Hurricane season runs from June through November, and Houstonians know what it can deliver: wind-driven rain through roofs and windows, overwhelmed bayous, street flooding that finds garage doors and low thresholds, and days of power outages that stall any attempt at drying. You can't move the Gulf, but you can meaningfully reduce how much water gets in — and how fast you recover when it does.
Before the Season Starts
- Know your flood exposure. Check your address on FEMA's flood maps and the Harris County Flood Control District's resources. Whether you're in a mapped floodplain shapes insurance decisions and evacuation planning.
- Review your insurance now. Standard homeowners policies generally exclude rising floodwater; flood coverage is a separate policy, and new policies typically carry a 30-day waiting period. Don't wait for a named storm.
- Document your home. Walk through with your phone and video every room, closet and major appliance. Store the file in the cloud, not just on the phone.
- Service the weak points. Clean gutters and downspouts, check weatherstripping on doors and garage seals, inspect the roof for lifted shingles, and test your sump pump if you have one.
When a Storm Is Forecast
- Move vehicles to higher ground and bring in anything the wind can throw.
- Move valuables, documents and electronics to upper floors or high shelves — in one-story homes, even a foot of elevation matters.
- Fill sandbags or set flood barriers at garage doors and low thresholds if your street has a flooding history.
- Know where your main water shutoff and electrical panel are, and photograph them.
- Charge devices, and save the numbers for your insurer, a plumber and our request line somewhere that works without internet.
During and Immediately After
Never walk or drive through floodwater — six inches can knock an adult down, and Houston's flooded streets hide open manholes, debris and live electrical hazards. If water enters your home, cut power to affected areas only if the panel is reachable without standing in water, and treat all floodwater as contaminated: it carries sewage, chemicals and silt.
Once it's safe, photograph everything before moving or discarding anything — your flood claim depends on it. Then start the cleanup conversation quickly. After major storms, every restoration company in the region is booked out, so the households that call first get crews first. Storm losses usually mean storm water damage protocols: contaminated-material removal rather than simple drying, followed by structural drying once the structure is opened up.
The Mold Clock After a Hurricane
Houston's post-storm humidity — often combined with multi-day power outages — creates ideal mold conditions. Wet drywall, insulation and flooring can support mold growth within 24 to 48 hours. If power is out, generators and wet-dry vacuums help at the margins, but material removal and professional dehumidification are what actually stop the clock. See mold prevention after water damage for what that process involves.
Helpful Public Resources
- Harris County Flood Control District — watershed conditions and flood mapping.
- Houston 311 — report street flooding and blocked drains.
- Ready Harris — the county's emergency alerts and preparedness information.
- FEMA flood maps — flood zone lookup by address.
Getting Connected After a Storm
Houston Water Damage Restoration is a free referral service that connects property owners with independent restoration professionals — we don't perform the work. After a storm, submit a request describing the damage, and with your consent we'll pass it to participating companies handling hurricane flood cleanup in the Houston area. Demand spikes hard after landfall, so reach out as soon as it's safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane water damage?
Usually only part of it. Wind-driven rain entering through storm damage is often covered by a standard policy, but rising floodwater — from bayous, street flooding or storm surge — typically requires a separate flood policy through the NFIP or a private insurer. Review both policies before the season; your policy documents are the authority.
Is floodwater really that dangerous?
Yes. Houston floodwater routinely contains sewage overflow, chemicals, fuel, debris and sometimes displaced wildlife. Treat skin contact as a contamination risk, keep children and pets away, and assume any porous material it touched needs removal rather than cleaning.
How soon after a storm should I start cleanup?
As soon as it's safe to enter and you've documented the damage. Mold growth in post-storm humidity can begin within 24 to 48 hours, and contractor availability tightens by the day after a major event. Photograph first, then start removal and drying conversations immediately.