Emergency Preparedness

Stay informed when it matters most. The Woodlands Township offers Township Alerts—a free notification service that delivers critical information straight to your inbox. From weather warnings and traffic impacts to fire advisories and emergency notifications, this system helps keep you safe and prepared.

Coming soon, Township Alerts will be expanded to include voice and text messages, giving you even more ways to stay connected and informed.

Sign Up for Alerts

In addition to Township Alerts, residents are encouraged to follow the Township on social media and sign up for county alert systems. 

Being prepared starts with a plan. Know how you’ll communicate, where you’ll go, and what you’ll need in the event of an emergency. Talk with your family, write down your plan and review it regularly to stay ready for any situation.

	Step 1: Put a plan together by discussing the questions below with your family, friends or household. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings? What is my family/household communications plan? Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?
	Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household. As you prepare your plan tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs like operating medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance. Keep in mind some these factors when developing your plan: Different ages of members within your household Responsibilities for assisting others Locations frequented Dietary needs Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment Languages spoken Cultural and religious considerations Pets or service animals Households with school-aged children
	Step 3: Create a Family Emergency Plan Ready.gov offers a quick and fillable form.  Make a Family Emergency Plan
	Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household.  Practice your emergency plan with your family regularly to ensure everyone knows what to do, where to go and how to stay safe during a crisis.

Explore Ready.gov

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Download a printable version to take with you to the store. Once you take a look at the basic items consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets or seniors.

Ready.gov Emergency Supply List

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
• Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape (to shelter in place)
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Manual can opener (for food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Additional Emergency Supplies

Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:

• Soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
• Prescription medications. About half of all Americans take a prescription medicine every day. An emergency can make it difficult forthem to refill their prescription or to find an open pharmacy. Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins to prepare for an emergency.
• Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
• Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
• Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Cash or traveler's checks
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
• Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Maintaining Your Kit

After assembling your kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed:

• Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
• Replace expired items as needed.
• Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Kit Storage Locations

Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and cars.

• Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.
• Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a “grab and go” case.
• Car: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.

Emergency Kits for Texans with Special Needs

Gulf Coast residents with special health care needs (including people who are disabled or medically fragile) should plan in advance for storm season according to State and federal emergency management officials.

If you have special needs, live in an evacuation zone and do not have friends or family to help you leave, register in advance for assisted transportation by dialing 2-1-1.

Emergency Kits for Texans with Special Needs

Severe weather can happen quickly and with little warning. Being prepared and knowing what to expect can help protect your family and property. In The Woodlands, residents may experience the following types of severe weather:

	Thunderstorms – Can bring heavy rain, strong winds, lightning and hail. Preparation tip: Secure outdoor items, stay indoors, and avoid using electrical appliances during a storm.
Damaging Winds – Often associated with storms or hurricanes; can topple trees and power lines. Preparation tip: Trim weak branches, secure loose objects and have a power outage plan.
	Hail – Can damage vehicles, roofs and plants. Preparation tip: Park vehicles in covered areas and stay indoors during hailstorms.
Tornadoes – Though less frequent, they can occur and cause serious damage. Preparation tip: Identify a safe room in your home (interior room on the lowest level).
	Flash Flooding – Heavy rain can quickly overwhelm drainage systems. Preparation tip: Never drive through flooded roads and know your evacuation routes.
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms – High winds, heavy rain and extended power outages are possible. Preparation tip: Have a hurricane kit, secure your home and stay informed with official alerts.
	Freezing Rain and Cold Fronts – Though rare, winter weather can lead to icy roads and power loss. Preparation tip: Insulate pipes, have warm clothing and blankets ready, and avoid travel when roads are icy.

Preparing for severe weather includes making a family emergency plan, building an emergency supply kit, staying informed through official sources and practicing safety drills regularly.

Power outages in The Woodlands can occur for various reasons, but one of the most common causes is falling trees or limbs during severe weather. The community’s heavily wooded environment, while beautiful, can lead to service disruptions when storms bring strong winds, heavy rain or ice.

Two electric providers serve The Woodlands: Entergy and CenterPoint Energy, depending on your location. During an outage, residents are encouraged to contact their provider directly and use the following resources to track outages and get updates:

• Entergy
  View Outage Map and Report an Outage
  Customer Service: 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749)

• CenterPoint Energy
  View Outage Map and Report an Outage
  Customer Service: 713-207-2222 or 1-800-332-7143

To stay safe during a power outage, avoid downed power lines, use flashlights instead of candles and keep refrigerators closed to preserve food. Always report outages directly to your utility provider to ensure prompt response.

The Woodlands is a well-prepared and highly protected community when it comes to fire safety. The Woodlands Fire Department holds an ISO Class 1 rating, the highest possible rating for fire protection, reflecting the department’s advanced training, quick response times and strong commitment to public safety.

The community also benefits from carefully maintained fire breaks and other infrastructure designed to slow or stop the spread of fire. Residents play an important role in prevention—both inside the home and around their property.

Home Fire Safety

Preventing fires at home starts with simple, everyday habits. Here are a few key tips to reduce risk and stay safe:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them monthly

• Keep a fire extinguisher in key areas like the kitchen and garage

• Never leave cooking or open flames unattended

• Practice a home fire escape plan with your family

• Avoid overloading outlets or using damaged cords

• Store flammable materials safely and away from heat sources

Wildfire Safety

The natural beauty of The Woodlands includes dense trees and greenbelts, which also means wildfire awareness is important—especially during dry conditions. The Fire Department actively monitors fire weather, maintains fire breaks and trains regularly to respond to wildfire threats.

Residents can help reduce wildfire risk by:

• Clearing dry leaves and debris from roofs, gutters and around the base of the home

• Trimming back tree limbs that hang over the house

• Keeping grass and vegetation well-maintained

• Moving firewood and combustibles away from structures

• Following local burn bans and outdoor fire safety recommendations

The Woodlands Township encourages residents to explore additional emergency preparedness resources offered by county, state, and federal agencies. These regional tools provide valuable information on weather alerts, evacuation routes, disaster recovery, and public safety programs to help you stay informed and prepared before, during, and after an emergency.

Held each April, ReadyWoodlands is The Woodlands Township’s annual emergency preparedness event that helps residents get informed and ready before hurricane season and other severe weather events. Hosted by Neighborhood Services, the event features expert presentations, interactive booths, emergency kit demonstrations and resources from local public safety agencies. It’s a great opportunity to learn how to protect your family, home and neighborhood all in one place.

Check back soon for details on our 2026 event!