Build Your Emergency Plan

Start by thinking about who is in your household and what emergencies you’re most likely to face. Then follow the step-by-step guide on this page, or download our checklist to work through it at your own pace. Don’t worry about doing it all at once—any planning is better than none.

Designate an out-of-town emergency contact everyone can check in with. Choose local and outside-the-area meeting spots in case cell networks go down. Make sure children and older adults know your plan and practice it with them.

The most common emergencies in the Houston area include hurricanes, flash flooding, extreme heat, chemical incidents, and power outages. Each can affect neighborhoods differently depending on location and resources. We recommend preparing for at least 3 days of sheltering in place or evacuation.

Talk to your doctor or device provider about manual alternatives or battery backups. Register with your local utility for medical priority restoration (if available). If you rely on power for survival, register with the STEAR Program so emergency planners know your needs in advance.

Start by making a list of everyone who lives with you or relies on you for care. Include children, older adults, roommates, and people with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Think through each person's needs for mobility, communication, medications, and support. Your plan should include contact info, go-bags, and a shared meeting place.

Make a sensory kit with familiar and soothing items. Use visual schedules or social stories if that helps someone feel calmer during change. Create simple communication cards with pictures or keywords that explain needs or emotions. Let shelters or caregivers know in advance if someone in your household is nonverbal or has specific triggers.

Contact your child’s school or daycare and ask for their emergency plan. Make sure they have up-to-date contact and medical information. Ask how reunification will work if you’re separated. You can also give the school a copy of your child’s ID card and a photo of them with you.

ESAs are not legally guaranteed access like service animals, but some shelters may allow them. It’s best to call ahead or check the city’s emergency announcements for shelter-specific rules.

Coordinate with any facilities or home care agencies they use. Keep copies of their medications, doctor contacts, and a list of daily care needs. Pack a go-bag with items they’ll need if they have to evacuate or shelter elsewhere.

Yes—emergencies can affect anyone. Know where the nearest hospital, police station, and shelter are. Ask your hotel or host about emergency protocols. Save the City of Houston Emergency Info page and sign up for local alerts even if you’re just in town temporarily.

Not all shelters accept pets, but many cities have designated pet-friendly shelters during major emergencies. Service animals are always allowed under federal law. Plan ahead by identifying which shelters allow animals and pack a go-bag for your pet with food, documents, and comfort items.

The City of Houston and Harris County provide transportation assistance in many emergencies, but you must register in advance through the STEAR program. If you're a tourist, follow official city evacuation notices and use public transit or designated shuttle pickup points when available.

We recommend reviewing your plan every 6 months or whenever there’s a major life change, like a new baby, a move, a new diagnosis, or a school change.

Yes, but be cautious. Information spreads quickly, and not always accurately. Rely on official city and county emergency pages for updates. Texting may work better than calling when networks are overloaded.

Both. Store digital copies on your phone and email them to yourself or a trusted contact. Keep a paper copy in your go-bag and another at home in a waterproof folder.

Many emergency alerts in Houston are available in Spanish and Vietnamese, with some also available in Chinese and Arabic. On this site, we aim to provide translated resources and clear, easy-to-understand guides. You can also call 311 for help in multiple languages.

Keep a paper list of key phone numbers in your wallet or go-bag. You can also write one on a notecard and tape it inside a child’s bag. Pack a portable power bank and charger. If you rely on assistive tech, have manual backups if possible.

Use visual communication cards, gestures, or a note. Include their preferred method of communication in your plan. Some emergency shelters provide ASL interpreters or remote interpreting—ask ahead or request one when arriving.

Bring copies of:

• Photo ID

• Insurance cards

• Birth certificates (especially for children)

• Disability documentation or medical records

• Medication lists and prescriptions

• Power of attorney or guardianship papers (if applicable)

Keep both paper and digital versions if possible, and protect physical copies in a waterproof pouch.

Include phone numbers and addresses of where to request replacements (DMV, health providers, etc.). Save photos or scans to a secure cloud service or email them to yourself in advance.

Stress is natural, but preparation helps reduce panic. Build your plan calmly in advance, practice it, and pack calming items like music, fidget tools, or comfort objects. For kids, explain emergencies in age-appropriate ways. Include mental health support resources in your plan.

Yes. Houston has 24/7 mental health hotlines. You can also text HELLO to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor or call the Harris Center’s Mental Health Line: 713-970-7000.

Coordinate with your building manager to learn evacuation procedures, stairwell access, and generator backup. Talk to neighbors about helping one another, especially if you or someone nearby has a disability.

• Trim trees and clear drains before storm season

• Anchor heavy furniture if you have small children or mobility challenges

• Keep flashlights and batteries in easy-to-reach places

• Know how to turn off your gas, water, and electricity in an emergency