Severe Weather Preparedness & Recovery Resources
UPDATED: May 17, 2024, 3 p.m.
Many residents in Greater Houston are cleaning up after a destructive storm carrying hurricane-force winds that swept through the region on Thursday evening, resulting in five fatalities and leaving behind significant damage.
POWER
CenterPoint Energy reports more than 715,000 customers are currently without power, underscoring the magnitude of the storm's impact. Outages span across downtown Houston to Spring Branch, the east side, including Channelview and Baytown, north around the Cypress area, and west, up to Katy. Click here to keep track of outages.
ROADWAYS & TRAFFIC CONDITIONS
Houston has activated The Office of Emergency Management at Level 2: High Readiness. They continue to monitor conditions closely. They report more than 2,500 inoperable street lights and numerous downtown road closures. Officials encourage motorists to stay off the roadways while cleanup crews pick up fallen trees and heavy debris. If you encounter an inoperable traffic light, treat it as a 4-way stop, and check roadway conditions before heading out to events or work this weekend. For information on road closures, traffic maps, and routes, please click here.
SHELTER
The American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region has opened shelters for people in need. Click here for that information. The city has opened ten libraries as cooling centers. Call 3-1-1 to find the library closest to you. If you need special transportation assistance, let them know, and they will make arrangements for you.
IMPORTANT RESOURCES RECAP
- For emergency assistance or need help evacuating, call 9-1-1.
- Use the City of Houston 3-1-1 to report hazardous debris, downed powerlines, or trees.
- Call the Red Cross for shelter information at 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767) or click redcross.org for locations.
- Local Emergency Management Information
AARP Disaster Preparedness Tools
Are you a local leader who needs resources on how you can reduce risks and better protect older adults? Download the AARP Disaster Resilience Tool Kit.
Dealing with a natural disaster and ensuring you are prepared to weather any storm is already challenging. Navigating the complexities of federal grants and programs meant to aid you in your time of need can make it even more difficult. AARP Houston, in collaboration with FEMA and SBP USA, a non-profit organization specializing in disaster recovery and relief, will host a telephone town hall this June 4, followed by webinars designed to empower individuals of all ages. Whether you’re a homeowner, community leader, or concerned citizen, offering valuable knowledge to navigate the federal landscape and safeguard your household.
June 4: Telephone Townhall Expert Insights
Gain valuable insights into hurricane or severe weather preparedness and resilience with expert insights featuring:
- Denise Juarez, Disaster Program Manager for the Houston Chapter of the American Red Cross
- Victoria Crouse, Branch Chief for FEMA
- Josh Bryant, Senior Disaster Advisor for SBP
In addition, AARP Houston is hosting a series of informative webinars in collaboration with FEMA, Red Cross and SBP USA, the telephone townhall participants. These sessions aim to demystify federal grant management and provide essential insights into emergency preparedness. Whether you’re a homeowner, community leader, or concerned citizen, this webinar series offers valuable knowledge to navigate the federal landscape and safeguard your household.
June 5: Federal Cross-Cutting Requirements
CDBG-DR grants come with significant federal requirements that can be daunting for grantees. In SBP’s Federal Cross-Cutting Requirements webinar, we aim to demystify these intricacies. By participating, you will gain insights into streamlining grant processes while ensuring compliance with federal regulations. Learn how to protect against noncompliance pitfalls and optimize your grant execution, thereby enhancing your chances of successful grant management.
June 12: FEMA 101
The United States’ emergency management landscape can be complex, involving multiple stakeholders and programs. In the exciting FEMA 101 webinar, we provide a high-level overview of the programs administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Discover the key components of FEMA’s role in emergencies, recovery, and mitigation efforts. Additionally, we direct participants to further resources for in-depth information on each program.
June 26: Disaster Preparedness
Disasters strike unexpectedly, but preparedness can make all the difference. Join our Disaster Preparedness webinar to learn practical strategies for safeguarding your home and family. From financial readiness to property protection, our experts share valuable advice. Arm yourself with the knowledge to avoid common pitfalls and contractor fraud. Be proactive in securing your household’s safety and resilience.
To register for the seminars click here.
