Flooding can happen anywhere in the United States and is the nation's most common hazard. It can develop quickly or over a period of time. Just six inches of fast-moving water holds enough force to knock over an adult, and two feet will carry away most vehicles. Flooding actually kills more people each year than any other severe weather related hazard.
More Information: Flood Safety & Preparedness
A leak or spill from pipelines could threaten neighborhoods, contaminate water supplies, or pollute environmentally-sensitive land. A pipeline accident could have a major impact by causing injuries that result in death or permanent disability or completely shutting down critical facilities.
More Information: Pipeline Safety & Awareness
Severe weather can happen anytime, in any part of the country. Severe weather can include hazardous conditions produced by thunderstorms, including damaging winds, tornadoes, large hail, flooding and flash flooding, and winter storms associated with freezing rain, sleet, snow and strong winds.
More Information: What to do During Severe Weather
This is nature's most violent storm which can occur in many shapes and sizes. Tornadoes can be up to one mile wide and travel for long distances. Texas averages 125 tornadoes every year, which is more than any other state.
More Information: What to do During a Tornado
Drought is an extended period of time without substantial rainfall. Droughts can affect a large area, from several counties to several states. Drought can adversely impact a community’s water resources. Drought’s impact on wildlife and farming also can be enormous. Droughts can kill crops, grazing land, plants, and, in severe cases, trees. Dead or dry vegetation increases the threat and severity of wildfires.
More Information: Drought Awareness | American Red Cross Drought Preparedness
Katy gets its fair share of extreme heat. With an extended period of extreme heat, there is often high humidity. During that time, a body can be pushed beyond its limits. Illnesses range from heat cramps to heat stroke. Young children, the elderly and those who are sick or overweight are more susceptible to extreme temperatures.
More Information: Extreme Heat Preparedness
Wildfires can ruin homes and cause injuries or death to people and animals. A wildfire is an unplanned fire that burns in a natural area such as a forest, grassland, or prairie.
More Information: Wildfire Preparedness
Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over warm ocean waters and move toward land. Potential threats from hurricanes include powerful winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, tornadoes, and landslides. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
More Information: 2019 Hurricane/Severe Weather Guide
Winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion. Winter storms can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice, and high winds.
More Information: Winter Weather Preparedness
Epidemics potentially can have a far greater impact on a population a bad flu season. Many people get sick with the flu each year, but when cases skyrocket, it is considered an epidemic. When a global outbreak of a new disease occurs, causing serious illness across national borders, it is considered a pandemic.
More Information: Pandemic Preparedness | Stopping the Spread of Germs at Home, Work & School
Cover Your Cough | Be a Germ Stopper: Healthy Habits Keep You Well
Social unrest includes civil disorders, acts of mass civil disobedience, and strikes. They differ in their legality and tactics (especially the use or avoidance of violence), but all are acts by groups of people that are intended to disrupt a community or organization.
More Information: Social Unrest
More Information: Active Shooter Awareness
RUN. HIDE. FIGHT.® Surviving an Active Shooter Event - English (video) | Active Shooter Information Sheet
Hazardous Materials can come in solids, liquids and gases. These chemicals can be found everywhere from semi trucks driving down the street to underneath the kitchen sink. Some chemicals are dangerous while others may not be. It is most important to note that when chemicals are used in an unsafe manner, it can cause a threat to life, property and the environment.
More Information: Hazardous Materials Awareness
Modern society is dependent on computer systems and the internet to maintain basic functions. They are increasingly used to run the infrastructure that supports dense, urban environments.
More Information: Cyber Attack Awareness
