Protective Actions – City of Houston Emergency Operations Center

Flood Prone Roadways in Houston

The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management (OEM) urges residents and visitors to avoid Houston roadways during periods of prolonged or intense rainfall. OEM, in partnership with Houston Public Works and the TxDOT Houston District, has produced an interactive map of roadway segments, freeway/ tollroad segments, and underpasses that are especially prone to flooding. Travelers should heed special caution around these locations.

Houston residents should take precautions during extreme heat

Extreme Heat | Tips to Stay Cool

When the heat index rises above 108F for two days, the National Weather Service may issue a Heat Advisory.

The Heat Index is a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature. This is better explained as what the heat "feels like" rather than the actual temperature outside.

Protective Actions for Houston Hazards

Periodically, Houston is subject to hazardous situations of various size and severity. Below are recommended Protective Actions for different threats that may occur.

Large Structural Fire
Protective Actions
People are asked to avoid the area until the fire is contained, to allow emergency vehicles clear access to and from the scene. Drivers may experience reduced visibility from heavy smoke.

Prolonged exposure to smoke can cause negative health effects. Residents in the immediate area are advised to seek shelter indoors, shut off air conditioning and heating systems, and close all windows and doors until the smoke clears. People with heart or breathing conditions, such as asthma, may be more sensitive and should seek immediate medical attention if their condition is aggravated or they experience shortness of breath or chest pains.

Stay Informed
People in the impacted area should stay informed through official channels: local news stations, official social media channels (Twitter and Facebook), and news radio stations 88.7FM or 740AM. Only call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies.

Gas Leak
Protective Actions
Avoid the Area
As a precaution, the Houston Fire Department is asking people to avoid the area until the situation is resolved and they have cleared the scene.

Shelter in Place Due to Law Enforcement Activity
Protective Actions
Shelter In Place
Residents in the area:
should shelter in the nearest building, close and lock all windows and doors, and stay low to the ground.

People outside the boundary should avoid driving into the area until the scene has cleared.

Shelter in Place Due to Hazardous Chemical Release
Protective Actions
In order to protect public safety, the Houston Fire Department has ordered a Shelter-in-Place for the following areas until further notice:

Shelter In Place
Residents in the area:
should shelter-in-place immediately. This material may be dangerous to your health. This means people should seek shelter inside a building and remain inside until the danger passes.

Close all doors and windows. Shut off heating and cooling systems. Take shelter in an interior room. If you are able, seal the door to your shelter room with plastic sheeting and or duct tape.
If you seal yourself in an interior room, make sure you have access to communications (radio, mobile phone, etc) so you know when the Shelter in Place is lifted.
Vehicles can offer some protection for a short period of time if the windows are closed and the ventilating systems are turned off. However, vehicles are less effective than buildings for shelter-in-place protection.

Evacuation and Shelter in Place Due to Hazardous Chemicals Release

Protective Actions
In order to protect public safety, the Houston Fire Department has ordered people in the areas below to take the following actions until further notice:

Shelter In Place
Residents in the area:
should shelter-in-place immediately. This means people should seek shelter inside a building and remain inside until the danger passes.

Close all doors and windows. Shut off heating and cooling systems. Take shelter in an interior room. If you are able, seal the door to your shelter room with plastic sheeting and or duct tape.
If you seal yourself in an interior room, make sure you have access to communications (radio, mobile phone, etc) so you know when the Shelter in Place is lifted.
Vehicles can offer some protection for a short period of time if the windows are closed and the ventilating systems are turned off. However, vehicles are less effective than buildings for shelter-in-place protection.

Evacuate
Residents in the area:
should evacuate the area immediately.

Shelter Open to Displaced Residents
Protective Actions
Residents who need immediate shelter can go to the following location or call the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross at 713.525.8300.

Transit Advisory
Protective Actions
Stay Informed
For up-to-date traffic information, follow @METROHouAlerts and @METROHouston on Twitter and RideMETROAlerts on Facebook.

Traffic Advisory
Protective Actions
Stay Informed
For up-to-date traffic information, visit traffic.houstontranstar.org and follow @HoustonTranStar and @TXDOTHouston on Twitter.

Silver Alert
How to Help
Law enforcement believes this senior's disappearance presents a credible threat to their own health and/or safety.

Please report any information about this missing person to the police immediately.

AMBER Alert
How to Help
Law enforcement believes this child's disappearance presents a real threat to their life and/or safety.

Please report any information about this missing child to the police.

DO NOT attempt to apprehend the suspect. Please call police immediately if you spot the suspect.

Blue Alert
How to Help
Police believe the suspect poses an imminent threat to the public and law enforcement. DO NOT attempt to apprehend this person. Please call police (9-1-1) immediately if you spot the suspect.