The Office of Emergency Management produces various plans and public information to help City residents be aware of, and prepared for the hazards that can affect them.

 Let us know where dangerous conditions exist by using your Twitter account.

 Tweet @HoustonOEM and use one of the following hashtags to report damage, or ask a question:

#floodout -  If you see high water or start to see inland flooding around you.

#floodin - If you have water coming into your home or business

#tornado - If you see a funnel cloud, tornado, or rotating wall cloud.

#hail - If you see hail larger than nickel size.

#wind - If you see or have experienced severe winds.

#damage - If you see damage from winds, hail or lightning.

#debris - If you see debris blocking a road or other right of way

#powerout - If your power is out.

#wateroff - If you water pressure is low or turned off.

If tweeting from your GPS-enabled mobile device, be sure to click your "location" button.

If you can't turn on GPS, be sure to include a description of where you are in your tweet (i.e. Shepherd & Tidwell or 5320 N Shepherd Drive)

Houston OEM will transmit any severe weather reports to the National Weather Service on your behalf.

As always, tweet safely, and if you feel your life or property is threatened, dial 9-1-1

Got questions about it?  Tweet @HoustonOEM or e-mail us at info@houstonoem.net.

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for Harris County and the City of Houston until 2:00am Saturday.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant of changing weather conditions until the threat passes.

A Tornado Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of tornados. 

For updated weather information visit http://www.weather.gov/houston

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Houstonians are no stranger to emergencies, from hazardous weather such as thunderstorms and hurricanes, to other types of emergencies, such as fires and hazardous chemical incidents. When emergencies occur, having the right information is a key part of staying safe and well. The City of Houston invites you to register for AlertHouston, the City's e-mail alert system. With a quick 2-minute registration, you can receive an e-mail with the latest up-to-date information on how you can respond to an emergency, helping to keep you and your family safe. 

Sign up today, and take the first step to staying informed when emergencies happen.

On Saturday, June 9th, the City of Houston will co-host the annual National Weather Service Hurricane Workshop at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Downtown Houston. 

This family event is full of fun, games and important information on how you can be better prepared for hurricane season. 

Families can bring kids down to the "Kids Zone" sponsered by the John C. Freeman Weather Museum and get free materials to start building your emergency kits and plans. 

Visit HurricaneWorkshop.com for more information on this year's event.

Watch Houston Mayor Annise Parker's message from the 2011 Hurricane Workshop:

Houston's position along the Texas Gulf Coast makes it a prime target for severe weather to form.  When these systems develop, they have the potential to cause large amounts of rain to fall in short periods of time, bring about damaging winds, hail, lightning and tornadoes.   Streets, Bayous and Creeks can quickly fill up with water making for hazardous conditions.

Read these key steps below and find out how you can be prepared by getting an emergency supply kit, making an emergency plan and staying informed about severe weather. 

1) Know your flood threat

Visit the Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool (HarrisCountyFEMT.org)  to find out which local watershed your home, office and other places you frequent are located, and whether or not they lie within a flood plain. 

2) Turn Around, Don't Drown®

High water can be dangerous.  When it only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock down a person, and only 2 feet to float an SUV, it's never smart to take chances driving through it.  Even slow-moving water can be dangerous, and leave you needing help from first responders when your vehicle gets stuck.  Driving into high water isn't worth it - find another way.

3) Have a plan for severe weather

If severe weather strikes during the day, how will you get home?  Are you prepared to stay at work or school until the water recedes and conditions improve?  Does your family know where to go during a severe weather outbreak?  Take time to talk with your family, colleagues, and friends about what your plans are for times when severe weather occurs.  Visit FEMA's Ready.gov to download a Family Emergency Plan.

Also, do you know how to shelter in the event that a Tornado Warning is issued for your area?  Read more at Ready.gov.

4) Stay informed about severe weather

How will you get information about severe weather?  If you're relying on TV, Radio and internet, what happens when the electricity goes out?  Have a plan to stay informed:

-  Think about purchasing a NOAA Weather Alert Radio, which is available from most electronics retailers, and the Red Cross Store (Redcrossstore.org).

-  Visit the Harris County Flood Warning System (harriscountyfws.org) webpage for up-to-date information on creek levels and rain totals from across Harris County.

 -  Be sure to bookmark m.houstonoem.net on your web-enabled mobile device to get the latest information on severe weather from the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management.

Summit brings together emergency preparedness professionals and non-hospital healthcare providers.

  HOUSTON -  On Wednesday, April 11th, the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management will host the annual Healthcare Hurricane & Disaster Preparedness Summit for members of Houston's healthcare community who operate facilities outside of a hospital setting.  The summit will include speakers and breakout sessions from organizations across the public and business community and is intended to provide facilities with information and tools to develop and maintain their own emergency operations plans.

"As we approach hurricane season, it's important that all Houston residents are prepared.  This includes facilities that serve some of the most vulnerable members of our community," said Sharon A. Nalls, the City's Emergency Management Coordinator, "This summit is intended to provide guidance to these organizations on how they can prepare for, respond to, and recover from various types of disasters, including severe tropical weather."

Participants will spend a day hearing from various organizations with experience in planning for the community their facilities serve including:

• The City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services
• The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management
• CenterPoint Energy 
• The National Weather Service Houston/Galveston Forecast Office
• Regional Hospital Preparedness Council
• Texas Department of Aging and Disablity Services (DADS)
  

Participants will also hear from practitioners working in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, and listen to case studies about how facilities have responded to various types of emergencies in the past.

The goal of the summit is to provide facility managers an opportunity to enhance their own emergency planning documents and procedures to better meet the needs of the vulnerable populations they serve, in compliance with law.

The event will take place at the George R. Brown Convention Center with registration beginning at 7:30am and will last until 3:00pm.  Individuals interested in on-site registration and event details can visit the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management website at HoustonOEM.net.

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The City of Houston Mayor's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is the primary coordinating agency for disaster planning and response in the nation's fourth-largest city. The OEM serves Houstonians by conducting programs and activities for City residents and departments to help them prepare for, respond to and recover from the effects of natural and manmade disasters. (houstonoem.net and m.houstonoem.net)

Media Contact:

Michael Walter, Public Information Officer
Michael.Walter@houstontx.gov
Phone: (713) 884-4554

HOUSTON - The Houston Community Preparedness Collaborative (HCPC), a group of City of Houston officials, not-for-profit and private-sector partners met for the first time Friday at the Houston Emergency Center with the purpose of developing partnerships to enhance Houston residents' ability to prepare for disasters.

The Mayor's Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Mayor's Office of Public Safety & Homeland Security (MOPSHS) and the Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) hosted the meeting, bringing together a variety of officials from across the City of Houston as well as non-profit agencies and businesses that serve unique communities throughout the City.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker opened the meeting by encouraging the group to promote emergency preparedness in their community saying, "During emergencies we have to give out important information, it's through our community partners that we make sure everyone hears that message. "

 Participants heard from the three host departments about what they are already doing to promote preparedness citywide, and participated in a discussion on how to coordinate their efforts with those already in place throughout the Houston area.

Dennis Storemski, Director of the Mayor's Office of Public Safety & Homeland Security emphasized the importance of meeting the needs of Houston's unique communities, "A community as large as Houston has a variety of groups with individual needs.  Meeting with representatives from these groups will help the City develop ways to make sure that the entire community has the tools it needs to be prepared for disasters."

 The objectives of the HCPC include: promoting emergency and disaster preparedness throughout the community, providing guidance to the City of Houston regarding emergency and disaster preparedness materials  and messaging to the community, hosting and/or supporting emergency and disaster preparedness activities for the community.

"Houston's history with severe weather and other hazards only makes collaborative planning more important." said Stephen L. Williams, director of HDHHS.

The HCPC will meet quarterly and will include representation from OEM, HDHHS, MOPSHS, the Houston Police Department, the Houston Fire Department and over 20 collaborative community agencies.

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The City of Houston Mayor's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is the primary coordinating agency for disaster planning and response in the nation's fourth-largest city. The OEM serves Houstonians by conducting programs and activities for City residents and departments to help them prepare for, respond to and recover from the effects of natural and manmade disasters. (houstonoem.net and m.houstonoem.net)

Media Contact:

Michael Walter, Public Information Officer
Michael.Walter@houstontx.gov
Phone: (713) 884-4554

Houston tiene una historia de Clima Severo.  Cuando ocurren estos sistemas meterológicos, traen lluvia fuerte, que puede inundandar a las calles, bayous y arroyos.  Altos vientos, granizo y tornados también pueden causar daño.

Tome unos momentos para revisar estos consejos prácticos de cómo usted puede ser preparado para clima severo.

1) Conozca su nivel de peligro

Visite el sitio de web de la Mapa de Educación de Inundaciones del Condado Harris (Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool) (HarrisCountyFEMT.org)  para averiguar en cual cuenca vives, trabajes o visites a menudo y si está en un área que es propenso a inundarse.

2) De la Vuelta, No se Ahoge®

Alta agua puede ser peligroso, con sólo 6 pulgadas, puede  hacerle perder el contacto con el suelo, y solo 2 pies de agua puede hacerle a su automóvil flotar.  No corre el riesgo. En caso de que se atascas, va a necesitar ayuda de equipos de primera actuación, y eso pone la vida de ustéd y los que le esta rescatando en peligro.

3) Tenga un plan para Clima Severo

En caso de que Clima Severo ocurre durante el día, ¿cómo va a protegerse, y llegar a casa? ¿Está preparado para quedarse en el trabajo o escuela hasta que baja la agua y mejoren la condiciones? ¿Dónde vas a reunir con su familia después de una tormenta severa? Tome unos momentos para platicar con su familia, colegas y amigos acerca de sus planes para cuando ocurre clima severo. También, visite a Listo.gov para descargar un Plán Familiar para Emergencias.

También, sabe usted como refugiarse si un Aviso de Tornado sea emitido por su área? Aprende más en Listo.gov.
 

4) Manténgase informado durante clima severo

¿Cómo va a mantener informado durante una tormenta severa? El televisión? ¿el radio? ¿o el Internet? ¿Qué va a hacer usted cuando no hay electricidad?

Tenga un plán para mantenerse informado:

- Compre un radio de Alerta Climática de NOAA, que le mande información sobre clima severo en inglés. Uno se puede comprar en varias tiendas donde venden electrónicas, y de la Tienda de la Cruz Roja Americana (Red Cross Store) en Redcrossstore.org.

-  Visite el sitio de web del sistema de Aviso de Inundaciones del Condado Harris (Harris County Flood Warning System) en harriscountyfws.org para información acerca de los niveles de los bayous y arroyos.

 -  También busque información en nuestro sitio de web optimizado para su aparato móvil en m.houstonoem.net.

These are the three steps you and your family can take to become more disaster prepared.  Having a well-stocked emergency kit, making a family communications & emergency plan and having ways to stay informed during and after disasters are key to making you a disaster survivor, rather than a disaster victim.

Get a Kit

Having an emergency preparedness kit helps you be self-sufficient during disasters, when many basic services are unavailable. Be sure to have these basic supplies, making kits for your home, office and vehicle:

• For everyone:
  • Water, one gallon/person/day for up to 5 days
  • Food, at least three days of non-perishable food
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio with NOAA Weather Radio channels
  • Sturdy flashlight with extra batteries
  • Cell phones with vehicle or solar chargers
  • First Aid Kit
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Dust mask (N-95) to filter contaminated air, and plastic sheeting with duct tape in case you have to shelter-in-place
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Manual can opener
  • A local map
  • Important documents
  • Cash (ATMS need electricity and internet/phone connections)
  • Personal hygiene items such as feminine napkins
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for sanitation
  • Sleeping bag or blanket for each person
  • Change of clothes
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Matches
• For Children
  • Books, games or puzzles for children
  • Medications and glasses
  • Infant formula and diapers
  • Bottles
  • Powdered milk
  • Diaper ointment
  • Paper, pencils, and crayons
• For Pets
  • Pet supplies
  • Pet food and extra water
• For Adults
  • Denture needs
  • Contact lenses and supplies
  • Extra glasses

Make a Plan

Making a plan ensures that your family all knows exactly what to do when emergencies occur.  Emergencies can strike at any time, and you may not necessarily be with your family, or at home.

Be sure to include these in your plan:

• Meeting places
  • one near your home
  • one far from your home, in case you cannot return home or have to evacuate
• An Out-of-Town contact person - this way you all can check-in with that person if cell phone towers are jammed.

 Plan to evacuate

• • Plan where you will go -   Choose a location, such as a family member or friend's home, and make sure everyone knows thats where you will be going
  • Plan what to take - Make a plan for the items you will take with you.  Don't forget to include your emergency kit.
  • Plan how you will get there - Which roads will you take to get there? Do you have an alternate route to get there?
  • Plan for your pets - Do you have carriers or leashes for each pet?  Will your designated evacuation location take pets?
  • Practice your plan at least twice a year.
  • If you cannot evacuate yourself, check with neighbors or family to see if they can help you evacuate, if they can't you can register for Transportation Assistance through the City by calling 211 or registering online at HoustonOEM.net.
• Plan to stay
  • Have a plan for where you will ride out severe weather (like severe thunderstorms and hurricanes)
  • Know what your family will do if they are away from home.
  • Have your supply kit ready to go.
  • Have a way to stay informed during and after emergencies.

Be Informed

•  The National Weather Service's NOAA Weather Radio
  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA)  National Weather Service (NWS) operates an all-hazards radio station that can be picked up by special weather radio receivers that can keep you informed during severe weather, and other emergency situations.  Visit this website for more information on NOAA Weather Radio and visit your local electronics retailer to purchase a radio capable of picking up NOAA signals.

• Local Media
  During emergencies, officials will provide local media with information on the current status of the emergency, as well as what residents can do to protect themselves from the hazard.  In Houston, there are two Emergency Alert System radio stations which will immediately broadcast emergency messages throughout the city. These are KTRH 740AM and KUHF 88.7FM.
• AlertHouston
  AlertHouston is a program offered by the Office of Emergency Management to stay informed during disasters.  In emergencies, residents will receive e-mails with information on the hazard, as well as what they can do to avoid being severely impacted. E-mail alerts@houstonoem.net with your name and Zip Code to sign up.

Various types of natural and manmade hazards can affect Houston, and knowing about each of them can help you be better prepared for emergencies. .  Below is a listing of some of the major types of hazards that can affect the Houston area:

Tap on the photo of the hazard for more information

Flooding

Hazardous Materials

Heat

Hurricanes

Pandemic

Terrorism

Thunderstorms

Tornados

Wildfire

Winter Weather