How to Prepare for and React to Natural Disasters

September 8, 2023 | by Anna Orendain

Categories: Texas Foundations Fund

Because Texas is one of the largest states in the country, it's no surprise that our state experiences a variety of severe weather throughout the year. Whether it's extreme heat, hurricanes, tornadoes, flash flooding, wildfires, winter storms, or other types of severe weather, we know it can seem overwhelming.

That's why this week we've gathered a variety of disaster preparedness tips and resources to help prepare you for emergency situations and recover from them.

• Be informed. Natural disasters can often occur without much advanced notice, but keeping an eye on up-to-date weather forecasts and educating yourself on the risks of different types of disasters will better help you understand the steps you need to take to stay safe.
• Have a plan. Make sure your household members are in-the-know about what to do in the case of a disaster. This emergency plan can include a meet-up location, a communication plan if phones stop working, and how to keep kids and/or pets safe. 
• Create an emergency supply kit. Whether it's homemade, store-bought, or a mix of both, it's important to have a supply of food, water, and medicine ready to go at a moment's notice. If you need ideas of what to include in this kit, this checklist is ready to help.
• Evaluate your coverage. As important as it is to ensure the safety of yourself and your household members, it's just as much of a priority to make sure you'll be able to make the necessary repairs to make sure your home is safe and comfortable after its damaged in a disaster situation. Be sure to check with your insurance company to confirm that you'll be covered for the types of disasters that affect your community.

TSAHC Funding for Disaster Recovery Efforts

In 2022, TSAHC launched the Texas Foundations Fund: Disaster Recovery program, an extension of our annual Texas Foundations Fund. After Winter Storm Uri left many Texans devastated in 2021, TSAHC wanted to create a program that would more efficiently provide funding to nonprofit repair organizations in the wake of a potential disaster.

The Texas Foundations Fund: Disaster Recovery program accepts applications throughout the year on a rolling basis. As long as funding is still available, organizations within our partner network will be able to help their communities recover and rebuild immediately following a disaster. 

Click here for more information about our Texas Foundations: Disaster Recovery program. We are currently updating the program's guidelines to make sure funding is available year round, and we anticipate the new guidelines will be approved in early fall.

oTher Disaster Preparedness Resources

• Texas Ready's Disaster Preparedness Portal
• Texas General Land Office Tornado Preparedness Tips
• Texas Department of Transportation Severe Weather Travel Tips
• Texas General Land Office Wildfire Preparedness Resources
• Houston Hurricane Preparedness Pamphlet
• Texas Emergency Portal

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On the House blog posts are meant to provide general information on various housing-related issues, research and programs. We are not liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the information provided by blog sources. Furthermore, this blog is not legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney.