Preparedness Overview

Disaster preparedness for Greater Houston is less about predicting a single event and more about building habits and supplies that hold up across the full range of hazards the region faces. A household that is ready for a tropical storm is generally ready for an extended power outage, a hard freeze, or an unexpected evacuation. The basic categories below apply whether you live in a high-rise inside the Loop, a single-family home in Katy, or a coastal community in Galveston County.

Physical Supplies

Plan to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours, and ideally for five to seven days. The most important items are water (one gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, prescription medications, a first-aid kit, flashlights, a battery- or hand-crank radio, spare batteries, and a way to charge cell phones without grid power. Houston's climate adds a few items that drier regions can skip: extra insect repellent, sunscreen, and tarps for roof or window damage are routinely useful after summer storms. See our emergency supply checklists for a complete list.

Evacuation Planning

Knowing your evacuation zone in advance is critical. Harris County and the coastal counties use a zip-zone system for hurricane evacuations; you can look up your address on ReadyHarris.org. Plan two routes out of the region — typically a primary route on I-45 north or I-10 west and a backup along US-290 — and identify a destination, whether a relative's home, a hotel, or a state shelter. Our hurricane preparedness guide covers evacuation in detail.

Communication Plans

Identify an out-of-state contact whom every household member can call or text after a disaster; long-distance lines often work when local circuits are saturated. Agree on a meeting point in case you are separated and cell service is unreliable. Households with children should make sure schools and daycares have current emergency contacts.

Financial Readiness

Keep copies of insurance policies, identification, and key medical records in a waterproof container or a secure cloud folder. Know whether your homeowner's or renter's policy includes flood coverage — most do not, and standalone National Flood Insurance Program policies typically have a 30-day waiting period. Keep a small amount of cash on hand, since ATMs and card readers often fail during widespread outages.

Special Considerations

Families with infants, older adults, household members with disabilities, or pets need to plan around specific needs: formula and diapers, medical equipment that requires power, mobility aids, and pet carriers and vaccination records. The Texas State Animal Resource Team and local SPCA chapters publish guidance on evacuating with animals.

Continue to our detailed guides on hurricanes, flooding, and supplies.