September is National Preparedness Month, and the City of Austin Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM) encourages Austinites to start a conversation with friends and family about planning for disasters before they happen. Learning to become resilient is a process that can begin with a single conversation.
“It can be scary to think about all the bad things that can happen after a disaster. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and avoid talking about disasters or trying to make the right decisions for your family,” said Interim Director of the Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, Bill Wilson. “This year, we encourage everyone to take the first step and start a conversation with your loved ones about disaster planning. We are here to help make the process easier for you. Planning ahead and following the steps to be prepared will give you confidence, help you recover more quickly, and relieve a lot of the stress associated with disasters.”
Four Steps of Preparedness
Make a Plan
It does not matter if a disaster is weather-related or man-made; having a plan in place is the first step to emergency preparedness and can reduce its impact on you, your family, or your home. Knowing what to do in an emergency situation is key to being resilient and prepared.
Austin HSEM’s Neighborhood Preparedness Guide is designed to help residents with all types of hazards before, during, and after they occur. Tips on what to do at each stage assist in being more prepared when disaster strikes.
Make a Kit
Having an emergency supplies kit ready is crucial in case there is a need to evacuate or shelter in place for multiple days. Shelter-in-place emergency kits should include 1 gallon of water per person per day and food for seven days.
A few other items for your kit include blankets, clothes, flashlights, batteries, prescription medications, and items for children like games and toys. Build a kit on a budget by collecting items over time if needed.
Don’t forget pets; ensure their needs such as food, water, crates, and identifying documents are included in your planning.
Know Your Neighbors
Good relationships with neighbors can save lives by being aware of any special medical needs that might complicate evacuation during an emergency. Establishing relationships within neighborhoods could be critical during crises.
Stay Informed
Having up-to-date information during an emergency is crucial. Sign up for emergency alerts from Warn Central Texas at WarnCentralTexas.org for early warnings via text, phone call, or email.
Include a battery-operated weather radio in your emergency supplies kit for alerts issued by the National Weather Service and manmade events. These radios can be life-saving during tornadoes, flash floods, wildfires, or terrorist events.
Sign up for the Accessible Hazards Alert System (AHAS) at atc.ahasalerts.com or by texting AHAS to 737-241-3710 for messages in American Sign Language (ASL) and English voice/text formats.
During emergencies, Austin HSEM will provide updates on its Alerts webpage www.austintexas.gov/alerts available in 14 languages. Follow local news outlets on social media pages as well as @AustinHSEM on X/Twitter and Facebook for quick updates.
Disaster Planning Guidance and Resources
Many departments support National Preparedness Month with programs aiding residents’ emergency planning:
Austin-Travis County EMS offers important tips.
The Austin Fire Department highlights wildfire risks due to Central Texas's wildland urban interface.
Austin Energy advises on power outage preparedness plans.
The Watershed Protection Department emphasizes flood safety given Austin's location in Flash Flood Alley.
Austin Public Health provides guidance on food safety during power outages; visit fda.gov for additional information.
Join Your Community
Austin HSEM hosts various community events:
The 3rd Annual Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair takes place Thursday, September 19 at ACC Rio Grande campus from 3-7 p.m., featuring over two dozen vendors.
Monthly Emergency Preparedness Pop-Ups occur at different Austin Public Library locations reflecting district-specific weather threats.
Quarterly Ready Together training sessions offer classroom-based preparedness education; register at ReadyCentralTexas.org.
Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management
5010 Old Manor Road,
Austin TX 78723
(512) 974-0450
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