Central Texas weather rarely gives residents much time to prepare. One day can bring blistering heat, while another brings severe storms and flash flooding—or sudden winter freezes that leave households without power for days.
When conditions turn, the middle of a crisis is not the best time to figure out what to do.
“People revert back to their training when faced with a crisis,” said Jim Redick, Austin Emergency Management director. “The more they train and rehearse during blue-sky days (non-weather event days), the more ‘muscle memory’ they will have when it’s needed the most.”
That is the message behind Emergency Preparedness Month and the work Austin Emergency Management does year-round. The department encourages residents to prepare by taking four straightforward steps: make a plan, build a kit, know your neighbors and stay informed.
What is the Austin Emergency Management Department?
Many residents may not think about Austin Emergency Management until a major emergency occurs, but its work starts long before a storm appears.
The department builds a communitywide emergency management system by identifying regional hazards, reducing vulnerabilities and developing plans alongside government agencies and community partners. During a disaster, it orchestrates response efforts from the city’s Emergency Operations Center and coordinates resources to help the community recover afterward.
While that behind-the-scenes work is vital, preparedness ultimately starts at home.
How can residents make an emergency plan?
When coming up with an emergency plan, start by considering hazards most likely to affect your home or neighborhood, such as flash flooding, severe storms, extreme heat, wildfires, winter weather or power outages.
Consider how household members will communicate, where they will meet if separated and multiple evacuation routes. Because emergencies can disrupt roads, communications and power, deciding these details in advance helps households act quickly under pressure.
Residents can use Austin Emergency Management’s Neighborhood Preparedness Guide to work through potential hazards and develop household plans, which should be reviewed and updated annually.
What should be included in an emergency kit?
“Having supplies in an emergency kit on hand is important because depending on the situation you may not be able to safely leave your home to go out and get them,” Redick said.
Austin Emergency Management recommends keeping a minimum of three days of nonperishable food and bottled water per person but strongly encourages seven days—a standard reflecting recent winter storms that left some Austinites without power for more than five days.
Kits should be customized with prescription medications, first-aid supplies, flashlights and batteries. Families with young children may pack comfort items or games, pet owners need supplies for their animals, and people with disabilities should include any specialized equipment.
To get a list of necessary items, visit the Emergency Supply Kit List—available in over a dozen languages.
AEM also distributes emergency supplies at its monthly Emergency Preparedness Pop-Ups, where the first 25 attendees receive a free basic supply starter kit.
Why is it important to know your neighbors during an emergency?
Getting to know neighbors before an emergency helps communities identify who may need assistance and who has skills, tools or resources that could prove useful during a crisis.
The Neighborhood Preparedness Guide includes worksheets to map local resources and create phone trees for checking on one another. That preparation matters because first responders may not reach every household immediately during a widespread emergency.
“You are the help until the help arrives,” Redick said. “Taking this step can help build resiliency within your community, which builds a stronger community.”
How can residents stay informed during an emergency?
Information changes quickly during an emergency, making it vital to know where to find reliable updates before a crisis begins.
Austin Emergency Management encourages Central Texans to register for alerts at WarnCentralTexas.org and turn on emergency notification settings on mobile devices to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts when life and property are at risk.
Redick recommends having multiple ways to receive information. The city shares updates on social media and AustinTexas.gov/Alerts, while local media offer additional coverage. A battery-operated AM/FM or weather radio provides access to news during power outages.
AEM has also partnered with Deaf Link to provide the Accessible Hazard Alert System, offering alerts in American Sign Language. Register by texting “AHAS” to 737-241-3710.
Together, these four steps can help households prepare before an emergency becomes an immediate threat.
What is the Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair?
For residents looking to get started—or strengthen an existing plan—Austin Emergency Management is bringing preparedness resources and community partners together in one place.
The fifth annual Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair on Sept. 18 is a free, family-friendly event featuring 30 government and nongovernmental organizations involved in disaster response. Attendees can connect with experts, learn about available resources and gather information to put the four steps into action.
The goal is to make emergency preparedness feel manageable and give residents a place to start before the next crisis occurs.
For Redick, the core message is simple: “A prepared community is a resilient community.”
Ready to get started?
Taking action today can make all the difference when tomorrow brings the unexpected. Whether downloading a planning guide, building a supply kit or following official update channels, connecting with Austin Emergency Management now helps residents prepare when it matters most.
Official websites: ReadyCentralTexas.org | austintexas.gov/emergency-management
Emergency and city alerts: WarnCentralTexas.org | austintexas.gov/alerts
City services and non-emergency inquiries: Call 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000
Accessible hazard alert system: Text "AHAS" to 737-241-3710
The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel, with the Community Impact Storytelling team, using information solely provided by the local business as part of its “sponsored content” purchase through our advertising team.
Why does Austin Emergency Management recommend a 7-day supply kit instead of 3 days?
FEMA traditionally recommends a 3-day supply kit, but Austin Emergency Management strongly encourages 7 days based on local conditions. Recent winter storms showed that severe weather can render roads impassable or disrupt power and water infrastructure across Central Texas for five days or longer.
Are emergency alerts and preparedness guides available in languages other than English?
Yes. Critical emergency updates posted at AustinTexas.gov/Alerts are available in 14 languages, including Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Arabic. Printed neighborhood guides are also published in Spanish, and AEM partners with Deaf Link to deliver accessible alerts in American Sign Language.
How do residents register for WarnCentralTexas alerts, and what notifications will they receive?
Residents can sign up for free at WarnCentralTexas.org by providing their address and contact preferences. Subscribers receive high-priority notifications about severe weather, emergency evacuations, hazardous spills, and major public safety threats impacting their specific neighborhood via text, phone call, or email.
Where can residents get free emergency supplies or starter kits in Austin?
Austin Emergency Management hosts monthly Emergency Preparedness Pop-Ups across the city where staff distribute them.tribute preparedness materials, and the first 25 attendees receive a free basic emergency starter kit. Residents can also pick up free supplies and meet community response organizations at the annual Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair.