If you live in Texas, preparing for hurricane season is part of life. Knowing how to protect your home, stay safe, and prepare for power loss can help reduce stress when a storm is on the way. With a little planning, you can keep your household protected and better handle anything the weather brings.
Browse electricity plans.
Texas has a long coastline and a long hurricane history. From the Gulf Coast to inland cities, storms can bring strong winds, flooding, and long-lasting power outages. Even homes that are miles from the coast can experience damage or disruptions when a hurricane moves through.
Preparing in advance allows you to:
Keep your family safe during the storm
Protect your home from preventable damage
Manage without electricity for hours or even days
Avoid the rush for supplies right before landfall
Hurricane season in Texas runs from June 1 through November 30, with peak activity between August and October. That is when the water in the Gulf of Mexico is warmest, making conditions right for storm formation.
Even though not every season brings a major storm, it only takes one direct hit to cause major damage or disruption. That is why early preparation is important.
Being ready before a storm forms is the smartest move. Here’s what to take care of early in the season.
Build a hurricane kit that includes:
Bottled water (at least one gallon per person per day for 3 days)
Non-perishable food
Flashlights and extra batteries
First aid supplies
Medications
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Chargers and backup battery packs
Cash (in small bills)
Copies of IDs and insurance policies
Pet food and supplies
Store everything in a waterproof container and check your supplies each year.
Decide how your household will stay in touch if cell networks go down. Choose a family contact outside the area who everyone can check in with. Write down important phone numbers in case your phone dies or gets lost.
Check your local government website or call your city’s emergency office to learn if you are in a designated evacuation zone. Know your route, and keep a printed map in your car in case GPS service is disrupted.
Sign up for local emergency alerts through your city or county. You can also download the FEMA app or follow the National Hurricane Center for updates.
Once a storm is forecasted for your area, act quickly. Don’t wait until the last minute to secure your home and gather supplies.
Plug in and fully charge all phones, tablets, laptops, and battery packs. If you have a portable power station, charge it too.
Fill your car’s gas tank. Power outages can affect gas stations, and you may need to evacuate on short notice.
Bring in or secure anything that could become a projectile in high winds—grills, patio furniture, umbrellas, trash cans, and lawn decor.
If possible, install storm shutters or board up windows with plywood. Reinforce garage doors if needed.
If you have time before the storm hits, cool your home several degrees below your normal setting. This helps keep the home comfortable longer if the power goes out.
Outages during hurricanes are common. You may lose power for hours or days, depending on the severity of the storm and damage to the grid.
Here’s how to stay safe and prepared:
You may need to shut off power to certain parts of your home to avoid damage from flooding or surges.
Unplug televisions, computers, and other valuable electronics to prevent damage from power surges. Leave one light plugged in so you’ll know when power returns.
Your fridge will stay cold for about 4 hours if unopened. A full freezer will stay frozen for around 48 hours. Use dry ice or ice blocks if available.
If you use a portable generator, run it outside and away from windows. Never run a generator indoors or in a garage, even if the door is open.
When the storm is over, wait until authorities say it’s safe to go outside. Then:
Avoid flooded streets and standing water
Watch for downed power lines and report them immediately
Check your home for damage
Take photos of any damage for insurance claims
Replenish your emergency kit for next time
If you were without power for more than four hours, discard perishable food items that may no longer be safe.
Your Retail Electric Provider (REP), like Rhythm Energy, is not responsible for fixing outages. Restoration is handled by your Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU). Here’s who to contact by region:
CenterPoint (Houston): 713-207-2222 or outage tracker at centerpointenergy.com
Oncor (Dallas/Fort Worth): 1-888-313-4747 or stormcenter.oncor.com
AEP Texas (Corpus, Abilene): 1-866-223-8508 or aeptexas.com
TNMP (West/South Texas): 1-888-866-7456 or tnmp.com
Lubbock Power & Light: 1-806-775-2509 or electricoutage.ci.lubbock.tx.us
Save this info in your phone or print it out ahead of time.
Texas weather can be unpredictable, but your hurricane prep doesn’t have to be. A little planning goes a long way when it comes to protecting your home, your power, and your family’s safety. Build your kit, make your plan, and stay informed. That way, when the wind starts picking up, you’ll feel confident you’re ready.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with peak activity between August and October.
Charge all devices, unplug electronics, and keep your fridge and freezer closed. Use generators safely and only outdoors.
Include water, food, flashlights, first aid supplies, batteries, important documents, and backup power sources.
Yes. Time-of-use plans only affect how you are billed, not how your home receives power. Outages impact everyone in your area the same way, no matter your electricity plan.
Your local utility (TDU), not your electricity provider, handles power restoration. You should report outages directly to the TDU.
