Prepping in Austin
Austin has faced two winter grid crises in three years: the 2021 freeze and a 2023 ice storm that left hundreds of thousands without power for days. Add Flash Flood Alley and wildfire on the west side.
- Flash floods
- Ice storms and outages
- Wildfire
Sign up today
The official Austin alert and lookup tools. Each takes a few minutes and works even if you do nothing else on this page.
- Warn Central TexasSign up for Warn Central Texas
The official emergency alert system for Austin, Travis County and the surrounding region. Register your cell phone, email and addresses for calls, texts and emails.
- Ready Central TexasSee Austin's alert options
Austin's preparedness hub, with the Ready Central Texas app and accessible alerts in ASL for Deaf and hard-of-hearing residents.
- STEAR registryRegister with STEAR
If someone in your home would need help evacuating, register with the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry online or by calling 2-1-1.
Links checked October 2026. Wireless Emergency Alerts reach most phones automatically; these add local detail.
What can go wrong in Austin
- Flash flooding
- Austin is in Flash Flood Alley. Creeks like Onion Creek and Shoal Creek rise within minutes, and low-water crossings close fast.
- Ice storms
- In February 2023, ice brought down trees and lines across tree-lined neighborhoods and left hundreds of thousands of Austin customers without power for days.
- Winter freezes
- February 2021's storm caused power outages and a citywide boil-water notice.
- Wildfire
- Neighborhoods on the west side meet dense brush and cedar. The 2011 Bastrop fire, east of the city, destroyed more than 1,600 homes.
- Extreme heat
- Long stretches above 100°F strain the grid and make outages dangerous.
What that means for your plan
Keep warmth and water ready for winter: rated sleeping bags, a safe way to heat one room, and two weeks of water for boil notices.
If you live on the west side or near greenbelts, keep a go-bag ready and know two ways out of your neighborhood.
Never drive into flooded roads. Learn the low-water crossings near you.
Do these first, in this order
- Warn Central Texas and a NOAA weather radio
Night flash floods need something that wakes you.
Radios and communication guide - Warmth without power
Two winter grid crises in three years.
Lighting and staying warm guide - Power station
Phones, lights and medical devices through outages.
Power stations and generators guide - Two weeks of water
Boil-water notices follow freezes.
Water storage and filters guide - Go-bag
For wildfire and flood evacuations.
Go-bags and evacuation guide - Battery CO alarm
Indoor heating mistakes during outages kill people.
Power stations and generators guide
Questions
How do I get emergency alerts in Austin?
Register for Warn Central Texas, the official regional alert system, and keep Wireless Emergency Alerts on. The Ready Central Texas app adds local preparedness information.
Is Austin at risk of wildfire?
Yes, especially on the west side, where homes border brush and cedar. Keep a go-bag ready and sign up for alerts before fire season.
How ready is your Austin home?
The quiz weights every item for suburbs risks and shows your top gaps. About 3 minutes, no sign-up.