Prepare for a hurricane

Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and the greater Houston area is particularly vulnerable to storm surge, inland flooding, and extended power outages. Preparing now can protect your home’s plumbing, keep your family safe, and help you recover faster after a storm.

Know your water shutoff

• Make sure everyone in your residence knows where the homeowner’s water main shutoff valve is located and keep it clear of debris and obstacles at all times.
• For most homes in our service area, the property owner’s shutoff valve is on your side of the water meter. It can usually be found in the ground about 12–18 inches from the meter in your own smaller valve box. No special tool is needed to operate this valve. Turn the valve 90 degrees to shut it off.
• If you are not sure if you have an inside shutoff valve, check the property inspection report from when you purchased your residence. For renters, please consult with your property manager.
• Practice turning it off and on before storm season. In an emergency, you don’t want to be searching for it in the dark or in rising water.

Store enough drinking water

• Store at least 1 gallon per person per day for 7 days. Don’t forget water for pets.
• Use clean, food-grade containers. Sealed, store-bought bottled water is the safest option.
• Fill bathtubs and large containers with non-drinking water for flushing toilets and general cleaning. A WaterBOB or similar bathtub bladder can store up to 100 gallons.
• If you are on a well or have a private pump, remember that you will lose water pressure when the power goes out.

Protect your plumbing before the storm

• Clear leaves, debris, and loose items from around your water meter box. Storm flooding can push debris into the meter box and damage the shutoff valve.
• Secure or remove backflow preventer covers so they aren’t swept away by flooding.
• If your area is under a mandatory evacuation order, turn off your water at the homeowner’s shutoff valve before you leave. This prevents damage from broken pipes flooding an empty home.
• Turn off your water heater if you evacuate. If it is gas, turn off the gas supply to the unit.
• Know where your sewer cleanout is located. If floodwaters reach your home, sewage can back up through drains. A cleanout plug or backwater valve can reduce this risk.

Plan your evacuation route

• Know your Hurricane Evacuation Zone — not all areas of Houston evacuate for every storm. Harris County Flood Control District provides zone maps and flood risk tools.
• Identify two routes out of your neighborhood in case roads are flooded or blocked. Houston-area evacuation routes include I-10 West, US-290, I-45 North, and US-59 North, but local street-level flooding can cut off access to highways quickly.
• Do not wait until the last minute. If your zone is ordered to evacuate, leave early. Houston’s 2005 Hurricane Rita evacuation showed how quickly highways become gridlocked.
• Keep your vehicle’s gas tank at least half full throughout hurricane season.
• Before you leave: turn off water at the homeowner’s shutoff valve, turn off your water heater, unplug major appliances, and take photos of your home for insurance documentation.
• Take your emergency water supply with you. Shelters and roadside resources can be overwhelmed.
• Register with the Harris County Hurricane Evacuation / Transportation Assistance if you need transportation help or have special medical needs.

Gather emergency supplies

• Drinking water — 1 gallon per person per day for 7 days
• Non-perishable food for 7 days
• Manual can opener
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio is best)
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Prescription medications (at least a 7-day supply)
• Important documents in a waterproof container (ID, insurance policies, medical records)
• Phone chargers and a portable battery pack
• Cash in small bills (ATMs and card readers go down during power outages)
• Waterproof bags or containers for valuables

Additional preparation guides

• Ready Harris — Harris County emergency preparedness
• National Hurricane Center — hurricane preparedness
• Texas Division of Emergency Management
• FEMA — plan ahead for disasters
• Harris County Flood Control District — know your flood risk

After the storm

• Do not use tap water until you have confirmed whether a boil water notice is in effect. Check our active alerts page or call 281-367-5511.
• Report water leaks, broken hydrants, or damaged meters to us at 281-367-5511 or through our report a water leak page.
• Water restoration may take time. After a major storm, crews must inspect plants, restore power, test water quality, and repair main breaks before full service resumes. We will post updates as quickly as we can.
• Avoid driving through standing water. Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and two feet can float a vehicle.

Boil water notices

• After a major storm, your water district may issue a boil water notice as a precaution. This can happen any time the water system loses pressure, such as during a power outage at a water plant.
• Watch for updates on our active alerts page and from your district.
• If a boil water notice is in effect, bring water to a rolling boil for at least two minutes before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or making ice.
• For more information, see What is a boil water notice?

Sewer and drainage

• Houston’s flat terrain and clay soils mean stormwater drains slowly. Never pour fats, oils, or grease down your drains — these cause blockages that become emergencies during heavy rain.
• If you experience a sewer backup during or after a storm, contact us at 281-367-5511.
• Do not attempt to open or clear a sewer cleanout during active flooding.
• For more information, see Sewer backups.

If your home floods

• Do not drink tap water until your water district confirms it is safe. Flooding can contaminate water lines, and a boil water notice may be in effect.
• Do not turn your water back on until floodwaters have fully receded from around your meter and plumbing.
• When you do turn water back on, open faucets slowly and let the lines flush for several minutes. Discolored water is common after a disruption and should clear as the system flushes.
• Check for damaged or displaced water meters, broken pipes, and leaks around your home before resuming normal water use.
• If your water has an unusual smell, color, or taste after the system is restored, contact us at 281-367-5511.