Hurricane Season Home Preparation Checklist for Katy Residents

Know Your Risk

Katy sits inland, but heavy rain can cause street and neighborhood flooding, and wind and tornadoes sometimes accompany tropical systems. Look up flood risk for your specific address, understand how your neighborhood drains and ask your insurance agent or local officials about flood maps and past flooding. Risk varies street by street, so do not assume that your neighbor’s experience matches yours.

Build an Emergency Kit

Category	Items
Water and food	At least several days of drinking water and non-perishable food for each person and pet
Health	Prescription medications, first aid kit, glasses and hygiene supplies
Power and light	Flashlights, extra batteries, portable chargers and a battery or hand-crank radio
Documents	Copies of IDs, insurance, deeds, medical information, stored in waterproof bags and digitally
Tools and safety	Multi-tool, whistle, work gloves, tarps and duct tape
Comfort	Blankets, extra clothes, books or games
Cash	Small bills, since card systems may fail

Check and refresh the kit each year, and replace expired items.

Review Your Insurance

Standard homeowners policies often do not cover flood damage, and wind or hurricane deductibles can be higher than regular deductibles. Ask your agent about flood coverage, since flood policies often have waiting periods before they take effect. Review your coverage limits, understand what is covered for temporary living expenses and know how to file a claim. Renters should also consider renters insurance.

Document Your Belongings

Walk through every room with your phone and record video of your belongings, opening drawers and closets. Photograph the exterior, roof, yard and any valuable items. Keep receipts for major purchases, and store copies in cloud storage. This makes insurance claims faster and easier after a loss.

Protect Your Home and Yard

• Trim dead branches and trees near the house and roof
• Clear gutters and downspouts
• Secure or store patio furniture, grills, trampolines and décor
• Check that doors, windows and garage doors close tightly
• Know where your water, gas and electrical shutoffs are
• Inspect the roof for loose shingles; see our roofing guide
• Move valuables and documents to higher shelves
• Fill vehicle fuel tanks before a storm is forecast

Make a Family and Pet Plan

Decide where you will go if you need to leave, how you will get there and how you will communicate if cell service fails. Identify pet-friendly shelters or hotels, and prepare pet supplies and carriers. Plan for family members with medical needs or limited mobility, and check on elderly neighbors. Keep important phone numbers written down.

Stay Informed

Sign up for emergency alerts from your county and local officials, and follow official weather and emergency management sources. Do not rely on social media rumors. If officials issue evacuation or shelter-in-place guidance, follow it promptly. Avoid driving through flooded roadways, since even shallow water can be dangerous.

Generator and Power Safety

Never run a generator inside a home, garage or near windows, since carbon monoxide can be deadly. Place generators outdoors, away from the house, and follow manufacturer instructions. Keep fuel stored safely. Use flashlights instead of candles, and keep food safe by limiting how often you open the refrigerator.

After the Storm

Wait for official all-clear before returning to affected areas. Photograph damage before cleanup, avoid floodwater, which can carry contaminants and hazards, and watch for downed power lines. Be careful with contractors who go door to door. Plan for debris cleanup; see our storm debris cleanup guide and the plumbing guide for water issues.

A Simple Timeline: Before, During and After

Phase	Actions
Before the season	Build kits, review insurance, document belongings, trim trees, inspect roof and gutters
When a storm is forecast	Fill fuel, charge devices, secure outdoor items, withdraw cash, check supplies and follow official updates
During the storm	Stay indoors, away from windows, avoid travel and monitor official information
After the storm	Wait for the all-clear, document damage, avoid floodwater, check on neighbors and begin safe cleanup

Keep this table where your family can find it.

Preparing Renters, Seniors and People With Medical Needs

Renters should review lease terms, ask the landlord about storm procedures and consider renters insurance. Older adults and people with medical needs should keep medications, medical devices, power backups and a list of providers ready, and arrange check-ins with family or neighbors. Ask your doctor about backup plans for refrigerated medications and oxygen or other equipment, and register with local assistance programs if available.

Protecting Your Pets and Vehicles

Keep carriers, leashes, food, medications and vaccination records ready. Microchip and tag your pets. Park vehicles on higher ground away from trees and power lines when possible, keep a full tank and carry an emergency kit in the car. After the storm, avoid driving through standing water.

Understanding Hurricane Hazards Beyond Wind

When people picture a hurricane, they think of wind. For an inland community like Katy, the biggest problems are often different.

Hazard	What it means for Katy residents
Heavy rainfall and flooding	Streets, yards and homes can flood when rain falls faster than drainage can handle
Wind	Damaged roofs, fences and fallen trees and limbs
Tornadoes	Brief tornadoes can spin off from tropical systems
Power outages	Can last days, making heat, food storage and medical needs a concern
Extreme heat after the storm	Outages in humid summer weather create health risks
Road closures	Flooded roads can strand people or block emergency access
Disrupted services	Stores, gas stations and internet may be unavailable

Preparing for each hazard, not just wind, makes your plan stronger.

Month-by-Month Preparation Calendar

You do not have to do everything in one weekend. Spread the work across the months before peak season.

When	What to do
Before June	Review insurance, build your kit, inspect the roof and gutters, trim trees
June and July	Document belongings, update documents, test generator and flashlights, learn local alert systems
August and September	Peak season: keep supplies stocked, check forecasts, refresh water and medications
October and November	Stay alert, since storms can still form, and review what you learned from the season
After the season	Restock, replace expired items and update your plan

Water, Food and Supplies in Detail

Water

Emergency guidance commonly recommends storing several days of drinking water per person, plus extra for pets, cooking and hygiene. Store water in clean, sealed containers, away from sunlight. Replace stored water on a schedule, and consider water purification tablets as a backup.

Food

Choose non-perishable foods that you will actually eat and that do not need cooking, such as canned goods, peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, dried fruit, shelf-stable milk and ready-to-eat meals. Keep a manual can opener. Include food for infants, pets and anyone with dietary needs.

Health and hygiene

Stock first aid supplies, prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, hand sanitizer, soap, toilet paper, feminine products, diapers and masks. Keep medical equipment charged and ask your provider about backup plans for refrigerated medications.

Power and communication

Keep flashlights and extra batteries, portable chargers, a battery or hand-crank radio and printed contact numbers. Charge phones and devices before the storm, and reduce screen use during outages to save battery.

Cleaning and recovery supplies

Gloves, heavy trash bags, tarps, buckets, towels, a wet and dry vacuum, bleach or disinfectants where appropriate, and work boots will help after the storm.

Securing Your Home Step by Step

Area	What to check or do
Roof	Look for loose or damaged shingles and flashing; see our roofing guide
Gutters	Clear leaves and debris so water drains away
Trees	Remove dead limbs and weak branches that could fall on the house
Windows and doors	Check seals, locks and weatherstripping
Garage door	Make sure it is in good condition and can withstand wind
Yard	Bring in furniture, planters, grills, trash cans and decorations
Drainage	Clear storm drains near your property, and check that water drains away from the foundation
Utilities	Know where your shutoffs are and how to use them
Valuables	Move electronics and documents off the floor and away from windows

Protecting Important Documents and Digital Information

Store copies of IDs, insurance policies, deeds, vehicle titles, bank information, medical records and emergency contacts in a waterproof bag, and keep digital copies in secure cloud storage and on a USB drive. Make a list of account numbers, passwords and phone numbers for your insurance, utilities and mortgage lender. Take photos of your home’s interior and exterior, and record serial numbers of major appliances. Back up your phone and computers before the storm.

Insurance Questions to Ask Your Agent

• Does my policy cover wind and hail damage, and what is my deductible?
• Is there a separate hurricane or named storm deductible?
• Do I have flood coverage, and when would a new policy take effect?
• What is covered for temporary housing if my home is uninhabitable?
• How do I file a claim, and what documentation do you need?
• Does coverage include fences, sheds, trees and landscaping?
• Is my coverage based on replacement cost or actual cash value?
• What should I do immediately after damage to protect my claim?

Write down the answers, and keep your policy numbers handy.

Planning for Evacuation or Sheltering in Place

Whether to leave or stay depends on the storm and official guidance. Know your options before you need them.

• Identify two routes out of your area, and a destination such as a relative’s home or a hotel inland
• Fill your vehicle with fuel early, since stations can run out
• Pack a go-bag with medications, documents, chargers, clothes and pet supplies
• Plan for your pets, since many shelters have specific rules
• If you stay, pick an interior room away from windows, and keep your kit nearby
• Notify family or friends of your plans

Follow instructions from local emergency officials, and do not rely on rumors.

Preparing for Power Outages and Heat

Extended outages during humid weather are dangerous, especially for children, older adults and people with medical conditions. Keep fans and battery-powered cooling options ready, drink plenty of water, wear light clothing and spend time in the coolest part of the home. Know where to find cooling centers, and check on neighbors. Keep your refrigerator closed to preserve food, and use a thermometer to check food safety. For long-term outages, ask your HVAC contractor about generator and surge protection options. Never use a generator inside or near windows.

After the Storm: Restoring Your Home

Documenting damage should come first, then cleanup in a safe order. Take photos, call your insurance company, protect the property from further damage and keep receipts. If water entered the home, remove wet materials quickly to limit mold. See our storm debris cleanup guide, and our plumbing guide for leaks and water damage. Pests often appear after flooding; see our pest control guide.

Supporting Neighbors and Community

Community response matters. Check on older adults and neighbors with disabilities, share tools and supplies, and report hazards to the appropriate authorities. Stay informed through official sources, and avoid spreading unverified information. Many people volunteer after storms, so look for reputable organizations if you want to help.

Preparedness Mistakes to Avoid

• Waiting until a storm is in the forecast to buy supplies
• Assuming homeowners insurance covers flooding
• Ignoring evacuation instructions
• Driving through flooded roads
• Running generators indoors or in garages
• Forgetting pets and medications
• Not photographing belongings before a storm
• Letting your emergency kit expire

Quick Printable Checklist

Task	Done
Review insurance and flood coverage
Build or refresh emergency kit
Photograph belongings and home
Copy documents and store safely
Trim trees and clear gutters
Plan evacuation routes and pet care
Sign up for local alerts
Locate utility shutoffs
Check on neighbors

Preparing Special Groups and Situations

Families with infants and young children

Stock formula, diapers, wipes, baby food, comfort items, medications and extra clothing. Keep a manual way to prepare bottles. Consider a battery-powered fan and keep children cool and hydrated if the power goes out.

Older adults and people with medical needs

Keep medications, medical records and a list of providers together. Ask your doctor about backup plans for oxygen, dialysis, insulin and other equipment. Keep spare batteries and chargers, and arrange check-ins with family and neighbors.

People who rely on electricity for medical devices

Tell your utility provider and local officials about your needs where programs exist. Consider a backup power source, and plan where you will go if the outage is long.

Pet owners

Prepare food, water, medications, carriers, leashes, waste bags, vaccination records and photos of your pets. Know which shelters and hotels accept animals.

Evacuation Go-Bag Contents

Item	Details
Documents	IDs, insurance, deeds and medical information in a waterproof bag
Medications	At least a week’s supply and a list of prescriptions
Money	Cash in small bills, and a card
Clothing	A few days of clothes, sturdy shoes and rain gear
Hygiene	Toiletries, wipes and feminine and infant supplies
Electronics	Chargers, power banks and a car charger
Comfort	A blanket, snacks and small items for children
Pet needs	Food, leash, carrier and records

What to Do With Your Property Before You Leave

Turn off the water at the main valve only if officials advise it or you expect major damage, and check with your plumber if unsure. Unplug electronics, and move valuables to higher levels. Take final photos, lock doors and windows, and tell a neighbor or friend your plan. Do not leave grills, propane tanks or loose objects outside.

Rental Property Owners and Landlords

If you own rentals, review your insurance, trim trees and secure the property. Communicate with tenants about expectations and emergency plans. After a storm, inspect quickly, document damage and arrange repairs. Tenants should have renters insurance and a plan for their belongings.

Understanding Alerts and Terminology

Weather alerts use specific terms, and knowing them helps you act quickly.

Term	General meaning
Watch	Conditions are possible, so prepare and stay alert
Warning	Conditions are expected or occurring, so take action now
Tropical storm	Organized storm with sustained winds below hurricane strength
Hurricane	Storm with sustained winds at hurricane strength
Storm surge	Rising seawater pushed onto land, mostly a coastal hazard
Flash flood	Rapid flooding, often within hours of heavy rain
Evacuation order	Official instruction to leave an area
Shelter in place	Official instruction to stay indoors

Rely on official sources for specifics, and follow instructions from local emergency officials.

What to Do If You Lose Power for Days

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to hold the cold
• Use coolers with ice for essentials, and group food together
• Eat perishable food first, and discard anything unsafe
• Keep your phone charged with power banks, and limit nonessential use
• Stay cool: use damp cloths, drink water and spend time in the coolest area
• Use flashlights instead of candles
• Check on neighbors, especially older adults and those with medical needs
• Know where cooling centers or charging stations may be offered

Protecting Your Vehicles and Boats

Move vehicles away from trees, power lines and flood-prone areas. Park on higher ground if you can, and keep fuel tanks full. If you have a boat or trailer, secure it according to the manufacturer’s advice. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, including water, a flashlight, first aid supplies, a charger and a blanket.