Emergency Preparedness

A drought is a period of abnormally dry weather that persists long enough to produce a serious hydrologic imbalance, causing, for example, crop damage and shortages in the water supply. The best way to prepare for a drought is to conserve water. Make conserving water a part of your daily life. Check with your local authorities or water utility for information on water restrictions that may be imposed for your area. 

In an emergency, you may not have access to essentials like running water or electricity. At Ready.gov, the federal government shares recommendations on how to build an emergency supply kit to prepare to be self‐sufficient for at least three days.

An extreme heat event is a series of hot days, much hotter than average for a particular time and place. Learn how to stay safe during a heat wave and how to treat heat-related illness like heat exhaustion. 

Floods can result from rain, snow, coastal storms, storm surges, overflows of rivers, and dam failure. Flooding can develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can be sudden and violent. Learn about the types of flooding that can impact your home and how to prepare now to protect yourself and your loved ones. 

During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives. Learn how you can prevent home fires, escape from a home fire in 2 minutes, and recover after a home fire.

A power outage occurs when the electrical power goes out. Planned or unexpected, it can last for days or longer, disrupting many services in your neighborhood or country/city. This may impact needs such as lighting, heating, cooling, communication, food and medicine refrigeration, cooking, and medical equipment. Plan now to have what you need and to know how to stay safe. 

Tornadoes are dangerous. They can knock down buildings, uproot trees, move vehicles, and destroy things in their path. Heavy rains, lightning, flash flooding, and hail are possible. Tornadoes can happen anywhere. Prepare now so you can stay safe and understand the difference between warnings and watches.  

The Red Cross believes that by working together to improve water competency – which includes swimming skills, water smarts, and helping others – water activities can be safer… and just as much fun. Know what to do in a water emergency – including how to help someone in trouble in the water safely, call for emergency help, and perform CPR. 

Wildfires affect everyone. They can spread fast and harm us. Wildfires are getting bigger and more dangerous. More people are living in areas at risk for wildfires, but we can prepare. The American Red Cross has resources to prepare your household.

Winter storms can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, sleet, heavy snowfall, ice, and high winds. These storms can cause transportation, heat, power, and communication disruptions. Prepare now to protect yourself and your home/apartment.

Find the TXST winter storm checklist online.