Emergencies can happen with little warning, including severe weather, extended power outages, wildfire conditions, flooding, and other unexpected events. Beacon Hill encourages residents to take simple steps now to protect their households, stay informed, make a plan, and prepare emergency supplies.
This page is intended as a starting point for community preparedness. Residents are encouraged to review the resources below and take action now before an emergency happens.
EMERGENCY ALERTS FOR RESIDENTS
In addition to the Kaufman County Emergency Alert System, Beacon Hill has established its own community SMS alert system for emergency-related notices affecting the neighborhood.
To receive emergency alerts related specifically to the Beacon Hill community, please submit your information using the Beacon Hill SMS Alert form here.
Kaufman County also offers an emergency alert system that can send notifications related to severe weather, power outages, water outages, traffic closures, public works issues, and public safety alerts.
Residents are encouraged to enroll in both systems so they can receive both countywide alerts and Beacon Hill-specific emergency updates.
BE INFORMED
Know where your emergency information will come from before a crisis happens. Residents should monitor trusted local weather and emergency sources, understand the difference between watches and warnings, and stay aware of hazards that may affect this area.
Helpful links:
• Texas Ready: https://texasready.gov/
• Ready.gov: https://www.ready.gov/
• North Texas Prepares: https://www.nctcog.org/ep/north-texas-prepares
• Kaufman County Office of Emergency Management: https://www.kaufmancounty.net/281/Office-of-Emergency-Management
MAKE A FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN
Every household should have a basic emergency plan. Decide how family members will contact one another, where to meet if separated, where to go if evacuation becomes necessary, and how to handle the needs of children, older adults, pets, and anyone with medical or mobility concerns.
Topics to think through:
• emergency contacts
• meeting places
• evacuation routes
• medications and medical information
• important documents
• school and work locations
• pet care arrangements
Family Emergency Plan Form:
You may not be together when disaster strikes, so it’s important to know how you’ll reconnect if separated. Use this form to create a Family Emergency Communication Plan, which you can email as a PDF file once complete. https://www.ready.gov/plan-form
Build an Emergency Kit
Prepare supplies for both sheltering in place and possible evacuation. A basic emergency kit should include water, nonperishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, chargers, first aid supplies, important documents, and pet items.
Residents may also want to keep smaller kits in different locations, such as:
• at home
• in a go-bag
• in the car
• at work
• near the bed for immediate access
Suggested items may include:
• water
• nonperishable food
• first aid kit
• flashlight or headlamp
• extra batteries
• phone charger or battery pack
• medications
• copies of important documents
• hygiene items
• clothing and shoes
• weather radio
• cash in small bills
• blankets
• pet supplies
• infant supplies if needed
Emergency Kit Checklist:
Use the checklist below to help build a kit that fits your household’s needs and where you may need to keep supplies.
DON’T FORGET PETS
Pets should be included in every emergency plan. Make sure you have food, water, medications, vaccination records, ID tags, a leash or carrier, sanitation supplies, and a plan for where your pet can go if evacuation becomes necessary.
Pet Preparedness Guide: https://www.ready.gov/pets
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE / STEAR
Residents who may need additional help during an emergency, including those with disabilities, medical needs, limited mobility, transportation needs, or personal care needs, may want to register with the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, also known as STEAR.
The STEAR program helps local emergency planners better understand community needs. Registration does not guarantee a specific emergency service, but it can provide useful information to local responders and planners.
The flyer below explains who should consider registering, what information may be requested, and how to sign up.
STEAR Single Page Flyer (English) 2025
Preparedness does not have to happen all at once. Start with one step: sign up for alerts, make a family plan, or begin building a basic emergency kit.
Small actions taken now can make a major difference later.