How to Prepare for a Texas Heatwave

3 hours ago

Extreme heat is part of life in Texas, but that does not mean every dangerously hot day should be treated like an ordinary summer afternoon.

A heatwave can place additional strain on your home, your daily routine and your health, especially when high temperatures continue for several days without much relief overnight. Preparing before the heat peaks can help your household stay cooler, safer and more comfortable.

You do not need an elaborate emergency plan. A few practical steps involving your home, schedule, water supply and backup options can make a meaningful difference when temperatures climb.

Prepare Before Temperatures Peak

Start by monitoring local forecasts, heat alerts and the heat index, which reflects how hot conditions feel when temperature and humidity are combined.

The National Weather Service uses different alerts to communicate the level of risk:

A Heat Advisory means dangerous heat conditions are expected and precautions should be taken.
An Extreme Heat Watch means conditions are favorable for an extreme heat event, giving households time to prepare.
An Extreme Heat Warning means extremely dangerous conditions are expected or already occurring and immediate action is necessary.

When dangerous heat is forecast, adjust your plans before the day arrives. Schedule errands, yardwork, exercise and other outdoor activities for earlier in the morning or later in the evening whenever possible. If an activity cannot be rescheduled, reduce its intensity, take frequent breaks and identify a cool place where you can recover.

Prepare your home by closing blinds or curtains on windows that receive direct sunlight. Check your air-conditioning filter, use weather stripping to limit warm air entering the home and avoid unnecessary heat from ovens or other appliances during the hottest hours.

If your home does not have reliable air conditioning, locate a nearby cooling center, public library, community center or the home of a trusted friend or relative before you need it.

Keep Water and Cooling Supplies Ready

During extreme heat, water should be easy to reach rather than something you remember after spending time outdoors. Fill reusable bottles before leaving home, keep cold water available and encourage everyone in the household to drink regularly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends carrying a water bottle and refilling it throughout the day. Individual needs can vary, but hot weather, physical activity and time outdoors can all increase the body’s need for fluids.

For more information, learn about the hidden effects of everyday dehydration.

Ice can also support your heatwave plan. Use it to fill insulated bottles, prepare a cooler or make a cold compress. If you expect family members to spend time outdoors, prepare more water and ice than you would on an ordinary day.

The NECOA Smart Water Purifier provides purified cold water and built-in purified ice in one system, making it easier to fill bottles and prepare drinks before heading into the heat. However, any powered appliance may become unavailable during an outage, so a separate emergency water supply is still important.

Remember to check on people who may need additional support, including older adults, young children, people with limited mobility, individuals with certain medical conditions and anyone who lives alone. Pets also need continuous access to fresh water and a cool indoor environment. Never leave a person or pet inside a parked vehicle, even briefly.

Plan for a Power Outage

Extreme heat can coincide with power outages, removing access to air conditioning when it matters most. A simple backup plan can prevent your household from having to make decisions under pressure.

Before a heatwave:

Charge phones and portable battery packs.
Keep flashlights and batteries in an easy-to-find location.
Store emergency drinking water separately.
Know where you can go if your home becomes dangerously warm.
Write down important phone numbers in case a device loses power.
Consider the needs of refrigerated medications and powered medical equipment.
Keep your vehicle fueled or sufficiently charged.
Sign up for local emergency notifications.

During an outage, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. If your home becomes dangerously hot, relocate to an air-conditioned public location or the home of someone you trust. Ready.gov recommends going to a community location with power when extreme temperatures make remaining at home unsafe.

Do not wait until you feel ill to leave. Transportation, phone service and nearby cooling locations may become more difficult to access as an outage continues.

Recognize the Warning Signs

Heat-related illness can develop quickly, and the person experiencing it may not recognize how serious the situation has become.

Signs of heat exhaustion can include:

Headache
Nausea
Dizziness
Weakness
Heavy sweating
Thirst
Irritability
Reduced urine output
Elevated body temperature

Move the person to a cooler area, remove unnecessary clothing, use cool water or cold compresses and provide frequent sips of water if the person is alert and able to drink. Do not leave them alone. Seek medical assistance if symptoms worsen or do not improve.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Warning signs can include confusion, slurred speech, loss of coordination, seizures, loss of consciousness or a very high body temperature. The skin may be hot and dry, but heavy sweating can also occur.

Call 911 immediately if heat stroke is suspected. Move the person to a cooler area and begin cooling them with cold water, wet cloths, cold compresses or an ice bath while emergency help is on the way.

Your Texas Heatwave Checklist

Before the next stretch of extreme heat, make sure you can answer yes to the following:

Are weather alerts enabled on your phone?
Is your air conditioner working properly?
Do you know where the nearest cooling location is?
Do you have water and cooling supplies ready?
Are phones and portable batteries charged?
Have outdoor activities been moved away from peak heat?
Does everyone in the household know the signs of heat-related illness?
Have you checked on relatives, neighbors and pets?
Do you have a plan if the power goes out?

Texas heat may be familiar, but familiarity should not turn into complacency. Preparing early can reduce stress, help your household stay comfortable and make it easier to respond if conditions become dangerous.

Stay informed, keep cool and make water readily available before the heat arrives.

Start your 14-day risk-free trial and experience convenient access to purified hot water, cold water and ice at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Heat Advisory and an Extreme Heat Warning?

A Heat Advisory indicates that dangerous heat conditions are expected and precautions should be taken. An Extreme Heat Warning indicates that extremely dangerous conditions are expected or already occurring and immediate action is necessary.

When should I prepare for a heatwave?

Begin preparing when an Extreme Heat Watch is issued or several days of unusually high temperatures appear in the forecast. Checking cooling equipment, adjusting outdoor plans and gathering supplies early can prevent last-minute problems.

How can I keep my home cooler during extreme heat?

Close blinds and curtains against direct sunlight, check the air-conditioning filter, limit oven use and reduce warm air entering through doors and windows. If the home cannot remain safely cool, relocate to an air-conditioned location.

What should I do if someone shows signs of heat stroke?

Call 911 immediately. Move the person to a cooler location and begin cooling them with cold water, wet cloths, cold compresses or an ice bath while waiting for emergency assistance.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is provided for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Individual risks and hydration needs may vary. Call 911 immediately if heat stroke or another medical emergency is suspected.