Emergency Management

Winter Weather Preparedness

Be Prepared for Winter Weather!

For more information, visit ready.gov/winter-weather

What You Should Know

Know what to do before, during, & after a winter storm
Listen to local officials
Have emergency supplies in place at home, at work, & in the car
Stay off the road during and after a winter storm
Have a carbon monoxide alarm in place, especially if using alternative heating devices
Use safe heating devices.

Prepare Now for Winter Weather

Know your area's risk for winter storms. Extreme winter weather could leave communities without utilities or other services.
Prepare your home with insulation, caulking & weather stripping. Protect pipes & test smoke & carbon monoxide detectors.
Pay attention to weather reports. Sign up for CodeRed alerts. The EAS & NOA Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Don't forget medicine, pet needs, & extra batteries.
Create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water & snacks.
Learn the signs & basic treatments for frostbite & hypothermia.

Survive During Winter Weather

Stay off roads
Stay indoors & dress warmly
Prepare for power outages
Use generators outside only
Listen for emergency information & alerts
Check on neighbors
Look for signs of frostbite & hypothermia

Hypothermia & Frostbite

Knowing the Signs of Hypothermia & Frostbite

For more information, visit ready.gov/winter-weather

Frostbite

Causes loss of feeling & color around the face, fingers & toes
Signs: Numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, firm or waxy skin
Actions: Go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Do not massage or use a heating pad.

Hypothermia

An unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency
Signs: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness
Actions: Go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first (chest, neck, head & groin). Keep dry & wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head & neck.

Free Programs

Be Prepared Before Severe Weather Hits

Sign up for CodeRED Alerts

Enroll in Abilene-Taylor County's emergency alert program and receive inclement weather advisories, evacuation notices, & more. To sign up:

Text ABITAYTX to 99411
Sign up at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/5B6524CD675E

Get Assistance After an Emergency Event

Register with the STEAR Program

The STEAR Program is a free registry that provides local emergency management planners & responders with information related to your needs during an emergency.

Who should register? People with disabilities, people who are medically fragile, & people with limited mobility, communication barriers, or require additional assistance. To register:

Visit stear.tdem.texas.gov
Or call 2-1-1 for assistance

Your Resource During a Disaster

Download the FEMA App

Take charge of disasters with the FEMA app, your free personalized disaster resource. Receive real-time weather alerts, send notifications to loved ones, locate emergency shelters in your area, & more.

For more information, visit fema.gov

Download the app:

Warnings, Watches & Advisories

Know Your Terms

Winter Storm Warning

Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring. Usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.

Winter Storm Watch

Alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the event is expected to begin.

Winter Weather Advisory

Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle & sleet which will cause significant inconveniences and, if caution is not taken, could lead to life-threatening situations.

Emergency Operations Plan

The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)

The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is consistent with and complements a comprehensive emergency management system for the state of Texas and the United States. Mission accomplishment will reduce the vulnerability of our citizens to injury and loss of life, and lessen the loss of property and damage to the city. This can be achieved by providing a system for the mitigation of, preparedness for, response to, and recovery from natural or man-made hazards, and terrorist threats.

Local Emergency Management

Local Emergency Management

The Mayor of each incorporated municipality and the County Judge of each county is designated as the Emergency Management Director for each such political subdivision. As the Governor’s designated agents, the Mayor and County Judge may exercise the powers, on an appropriate local scale, granted the Governor by the Texas Disaster Act of 1975.

Emergency Management Coordinator

The Mayor and County Judge may designate an Emergency Management Coordinator to serve as an assistant to the presiding officer of the political subdivision for emergency management purposes. Political subdivisions may establish inter-jurisdictional agreements to manage and mutually benefit from local emergency management programs (Abilene and Taylor County, 1994).

Program Costs

Federal dollars routed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and administered by DEM under the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) are received locally (typically $42,000 annually) to help offset program costs.