Prepping in Fort Worth
A tornado tore through downtown Fort Worth in 2000. The bigger yearly risks are hail, flash floods and ice that turns roads deadly, as the 2021 I-35W pileup showed.
- Tornadoes and hail
- Ice storms
- Flash floods
Sign up today
The official Fort Worth alert and lookup tools. Each takes a few minutes and works even if you do nothing else on this page.
- ReadyFWSign up for ReadyFW
Fort Worth's alert and notification system sends texts, calls and emails for weather warnings and public safety alerts. Signing up creates a free Smart911 profile.
- Tarrant County emergency notificationsSee Tarrant County alerts
Tarrant County Emergency Management's alert options for residents across the county.
- 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 Fort Worth
- Tornadoes
- North Texas is tornado country. A tornado struck downtown Fort Worth in March 2000, shattering high-rise windows.
- Hail
- Large hail is a near-yearly event, breaking windows, roofs and windshields.
- Ice storms
- Ice makes roads deadly. In February 2021, a pileup of more than 100 vehicles on icy I-35W in Fort Worth killed six people.
- Flash flooding
- Heavy downpours flood low roads and underpasses quickly.
- Extreme heat
- Summer highs near or above 100°F make outages dangerous.
What that means for your plan
Know your tornado shelter: the lowest floor, an interior room with no windows. Keep shoes, a helmet and a flashlight there.
When roads ice over, stay home if you can. If you must drive, keep a car kit with blankets, water and a charged phone.
Turn around at flooded roads. Underpasses and low-water crossings are where most flood rescues happen.
Do these first, in this order
- NOAA weather radio and ReadyFW
Night tornado warnings need something that wakes you.
Radios and communication guide - Warmth without power
Ice storms bring outages in the cold.
Lighting and staying warm guide - Power station
Phones, lights and a fan through outages.
Power stations and generators guide - Two weeks of water
Freezes bring burst pipes and boil notices.
Water storage and filters guide - Go-bag and car kit
For storms that hit while you're on the road.
Go-bags and evacuation guide - First-aid kit
Hail and storm cleanup bring injuries.
First aid and medical guide
Questions
Does Fort Worth have tornado sirens?
Yes, but outdoor sirens are meant for people outside. Indoors, rely on a weather radio, Wireless Emergency Alerts and ReadyFW.
How do I get emergency alerts in Fort Worth?
Sign up for ReadyFW, the city's alert system, which uses a free Smart911 profile. Also keep Wireless Emergency Alerts on and consider a NOAA weather radio.
How ready is your Fort Worth home?
The quiz weights every item for suburbs risks and shows your top gaps. About 3 minutes, no sign-up.