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Our thoughts are with the Central Texas communities recently affected by catastrophic flooding. Humanities Texas maintains a list of disaster response and recovery resources from across Texas and the nation for cultural institutions and arts organizations. The resources below include guidance on protecting and preserving historic properties, humanities collections, personal archives, and family heritage items. We will continue to update this list throughout 2026..
If you are seeking immediate assistance with disaster preparedness or if your collections have been impacted, contact National Heritage Responders at 202.661.8068 or TX-CERA (Texas Collections Emergency Resource Alliance) at 669.237.2243 for expert guidance and on-site support.
If your cultural institution or arts organization was affected by a recent storm, we encourage you to complete a HENTF Rapid Damage Assessment Form. Specific forms are available for cultural institutions, arts organizations, and individual artists and performing groups.
Members of the public and individual artists who have questions about saving family heirlooms and personal collections can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org.
American Alliance of Museums
Developing a Disaster Preparedness/Emergency Response Plan
Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Plan
Facilities and Risk Management Standards
American Institute for Conservation
National Heritage Responders
Preparedness Tools
Disaster Response and Recovery
The National Heritage Responders (NHR) are available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance in response to the needs of cultural institutions and the public during emergencies and disasters through coordinated efforts with first responders, state agencies, vendors, and the public.
NHR Emergency Help Line:
- Institutions, if your collections have been affected by an emergency, call 202.661.8068.
- Individuals, if your personal items have been damaged in an emergency, email NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org.
- Not urgent? Email emergencies@culturalheritage.org.
American Library Association
Library Disaster Preparedness and Response
Council of State Archivists
The Getty Conservation Institute
Building an Emergency Plan: A Guide for Museums and Other Cultural Institutions
Heritage Emergency National Task Force
Resources
Save Your Family Treasures
Texas Emergency Response Resources
FEMA Public Assistance Program Delivery
FEMA Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide
The Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF), co-sponsored by FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution, strives to protect cultural and historic resources in our nation’s states, tribes, territories, and local communities from the damaging effects of disasters. Questions can be directed to fema-hentf@fema.dhs.gov.
In addition to assisting museums and other cultural institutions when their collections are damaged by an event, HENTF helps reduce disaster suffering by assisting the public in salvaging flood-damaged family heirlooms.
Cultural institutions or arts organizations impacted by natural disaster are encourages to fill out one of the following Rapid Damage Assessment Forms:
Harvey Arts Recovery
Hurricane Preparedness Tool Kit
Houston Arts Alliance
Library of Congress
National Park Service
Museum Handbook, Part I: Museum Collections, Chapter 10: Emergency Planning
National Center for Preservation Technology and Training
Northeast Document Conservation Center
Ready.gov
Syracuse University
How Libraries Can Prepare for Natural Disasters and Preserve Community History
Texas Association of Museums
PREP Planning for Response and Emergency Preparedness
Texas Historical Commission
Museum Services
Disaster Assistance
A Disaster Plan Template for Museums
Disaster Planning: Salvage Priorities
Be Prepared for a Hurricane
Texas Library Association
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Disaster Recovery Resources for Libraries, Archives, and Cultural Institutions
TX-CERA (Texas Collections Emergency Response Alliance)
Texas Collections Emergency Resource Alliance (TX-CERA) is a private, nonprofit organization in Texas, whose mission is to serve as an educational resource for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery for Texas cultural institutions. TX-CERA can be contacted for support via their hotline number at 669.237.2243.
If your institution has experienced an emergency, please complete the Rapid Damage Response (Incident) Form for Cultural Heritage Institutions. This information will help TX-CERA identify where assistance is sought, direct assistance where needed, understand critical needs, and coordinate response efforts with these national organizations.