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Did you know that disaster preparedness is a year-round thing in Texas?
Being ready is not important just during hurricane season. Every season can bring extreme weather events, and winter is no exception. In recent years, freezing temperatures and ice storms in Texas have knocked out the power for days, caused pipes to burst, and made transportation difficult if not impossible.
If there is a severe winter weather event and you are stuck at home – called “sheltering in place” – are you prepared? Do you have what you need to stay safe, well, and warm at home?
Know what’s coming
It’s important to know about severe winter weather before it happens so you can prepare. There are a number of ways that you can get severe weather alerts, and there should be options that are accessible for you. Make sure you are set up to get at least two types of alerts, like through the FEMA app and with a weather radio.
Also, your utility provider might have an alert system that you can sign up for to get real-time updates about services, disruptions, and restorations.
Local help
Reach out to your local emergency management department now to see what they’ll do if a winter storm causes you to have to shelter in place. Will they be conducting check-ins on certain residents? Will they deliver a power source or food and water? Find out what your emergency management department will do during and after an event so you can plan accordingly and fill in the gaps.
Check with the American Red Cross or contact 2-1-1 Texas for locations of sheltering operations and warming centers.
Supplies
Now is the time to stock-up on certain non-perishable (also called “shelf stable”) food items and bottled water so you have it just in case. If you wait until a winter storm is announced, there will be a mad rush at the stores, and you might not be able to get what you need.
Now is also the time to make sure you have plenty of warm clothes on hand. If you lose power and don’t have heat, you’ll want to dress in layers to stay warm. And have some blankets, too.
Once an event is announced, that’s when you can get any last-minute food items you might need. If you can’t get to a store quickly, try ordering your groceries through one of the grocery delivery apps, like Instacart or DoorDash. Also, make sure you have enough medications and medical supplies to get you through the event.
Back-up power
If you are stuck at home and the power goes out, things that you rely on could become unavailable. You may need an alternative power source to:
- refrigerate medications,
- run a heater/heating system,
- use assistive technology,
- operate medical equipment, or
- just charge your cell phone.
There are all types of alternative power sources – like batteries, battery banks, and backup portable power sources or stations to include generators. To figure out what you need, think about what equipment or devices require constant power or regular charging. To find what backup power option can provide for your electrical needs, you will have to estimate or calculate total wattage or electricity requirements.
Know and ask what your local jurisdiction will provide in sustained power outages. Will they have canvassing operations that will check on you if you are sheltering in place? Or will they provide transportation to get you to emergency sheltering operations?
Also, do you receive Medicaid services and rely on life-sustaining medical equipment? If you do, you might be able to get a back-up power source through Texas Medicaid.
Your information
No matter the situation, it’s always a good idea to keep your important information in one place. Create your own Emergency Ready Sheet and download it to your device or print a copy.
Additional information
- Emergency Solutions for Powering Durable Medical Equipment and Assistive Technology (PDF, Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities and the Texas Technology Access Program)
- Emergency Power Planning for People Who Use Electricity and Battery-Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices (ADA National Network)
- Winter Preparedness Tips for Texans with Disabilities (DRTx)
- Winter Weather (FEMA)
Last updated: November 6, 2024
Publication Code: DPR25
www.DRTx.org
Statewide Intake: 1-800-252-9108
Sign Language Video Phone: 1-866-362-2851
Purple 2 Video Phone: 512-271-9391
Online Intake available 24/7: intake.DRTx.org
Disclaimer: Disability Rights Texas strives to update its materials on an annual basis, and this handout is based upon the law at the time it was written. The law changes frequently and is subject to various interpretations by different courts. Future changes in the law may make some information in this handout inaccurate.
The handout is not intended to and does not replace an attorney’s advice or assistance based on your particular situation.
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