Prepping in Philadelphia
Philly's dangers are heat in rowhomes, rivers that rise fast, and winter storms. Most households will shelter in place, so the plan is about lasting at home.
- Heat waves
- Flooding
- Winter storms
Sign up today
The official Philadelphia alert and lookup tools. Each takes a few minutes and works even if you do nothing else on this page.
- ReadyPhiladelphiaSign up for ReadyPhiladelphia
The City's free emergency alerts by text, email and call, for the addresses you choose.
Links checked October 2026. Wireless Emergency Alerts reach most phones automatically; these add local detail.
What can go wrong in Philadelphia
- Heat waves
- Brick rowhomes hold heat for days. Older residents living alone are most at risk.
- River and flash flooding
- In 2021, Ida's rain pushed the Schuylkill River over its banks and flooded the Vine Street Expressway.
- Winter storms
- Snow and ice close roads and bring down power lines.
- Basement flooding
- Heavy rain backs up sewers into rowhome basements.
What that means for your plan
In a heat emergency, the top floor of a rowhome can be the hottest room in the city. Keep a fan that runs off battery power, cooling towels, and a plan to get somewhere cool. Check on older neighbors.
If your basement floods, keep valuables and supplies on shelves, not the floor, and don't go into a flooded basement while the power is on.
Store two weeks of water, keep a go-bag by the door and know two ways out of your neighborhood. Flooding near the rivers can close nearby roads quickly.
Do these first, in this order
- ReadyPhiladelphia alerts
Heat health emergencies, floods and storms.
Radios and communication guide - Power station and fan
For heat-wave outages.
Power stations and generators guide - Two weeks of water
Stackable containers fit in a rowhome closet.
Water storage and filters guide - Go-bag by the door
For floods and fires.
Go-bags and evacuation guide - Warmth without power
Winter outages in old housing get cold fast.
Lighting and staying warm guide - Headlamps
Basements and stairwells go dark first.
Lighting and staying warm guide
Questions
How do I get emergency alerts in Philadelphia?
Sign up for ReadyPhiladelphia through the City's emergency alerts page. You can get alerts by text, email or phone for the addresses you choose.
How do I stay safe in a heat wave in a rowhome?
Spend the hottest hours on the lowest floor or somewhere air-conditioned, drink water regularly, use fans with windows open only when it's cooler outside, and check on neighbors who live alone.
How ready is your Philadelphia home?
The quiz weights every item for city apartment risks and shows your top gaps. About 3 minutes, no sign-up.