Resources Shared by Regional Emergency Preparedness Leaders
The resources and preparedness recommendations shared in this article were highlighted during a recent Emergency Resilience Media Briefing hosted by the Houston Community Media (HCM) Network, featuring representatives from the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance, United Way of Greater Houston, and the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
In Greater Houston, emergency preparedness isn’t just about hurricane season—it’s about being ready for whatever comes next. From flooding and severe thunderstorms to extreme heat, winter weather, and prolonged power outages, our region experiences a variety of weather events throughout the year.
Preparedness begins with awareness. When businesses, apartment communities, and residents know where to find trusted information before an emergency occurs, they are better equipped to protect lives, safeguard property, and recover more quickly. Strong communities are built not only by the plans we make for ourselves, but by the information we share with one another.
One of the simplest ways to prepare is by bookmarking reliable emergency resources before they’re needed. The following websites and services provide official information, preparedness tools, alerts, and recovery assistance to help you stay informed before, during, and after an emergency.
Emergency Resources to Bookmark Today
Ready Harris
Website: https://www.readyharris.org
Ready Harris is Harris County’s official emergency preparedness website. Sign up for emergency alerts by text or email, access preparedness checklists, locate shelters during disasters, and receive official updates before, during, and after emergencies. The site also offers accessible alerts in American Sign Language with English and Spanish captions.
CenterPoint Energy Outage Alerts
Website: https://www.centerpointenergy.com/outage
Receive outage notifications, report power outages, monitor restoration progress, and view the outage tracker during major weather events.
Harris County Flood Warning System
Website: https://www.harriscountyfws.org
Track real-time rainfall, bayou levels, flood gauges, and localized flooding conditions. Residents can also subscribe to alerts for waterways near their home or business.
United Way of Greater Houston Disaster Resources
Website: https://www.unitedwayhouston.org/disaster
Access a multilingual Household Preparedness Plan available in 11 languages, preparedness guides, disaster recovery resources, workshop information, and connections to local assistance programs.
2-1-1 Texas / United Way
Website: https://www.211texas.org
Phone: Dial 2-1-1
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, 2-1-1 connects residents with food assistance, housing, transportation, mental health services, financial assistance, disaster recovery programs, and other local resources.
State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR)
Website: https://stear.texas.gov
The STEAR program allows Texans with disabilities, medical needs, mobility challenges, or other access and functional needs to voluntarily register so local emergency officials know they may need additional assistance during disasters or evacuations. Family members and caregivers are encouraged to help eligible loved ones register before an emergency occurs.
Before During After
Website: https://www.beforeduringafter.com
Designed specifically for small businesses, this free resource provides business continuity planning tools, emergency preparedness checklists, employee communication templates, and recovery guidance to help businesses prepare for and recover from disasters.
Help Strengthen Our Community
Preparedness is most effective when it’s shared.
If you’re a property manager, share these resources with your residents through newsletters, email updates, resident portals, bulletin boards, and community meetings. A few minutes of preparation today can help protect hundreds of households tomorrow.
If you’re a business owner, share this information with your employees, customers, vendors, and neighboring businesses. Display these resources in your workplace, include them in your communications, or post them on social media to help your community stay informed.
And for everyone, take a moment to share these resources with your family, friends, neighbors, and loved ones. Encourage them to bookmark these websites, sign up for emergency alerts, and create a preparedness plan before severe weather arrives.
Awareness is the first step toward preparedness, and preparedness is stronger when it’s shared. By helping one another stay informed, we build safer, more resilient communities—together.