Emergency Readiness

Disaster Preparedness: Water, Food, Power & Emergency Supplies

From hurricanes to winter grid failures, Texas homeowners face a range of disaster risks. This guide covers everything you need to prepare your home and family—water storage, non-perishable food, generators, batteries, flashlights, and emergency communication—so you're ready before the next storm hits.

Last updated: September 2026

Texas is uniquely exposed to multiple disaster types: Atlantic hurricanes on the Gulf Coast (June–November), severe spring thunderstorms and tornadoes, and winter ice storms that can trigger grid failures — as Winter Storm Uri demonstrated in February 2021, when millions lost power for days. Because so much of a Texas household's daily life depends on electricity (air conditioning, water heating, well pumps, medical devices), power reliability is the thread that runs through every part of disaster preparedness here.

This guide is organized by the supplies and systems that matter most during an extended outage: water, food, backup power, lighting, communication, first aid, and home protection. Build your kit incrementally — start with the 72-hour essentials, then expand to a 14-day supply. The checklist at the end gives you a single page to work from. For hurricane-specific preparation and live tracking links, see our Hurricane Safety Guide.

Water: Store, Filter, and Know Your Sources

Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of 3 days (2 weeks is ideal for Texas hurricane or winter storm scenarios). Use food-grade containers—avoid milk jugs as they degrade and leak. Rotate stored water every 6 months. Know how to shut off your home's main water valve and drain your water heater (40–50 gallons of backup water). Keep a gravity-fed water filter (like a Berkey or Sawyer) and water purification tablets for emergencies. Fill bathtubs and sinks before a predicted storm for flushing toilets and cleaning.

Non-Perishable Foods: Build a 14-Day Supply

Aim for a two-week supply of non-perishable food that requires no cooking or minimal water. Stock canned meats (tuna, chicken), beans, vegetables, and fruits—plus a manual can opener. Dry goods like peanut butter, crackers, trail mix, granola bars, and rice are calorie-dense and shelf-stable. Avoid foods high in salt that increase thirst. Rotate stock annually and check expiration dates. For cooking, keep a portable camp stove with extra fuel canisters—never use them indoors due to carbon monoxide risk. A 72-hour kit per family member ensures grab-and-go readiness.

Backup Batteries and Power Banks

Keep a mix of power sources: a 10,000–20,000 mAh USB power bank for phones (recharges 3–5 times), a larger 300–500 Wh portable power station for laptops or CPAP machines, and spare batteries in all common sizes (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V). A solar-powered charger (foldable 20–50W panel) can recharge power banks indefinitely during extended outages. For homes with solar panels, a battery system (Tesla Powerwall, Enphase) provides automatic whole-home or partial-home backup. Keep car chargers for phones as vehicles can charge devices while running.

Flashlights, Headlamps, and Lighting

Avoid candles—they cause fires during emergencies. Instead, keep one LED flashlight per family member plus 2–3 extras. Headlamps are ideal for hands-free use during power work or cooking. Choose models with long battery life (50+ hours on low). Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank lantern for room lighting. Store matches in a waterproof container. Consider motion-sensor battery lights for hallways and bathrooms to prevent falls during nighttime outages. Test all lights quarterly and keep spare batteries in the same location as the lights.

Emergency Radio and Communication

A NOAA weather radio with battery backup and hand-crank is essential for receiving alerts when cell towers are down. Choose a model with SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) technology to filter alerts for your county. Keep a list of emergency frequencies. For communication, text messages often go through when calls cannot due to lower bandwidth needs. Have a backup list of out-of-area contacts (long-distance calls may connect when local ones don't). A whistle can signal for help if trapped.

First Aid Kit and Medical Preparedness

Maintain a comprehensive first aid kit: bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, tweezers, scissors, and a digital thermometer. Include a 7-day supply of prescription medications and copies of prescriptions. Add medical devices you rely on (spare glasses, hearing aid batteries). Take a CPR and basic first aid course—skills matter more than supplies. For diabetic family members, store glucose tabs and a backup insulin supply. Keep a list of emergency contacts, allergies, and medical conditions in your kit.

Home Protection: Generators and Fuel

A portable generator (3,500–7,500W) powers essentials like refrigerators, lights, and fans. Never run a generator indoors or in a garage—carbon monoxide kills. Place it at least 20 feet from your home with exhaust pointed away. Store 5–20 gallons of stabilized fuel, rotating every 3 months. A transfer switch ($300–$500 installed) safely connects the generator to your panel. For seamless backup, a home standby generator (10–22 kW) auto-starts during outages and runs on natural gas or propane. Budget $5,000–$12,000 installed. In Texas, a generator is especially valuable during hurricane season and winter grid failures.

Tools and Home Prep Checklist

Keep a basic tool kit: adjustable wrench, pliers, screwdrivers, utility knife, duct tape, and work gloves. Know how to turn off gas, water, and electricity at the main shutoffs. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup. Reinforce garage doors against high winds. Trim trees near power lines before storm season. Have tarps and roofing nails for emergency patches. Keep important documents (insurance policies, IDs, deeds) in a waterproof/fireproof safe or a sealed bag in your go-bag.

Texas-Specific Risks and Seasonal Timing

Texas faces multiple disaster threats: Atlantic hurricanes (June–November) affecting the Gulf Coast, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes (spring), and winter ice storms (December–February) that can cause grid failures like Winter Storm Uri in 2021. Prepare differently by season: hurricane season requires evacuation kits and flood insurance; winter requires pipe insulation, faucet drip procedures, and alternative heat sources. Sign up for local emergency alerts via your county's notification system. Know your evacuation zone and route before a storm threatens.

Essential Preparedness Checklist

1 gallon water/person/day (14-day supply)

Non-perishable food for 14 days

Manual can opener

LED flashlights + headlamps (1 per person)

Extra batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V)

USB power bank (20,000 mAh minimum)

Solar charger panel (foldable)

NOAA weather radio (battery/hand-crank)

Comprehensive first aid kit

7-day prescription medication supply

Portable generator (3,500W+) + fuel

Carbon monoxide detector with battery backup

Basic tool kit + duct tape

Waterproof document bag (IDs, insurance)

Whistle for signaling

Camp stove + fuel (outdoor use only)

Critical Safety Reminders

Never use generators, camp stoves, or grills indoors or in enclosed spaces—carbon monoxide is odorless and deadly. Keep generators 20+ feet from your home. Never refuel a running or hot generator. If using candles, place them away from flammable materials and never leave them unattended. During winter storms, let faucets drip to prevent frozen pipes, and open cabinet doors to let warm air reach plumbing.

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