Prepping in Memphis
In January 2024, a hard freeze broke water lines across Memphis and put the whole city under a boil-water advisory for five days. And the New Madrid fault runs just to the north.
- Earthquakes
- Ice and water outages
- Tornadoes
Sign up today
The official Memphis alert and lookup tools. Each takes a few minutes and works even if you do nothing else on this page.
- Memphis AlertsSign up for Memphis Alerts
The City of Memphis's opt-in emergency alerts. Choose the alerts you want, like severe weather, hazardous spills and public health emergencies.
Links checked October 2026. Wireless Emergency Alerts reach most phones automatically; these add local detail.
What can go wrong in Memphis
- Earthquakes
- The New Madrid Seismic Zone produced huge earthquakes in 1811 and 1812. Memphis has many older buildings that weren't built for strong shaking.
- Freezes and water outages
- In January 2024, frozen and broken pipes forced a five-day, citywide boil-water advisory.
- Tornadoes and severe storms
- Spring and winter storms bring tornado warnings and damaging wind.
- Ice storms
- Ice brings down trees and lines across the city's wooded neighborhoods.
- Heat
- Hot, humid summers make outages dangerous.
What that means for your plan
Store two weeks of water. Memphis has seen citywide boil notices, and a big earthquake could break water mains for much longer.
Secure heavy furniture and water heaters, and know how to drop, cover and hold on.
Plan for outages in winter and summer: warmth, a way to cool down and a power station.
Do these first, in this order
- Two weeks of water
Boil notices and quake damage.
Water storage and filters guide - Memphis Alerts and a NOAA weather radio
Tornado warnings at night.
Radios and communication guide - Warmth without power
Freezes and ice storms.
Lighting and staying warm guide - Power station
Phones and medical devices through outages.
Power stations and generators guide - First-aid kit
Quake and storm injuries.
First aid and medical guide - Toilet plan
For when water or sewer service fails.
Sanitation and hygiene guide
Questions
Is Memphis really at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. It's near the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which produced some of the largest earthquakes in U.S. history in 1811 and 1812. Large quakes are rare, but preparing is cheap.
How do I get emergency alerts in Memphis?
Sign up for Memphis Alerts, the city's opt-in system, and keep Wireless Emergency Alerts on.
How ready is your Memphis home?
The quiz weights every item for suburbs risks and shows your top gaps. About 3 minutes, no sign-up.