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Harris County, TX, September 30, 2025, In recognition of National Preparedness Month, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and local emergency leaders today hosted a town hall on emergency preparedness. During the town hall, panelists discussed topics including how to prepare for chemical hazards, fire safety, alert systems, pets, supporting the most vulnerable, and preparing for large-scale events like the FIFA World Cup.

“It’s such an important part of my job to help guide the community during emergencies that I wanted to have a check-in and make sure the community knows even though there’s not an emergency right now, we’re not taking anything for granted. We are always preparing for the next disaster, and we will need the community’s help if and when disaster strikes again,” said Judge Lina Hidalgo.

The other town hall panelists included:

• Mark Sloan, Harris County Homeland Security & Emergency Management Coordinator
• Jeff Lindner, Harris County Flood Control District Chief Meteorologist                               
• Chief Laurie Christensen, Harris County Fire Marshal
• Shawn Schulze, Regional Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Gulf Coast Region, American Red Cross

Below are some of the resources that Judge Hidalgo and the other panelists shared during the town hall:

Preparing for Emergencies

• Flood Insurance: Flood insurance is important for every homeowner, even if you have never flooded before. For more information on flood insurance, visit https://www.floodsmart.gov/.

• State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR): STEAR is a free registry that provides local emergency management planners and responders with information about vulnerable communities or people who might need extra support during an emergency – including people with disabilities, seniors, those with limited mobility, and more. If you sign up for STEAR, you will receive a call during an emergency checking in to see if you need assistance or information. Register here: https://stear.texas.gov/.

• Sign up for emergency alerts: Make sure that your mobile device is set to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) today. Visit these links below for more information: Apple: bit.ly/4nTHKYd and Android: https://bit.ly/46VbOg3.

During Emergencies

• Harris County Flood Warning System: Harris County has more than 350 gauges that track water levels across our community to help monitor rainfall and predict flooding during an emergency. Check your neighborhood’s flood risk in real time here: https://www.harriscountyfws.org/.

• 2-1-1: 2-1-1 is a free, confidential helpline operated by United Way of Greater Houston, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. During emergencies, Harris County residents can call 2-1-1 as a way to get more information on how to receive support or request emergency resources.

• Ready Harris: Visit readyharris.org for the latest information about emergency resources before, during and after a disaster. Text Ready to (281) 609-9093 to sign up for Ready Harris alerts.

Community Trainings

• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT): CERT is a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program that educates citizens about the hazards they face in their communities and trains them in lifesaving skills. CERT members provide immediate assistance to victims in their area, organize spontaneous volunteers who have not had the training, and collect disaster intelligence that will assist professional responders with prioritization and allocation of resources when they arrive. To find more information or sign up for a CERT training in Harris County, visit https://www.harriscountycitizencorps.com/CERT.

Please email the County Judge’s Office at [email protected] if you have any other questions about emergency preparedness resources.

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