Storm Center | Stream

Be Prepared for Severe Weather

You don’t have control over when severe weather will hit your area, but you can make sure you’re ready when it does. Follow these steps to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

Get the help you need when the storm passes. If you live in Texas, see who to call and where to go in an emergency.

Recovery resources

TDSP information

Disaster assistance

What to do before a storm:

Stay informed.

When your local officials warn that a storm is coming, tune in to local news stations and check the National Weather Service or National Hurricane Center for regular updates. Follow all advice from your local officials on potential evacuation and emergency sheltering procedures.

Download Checklist

Get your home ready.

Lower the risk of damage to your home by trimming any nearby trees or shrubs and placing sandbags in areas that may flood. If officials are warning of strong winds, cover or reinforce your windows to prevent them from breaking.

Shop for supplies.

When weathering a dangerous storm, it’s best to be overprepared. Make sure you have these items before the hurricane hits:

Bottled water
Nonperishable food
Medications (prescription and over the counter)
First aid supplies
Toiletries
Pet food
Rain gear
Batteries
Flashlights
Battery-operated radio
Solar-powered phone charger
Backup power solutions, including a generator and a portable power bank

Keep local emergency numbers handy.

If you need help after a storm, you can dial 911 or contact other local emergency services for support. Save phone numbers for your local Centers for Disease Control (CDC) agency, FEMA office, local utility company and your insurance company.

Here’s a list of a few helpful websites that offer more information on how to be well prepared for extreme weather:

What to do during a storm:

Listen to local radio and television reports for weather condition updates.
Stay inside, even if it seems that the storm has ended, to avoid being outside when strong winds pick up.
Keep away from windows and outside doors. Bathtubs can provide some protection if you cover yourself with plywood or other materials.
Avoid using a landline telephone or touching electrical equipment.
If the power is out, turn off and unplug all major appliances.
Evacuate to a safe home or shelter if your home is flooded, or if emergency personnel has recommended for you to do so.
Whether you choose to stay home or evacuate, you’ll want to unplug electronics and appliances, and remove air conditioner fuses.

What to do after a storm:

Let family and friends know you are safe.
Continue monitoring updates and instructions from local authorities.
Don’t use any electrical appliances that got wet until they can be professionally checked.
Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it’s not contaminated.
Keep away from floodwater and flooded roads. Drive around floodwater and not through it.
Remember that flood and standing waters have potential health risks.
Stay away from downed power lines and dangerous materials.
Report power outages in your area.

Texas Recovery Resources

Use these websites and phone numbers to quickly get help in an emergency. For an active, life-threatening emergency, call 911. For a medical/functional emergency, call 211.

Texas Division of Emergency Management: Find shelters and seasonal relief centers throughout Texas
The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management: Find disaster recovery centers and individual assistance information in the Houston area
Harris County Emergency Management
Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management
Space City Weather: No-hype weather forecasting for Southeast Texas
City of Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions
City of Fort Worth cold weather resources
Salvation Army of North Texas warming centers
City of Corpus Christi Emergency Operations Center
211: Texas Health and Human Services
Ready.gov: Recovering from Disaster
American Red Cross: If you need to evacuate due to a disaster, there may be a Red Cross shelter in your area. Everyone is welcome at a Red Cross shelter, no reservation required.
Feeding Texas: If you need groceries or want to apply for SNAP assistance, Feeding Texas can help.
Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
Texas Department of Public Safety Motorists Helpline: 1-800-525-5555

Texas TDSP Information

You’ll want to report local power outages to your Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP), which you can find by looking on your bill under “Bill Summary.” Here are the numbers for the TDSPs in Texas:

Oncor: 1-888-313-4747 — Track outages — Sign up for outage alerts
Centerpoint Energy: 1-800-332-7143 — Track outages — Sign up for outage alerts
AEP Texas Central: 1-866-223-8508 — Track outages — Sign up for outage alerts
AEP Texas North: 1-866-223-8508 — Track outages — Sign up for outage alerts
TNMP: 1-888-866-7456 — Track outages — Sign up for outage alerts
Sharyland Utilities: 1-956-668-9551

How to apply for FEMA assistance:

Register on the website DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those using TTY, call 1-800-462-7585 directly; those who use 711 or Video Relay Service, call 1-800-621-3362.

Texas Road Information

If you’re trying to evacuate before the storm — or escape the aftermath — find the latest updates on everything from traffic to evacuation routes.

Emergency contacts in your state:

Texas

Oncor

1-888-313-4747

Note: Oncor can link to five different phone numbers with your ESID to speed restoration when you call to report outages. Call 1-888-313-6862 to set it up.

Report and track outages — Sign up for outage alerts

CenterPoint

1-800-332-7143

Report and track outages — Sign up for outage alerts

AEP Central

1-866-223-8508

Report and track outages — Sign up for outage alerts

TNMP

1-888-866-7456

Report and track outages — Sign up for outage alerts

AEP North

1-866-223-8508