortable entering my information online, how else can I register?: You may dial 2-1-1 from any phone and speak with an operator who can register you for evacuation assistance.

6. What happens once I submit my form?: Once your form is completed and submitted, City staff enter it into a database that is then available for emergency service providers to get in contact with you in the event that an emergency affects your area. View the registration form (PDF).

7. How long does the City of Houston keep this information on file? What if I move?: The information you fill out on the STEAR is kept until January 1 of the following year. At that time, you will be encouraged to renew your registration by either filling out another form online, to call 2-1-1 or by mailing in a new form. This helps make sure that the information in the STEAR database is the most current.

Register online.

8. Can a STEAR Form be filled out for someone else?: If an individual you know may need assistance, with their permission, you may fill out the online form or call 2-1-1 for them. Some information needed for the form is fairly detailed, and will require input from the individual being registered or their caretaker.

View the registration form (PDF).

9. Do I have to fill one out for each individual in the home?: Yes, Each individual who needs assistance in evacuating must fill out a form. This allows emergency personnel to ensure transportation is provided for each person in your household. Facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living or other group homes should fill out a facility form instead of an individual form for each resident.

10. I've been ordered to evacuate but no one has contacted me? What should I do?: If you have been ordered to evacuate your area and are registered for the STEAR but no one has contacted you regarding transportation, contact the La Porte Office of Emergency Management at 281-470-0010.