Do 1 Thing to Prepare for Emergency

Published on September 16, 2025

September is National Preparedness Month, do one thing to prepare for an emergency.

September is National Preparedness Month, and there's no better time to take simple, effective steps toward being ready for emergencies! This year, we're encouraging everyone to "Do 1 Thing" to help build emergency preparedness into their lives, one small step at a time.

Pick your first "thing" this month!

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

Sign up for free emergency alerts from McLennan County. Get notified about severe storms, flash floods, tornadoes, and other emergencies. You can also customize your alerts to receive notifications for multiple locations whether you’re at home, work, or your child’s school. Get the information you need when it matters most.

Secure Important Documents

Gather critical items like birth certificates, passports, and insurance policies in a safe and secure place. Remember to take photos or scan digital copies and save them to a flash drive or a secure cloud service.

Don't Be Left in the Dark

Power outages can happen without warning. Create a small kit for a power outage with a flashlight, batteries, a portable charger for your phone, and an LED lantern.

Pack A Go-Bag

Assemble a basic grab-and-go bag with essentials like water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, and a first-aid kit. Keep it in an easily accessible place. A "go bag" can make a world of difference when you need to evacuate quickly.

Prepare Your Pet for Emergencies

Prepare a separate go bag for your pet. Include food, water, medications, a leash, and copies of their vet records. To help ensure you're reunited if you get separated, make sure your pet has a collar with an ID tag and is microchipped with your current contact information. Our furry friends need a plan, too!

More Ways You Can Get Prepared

Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for three days.
Make an emergency communication plan. Know how you'll reconnect if you get separated.
Identify safe places to take cover during severe weather, both at home and at work.
Consider taking courses in CPR and basic first aid. These skills can be invaluable in a crisis situation.

Be prepared and stay safe, Waco!