Texas · Preparedness Guide
Hurricanes on the Gulf, tornadoes across the plains, catastrophic floods in every watershed, wildfires from the Panhandle to the Hill Country, and a power grid that failed 246 people in February 2021.
About this guide
Texas is so large it contains multiple distinct climates and hazard profiles. The Gulf Coast from Brownsville to Beaumont faces direct hurricane exposure — Harvey (2017) dropped 60 inches of rain on Houston and killed 36 people directly. The Plains and Panhandle are tornado country and wildfire country simultaneously — the 2024 Smokehouse Creek Fire burned over 1 million acres, the largest in state history. Central Texas flash floods kill people every year in the Hill Country's narrow canyons. West Texas faces extreme drought and heat. And statewide, the ERCOT grid — isolated from the rest of the country's grid — failed catastrophically during Winter Storm Uri in February 2021, killing at least 246 people and leaving 4.5 million households without power in subfreezing temperatures. Find your region to see what applies where you live.
Local self-reliance starts with knowing your place.
Quick facts
Top hazards: Hurricanes & Storm Surge, Power Grid Failure (ERCOT), Tornadoes
TX has not expanded Medicaid — eligibility is more limited for adults without dependents
USDA hardiness zones: 6a (Texas Panhandle) to 9b (Rio Grande Valley / Gulf Coast)
Unemployment: up to $605/week for 26 weeks
Free or low-cost soil testing available through the state extension service
Seven topics, one state
Each section focuses on one question. Find what you need without wading through what you don't.
Official maps and tools for flood, fire, earthquake, water, dam, river, and local hazard awareness.
Am I at risk? →
Find nearby courses, extension programs, and emergency training that build practical skills.
Where do I learn? →
Connect with local gatherings, neighbor-help efforts, civic groups, and community support networks.
What's happening near me? →
Find official alerts, emergency agencies, trauma centers, and crisis-response information near you.
Who do I call? →
Use local frost dates, planting zones, soil data, extension calendars, and composting guidance.
What can I grow? →
Find food, utility, health, unemployment, and 211 resources before hardship becomes crisis.
Where can I find help? →
Find your county transit provider, demand-response ride service, and carpool matching options.
How do I get around? →
Simple step-by-step preparedness checklists for your home, family, garden, documents, and local risks.
What do I do next? →
Get specific
Enter your ZIP code to see real-time weather alerts, drought conditions, FEMA disaster declarations, and county-level resources.
Next steps
Know your risks
Flood zones, hazard maps, and the TX risks that apply to your county.
Local Risk ReadinessBuild the basics
The universal first step — before you personalize, get the 72-hour foundation in place.
First 72 Hours