Severe Storms

Weather awareness is key for emergency preparedness. The City of Coppell's Emergency Management Department recommends all residents utilize three different methods of emergency notification, such as text or email alerts from NotifyCoppell, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) All-Hazards Radio, and a smartphone application.

Sign up for emergency notifications through NotifyCoppell. You will need to provide your name, email and phone number. You can sign up to receive notifications about a variety of weather advisories, watches and warnings. 

Ensure that your phone is charged and you have access to back-up chargers and batteries so you can stay informed in the event of a power outage. 

Please visit the Emergency Management page for more information about preparedness.

When a severe storm strikes, city services may be cut off and disaster relief responders may not be able to reach those in need immediately. It is important to have a plan and supplies in place before a storm hits to sustain yourself and your family. 

Develop an Emergency Plan

• List all family members, including pets
• List places where you and your family spend the majority of their time such as school or work
• Designate meeting places in case you are separated
• Know where your shelter in place location is at home, work, and/or school and when to utilize it
• Be sure to practice your emergency plan at least once a year

Prepare an Emergency Kit

An emergency kit should include, but is not limited to:

• Water - one gallon per person per day
• Food - at least a three day supply of non perishables
• Hygiene items
• Radio - battery powered or hand crank
• Flashlight - with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Garbage bags
• Whistle - to signal for help
• Local maps
• Cash
• Dust Mask
• Tools 
• Items for special needs family members or infants including medication and diapers
• Items for pets such as food and leash

Tornadoes

• Tornadoes are most likely to occur in the spring and summer months, but they are a threat in Texas year round
• Tornadoes can develop quickly sometimes without advance warning. Know the signs:
  • Dark sky
  • Wall cloud - heavy, low, rain free cloud that may rotate
  • Large hail
  • A loud roar
  • Flying debris
• If a tornado watch is issued, this means conditions are right to produce a tornado
• If a tornado warning is issued, a tornado has been spotted or there is a credible threat - seek shelter immediately
• If you hear the emergency notification sirens sound outside of a routine monthly test, seek shelter immediately
• Effective shelter from a tornado includes a basement or an interior room on the lowest level of the building with no windows such as a bathroom or underneath the stairs
• Don't try to outrun a tornado in a car. Leave it and find shelter.
• Mobile homes should always be evacuated during severe storms
• If there is no shelter, find a low lying area such as a ditch, lay flat on your stomach and cover your head with your hands

Thunderstorms

• Thunderstorms occur year round and most commonly in the afternoon in North Texas
• The largest threat during a thunderstorm is lightning as it kills more people each year than tornadoes
• If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Take cover indoors or inside a vehicle.
• Avoid bodies of water such as lakes as water conducts electricity
• Avoid using electrical appliances until the threat has passed
• If you are struck by lightning or are with somebody who has been struck: Call 911 immediately and administer CPR if necessary

Hail

• During a storm, cold air causes raindrops to freeze into small blocks of ice as they fall, creating hail
• Hail of any size can cause damage to people and property. Be sure to:
  • Take shelter and stay away from windows
  • Protect assets by moving vehicles, boats, and outdoor furniture to shelter
  • Use caution as hail makes surfaces slick for walking and driving
  • Pull over to a safe place while driving through a hailstorm and turn the car so hail hits the safety glass of the windshield

General

In case of an emergency, dial 9-1-1. 

Non emergency dispatch

469-289-3270 or *247 from a cellular phone

Utilities

If you need assistance turning utilities off, reporting a leak or outage or general inquiries:

Water Service Disruption

City of Coppell Utility Billing Division - 972-304-3695 

Water Leaks, Sewer Back-Ups, and Water Quality Issues

City of Coppell Utility Operations - 972-462-5150

Electricity

Report a power outage, downed power line, or streetlight outage:

Oncor - 888-313-4747

Natural Gas

Atmos Energy provides natural gas service in Coppell - 888-286-6700