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Severe Wind Preparedness

Last updated:

05/01/2025

The Texas Panhandle is no stranger to high winds, and these winds can pose risks to public health, driving conditions, and cause power outages. To help Amarillo residents stay safe, here’s a guide with tips on how to protect yourself and your family during severe wind events.

Public Health Safety During High Winds

Protecting Yourself from Wind Exposure
  • Stay Indoors: High winds can carry dust and debris, which can cause respiratory issues. Stay indoors as much as possible during severe wind events, especially if you have asthma, allergies, or respiratory conditions.
  • Limit Outdoor Activities: If you must go outside, wear protective eyewear and a mask to avoid inhaling dust or debris. Cover your face with a scarf or cloth for added protection.
  • Hydrate and Moisturize: Dry, windy conditions can dehydrate your skin and respiratory system. Drink plenty of water and use a humidifier or moisturizer to protect your skin and lungs.
Wildfire Risk
  • Stay Alert to Wildfires: High winds increase the risk of wildfires spreading quickly. Avoid open flames, discard cigarettes properly, and refrain from burning leaves or other debris.
  • Prepare for Evacuations: If you live in a wildfire-prone area, have a plan in place for evacuations. Ensure your emergency kit includes essentials like water, medications, important documents, and a flashlight.
  • Know Fire Safety Procedures: Keep fire extinguishers in the home and know how to use them. Follow local authorities’ guidance regarding fire danger and possible evacuations.

Driving Safety During High Winds and Low Visibility

Driving in High Winds
  • Avoid Driving If Possible: If you can, stay off the roads during extreme wind conditions. High winds can make driving dangerous, especially for high-profile vehicles like trucks, buses, and RVs.
  • Keep Both Hands on the Wheel: Grip the steering wheel firmly and maintain control, as wind gusts can make your vehicle unstable.
  • Slow Down and Keep Distance: Reduce your speed and keep a safe distance from other vehicles, especially larger trucks or trailers. Strong crosswinds can push vehicles off course unexpectedly.
  • Watch for Debris: High winds can blow debris onto the road, such as tree branches, signs, or trash. Stay alert and be ready to react quickly.
Low Visibility
  • Use Your Lights: In addition to headlights, use your fog lights or emergency flashers if visibility is extremely poor due to blowing dust or smoke.
  • Pull Over Safely: If visibility is reduced to the point where it’s unsafe to drive, pull over to the side of the road and wait until conditions improve. Use your parking brake and turn on your hazard lights.
  • Avoid Bridges and Overpasses: Wind gusts can be more intense on bridges and overpasses, making these areas particularly dangerous during high winds.

Electricity Power Shut-Offs

Preparing for Power Outages
  • Emergency Kit: Keep a fully stocked emergency kit with essentials such as batteries, flashlights, a battery-powered radio, backup phone chargers, and non-perishable food items.
  • Charge Devices in Advance: Before a windstorm, charge phones and devices to ensure they remain operational during a power outage.
  • Backup Power Sources: If possible, invest in a portable generator to keep essential appliances running during an outage. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation.
  • Xcel Energy Contact Information: If the power goes out, contact Xcel Energy for updates and assistance. Residential: (800) 895-1999, Business: (800) 481-4700.
Protecting Food During Power Outages
  • Refrigeration Tips: Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to maintain temperature for up to 4 hours. If the power is out for more than 4 hours, transfer food to coolers with ice.
  • Dispose of Unsafe Food: Perishable food that has been at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be discarded to prevent foodborne illness.
Power and Comfort Centers

During severe wind events that result in widespread power outages, the City of Amarillo, along with our partners, will work to establish Power and Comfort Centers throughout the community. These centers will provide a safe space for residents to charge devices, access water, and find shelter from extreme conditions.

Stay Informed: To find out where Power and Comfort Centers will be located during each event, please stay connected with our Office of Emergency Management social media pages and follow City of Amarillo communications. We will provide up-to-date information on available locations and services.

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City of Amarillo: Property Taxes Rebated Per Year by Agreement Type 

Overview 

The chart shows the dollar amounts of property taxes rebated per year over the last five fiscal years, broken down by agreement type. There were no Chapter 380 property tax rebates in the first two years listed. The total amount increased slightly each year, with a more significant increase in the most recent year. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Chapter 311 

$533,080 

$547,426 

$574,947 

$591,249 

$821,350 

Chapter 380 

$0 

$0 

$37,387 

$39,172 

$61,013 

Presentation 

The bar chart shows the amount of property taxes rebated in the past five fiscal years, broken down by agreement type. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the dollar amount rebated. For each fiscal year there is vertical column, comprised of two stacked columns, each of which representing the different agreement types. 

City of Amarillo: Number of Tax Abatements Granted Per Year 

Overview 

The chart shows the number of businesses that received a tax abatement from the City of Amarillo in the past five fiscal years. The 2020/21 and 2021/22 fiscal years each had four active abatements, 2022/23 had five, and 2023/24 and 2024/25 each had seven. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Active Abatements Per Year 

4 

4 

5 

7 

7 

Presentation 

The bar chart shows the number of businesses that received a tax abatement from the City of Amarillo in the past five fiscal years. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the number of active abatements each year. Each year has one column, with the height indicating number of active abatements in that year.

Amount of Taxes Abated Per Year 

Overview 

The chart shows the dollar amounts abated over the past five fiscal years from Chapter 312 tax abatement agreements. Each fiscal year shows a larger dollar amount abated, with minor growth over the first three years, a higher increase in the fourth year, and minor growth again in the fifth year. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Taxes Abated by City of Amarillo 

$510,061 

$623,017 

$679,849 

$965,261 

$1,143,899 

Total Abated by All Entities Including City of Amarillo 

$1,569,512 

$1,926,332 

$2,103,099 

$2,884,936 

$2,959,496 

Presentation 

The bar chart represents the amount of taxes abated over the past five fiscal years. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the dollar amount abated. The bar representing taxes abated by the City of Amarillo is sightly offset to the side of the bar representing the amount abated by all participating tax entities for each fiscal year. This shows that the amount abated by the City of Amarillo is a part of the total amount abated by all entities.

City of Amarillo: Taxes Rebated Per Year by Type 

Overview 

This chart shows the dollar amounts rebated by the City of Amarillo from economic development incentive agreements over the past five fiscal years. Each year is broken down by rebate type, including property tax rebates, hotel occupancy tax rebates, and sales tax rebates. Each fiscal year shows a slight increase in total dollars rebated, with a more drastic increase in the most recent fiscal year. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Property Tax Rebates 

$533,080 

$547,426 

$612,334 

$630,421 

$882,363 

Hotel Occupancy Tax Rebates 

$686,747 

$753,112 

$794,828 

$871,423 

$808,348 

Sales Tax Rebates 

$0 

$21,046 

$55,528 

$45,881 

$368,716 

 

Presentation 

The bar chart represents the amount rebated by the City of Amarillo for each type of tax rebate over the past five fiscal years. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the dollar amount rebated. The different rebate types are stacked vertically in each fiscal year, with the height representing the total dollar amount rebated.