Disaster Preparedness Resources
Hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30. Everything on this page comes from trusted local, regional, and state agencies. Start with the two steps below: they take ten minutes and could make all the difference for you or a neighbor.
Step 1: Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
AlertHouston is the City of Houston’s free, official emergency alert service. Get updates by text, email, voice call, or app. Most alerts are targeted to your address, and you can register up to five addresses to keep an eye on family across town.
- Text “AlertHouston” to 888777, or
- Register online at HoustonOEM.org
Step 2: Register Vulnerable Neighbors for STEAR
The State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) is a free registry that helps emergency responders know who may need extra help during a disaster. Register yourself, or help register a loved one, if they:
- Have limited mobility or a sensory disability
- Need medical or personal care assistance during an emergency
- Would need transportation help to evacuate
Register at STEAR.Texas.gov or dial 2-1-1 to register by phone. Re-enroll every year to keep information current.
Community Captains and Community-Led Groups
Our Super Neighborhood has a WhatsApp community where we can share information in one place. Each neighborhood has its own group to coordinate during a natural disaster or for general information. Click here to join our WhatsApp community.
Join the District I Community Captain Program
The Office of Council Member Joaquin Martinez – District I is launching a Community Captains Initiative to strengthen neighborhood preparedness and response. We are seeking dedicated residents who are willing to serve as key points of contact between their community and our office in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.
Community Captains will play a vital role in sharing timely information, identifying urgent needs, and supporting coordinated response efforts. By signing up, you are helping build a safer, more connected, and more resilient District I.
Sign up here to become a District I Community Captain
Trusted Resources
Bookmark these official pages. During an emergency, rely on these sources — not rumors or unverified social media posts.
- Make Your Plan — Houston Office of Emergency Management: Step-by-step guidance for building a household emergency plan — meeting points, contacts, supplies, and plans for kids, seniors, and pets.
- Hurricane & Tropical Storm Guidance — Houston OEM: What to do before, during, and after a storm, including evacuation zones and sheltering in place.
- City of Houston Disaster Preparedness Guide (PDF): The City’s full printable preparedness guide. Print a copy and keep it with your emergency kit.
- Public Health Preparedness Plans — Houston Health Department: Guidance on medical needs, medications, and health safety during disasters.
- Regional Hurricane Resources — Houston-Galveston Area Council: Evacuation maps and zip-zone information for the 13-county region.
- Houston OEM Homepage: Shows the City’s current emergency activation level and links to live updates during an event.
Build Your Kit: Supplies for at Least 5–7 Days
After a major storm, stores and pharmacies may be closed and power may be out for days. Every household should have:
- Water: one gallon per person, per day
- Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
- Medications (7+ day supply) and copies of prescriptions
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Battery or hand-crank weather radio
- Phone chargers and a backup power bank
- First aid kit
- Cash in small bills
- Important documents in a waterproof bag
- Supplies for pets, infants, and seniors
Numbers to Know
- 9-1-1: Life-threatening emergencies only
- 3-1-1: City services: debris pickup, water issues, non-emergency help
- 2-1-1: Community resources and STEAR registration by phone