Harris County, Texas — This September marks the 21st Annual National Preparedness Month which emphasizes the importance of preparing communities across the nation for catastrophic events. The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) supports the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready Campaign year-round by providing critical disaster preparedness information and resources to the residents of Harris County.
“Disasters can happen at any time of year, and without warning, which means preparedness must be a constant priority for all of us,” said Harris County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Sloan. “Everyone should have a plan to keep themselves and their families safe from whatever may come their way.”
To support this year’s campaign, HCOHSEM released two new educational resources including a “Ready for Anything” video, available in English, Spanish and ASL captioned. The video explains:
• What items should be in an emergency kit
• What residents should consider when creating an emergency plan
• How to register for emergency alerts
• How to get involved in community preparedness.
HCOHSEM also released its redesigned Emergency Preparedness Guide, intended to help residents take their first step towards readiness. The guide includes essential resources, emergency contacts, useful websites and preparedness information for a variety of hazards. Digital copies of the guide are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Arabic at www.readyharris.org. Throughout September, HCOHSEM will continue to share these resources and other preparedness tips on all @ReadyHarris social media platforms.
“Preparedness begins at home,” added Sloan. “By taking these simple steps now, we can strengthen our community’s ability to respond and recover when a disaster strikes.”
To find out how you can get involved in your community, visit the Harris County Citizen Corps website.
Residents are urged to take this time to ensure they can receive critical emergency alerts, warnings, and life-safety information. Sign up for Ready Harris Alerts or Ready Harris Accessible Alerts at www.readyharris.org. Text GULF2025 to 888777 for 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season updates. Additionally, check the settings on your mobile device to confirm it is enabled to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) from the National Weather Service and other trusted partners. Apple | Android
ABOUT HCOHSEM
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is the Director of the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, a national model of best practices in emergency planning, preparation, response, and recovery. HCOHSEM helps prepare, safeguard, and protect the residents and property of Harris County from the effects of disasters through effective planning, preparation, response, and recovery activities.