Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 of each year. Not only is Houston at risk of regular hurricane activity, but we also experience heavy summer rainstorms that cause floods throughout the city. These floods can create dangerous conditions that lead to motor vehicle accidents, destruction of property, and serious injuries.
That’s why our Houston car accident lawyers present these five tips to prepare your car for Houston’s next hurricane season.
Tip #1: Know if Are You Living in Houston’s Hidden Flood Zones
(This Free Tool Will Tell You)
You can learn whether you live in a flood-prone area by putting your address into the Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool (FEMT). This tool helps you determine if you need to relocate your vehicle for heavy rains or hurricanes, potentially keeping your car undamaged.
Another way to stay updated about risks during a specific storm event is to register for the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s (OHSEM) Ready Harris Alerts. You can also install the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) app so you receive text updates when new storms appear.
Tip #2: Know Your Evacuation Routes
(Why You Need These Old-School Backup Plans)
Traffic, washed-out roads, and unpredictable flooding can make it difficult to evacuate. Therefore, it’s wise to have printed copies of your best options for getting away from the storm, along with backup routes.
If you do encounter water on the road, never drive through it. Even if you make it to the other side, the water can damage your engine, electrical system, and interior.
It can be very difficult to accurately determine how deep it is or whether the road has been washed out underneath the water. In many instances, flash flooding could sweep your vehicle away, taking you with it.
Tip #3: A Simple Checklist to Inspect Your Vehicle Before the Storm
Whether you do it yourself or take it to an auto shop, get your vehicle checked out to ensure it’s in good working order. This not only gives you peace of mind that your car will function if you need to evacuate, but it also allows you to identify any issues that require repair. Perform the following tasks during your inspection:
- Inflate the tires to the correct PSI.
- Check wear on the brakes and brake pads.
- Replace windshield wipers.
- Verify your battery is working and replace it if needed.
- Fill your tank with gas.
- Clean out any items you won’t need during evacuation.
By inspecting your car before the storm hits, you also have a baseline of the car’s condition in the event it’s damaged and you need to make an insurance claim.
Tip #4: Protect Your Car if You Can’t Move It Out of the Area
If you don’t have the option to relocate your vehicle from the storm’s path, do what you can to keep it safe, such as:
- Choose your parking spot strategically – Avoid low-lying areas, storm drains, and anywhere water naturally collects
- Disconnect the battery to prevent electrical damage if the car is flooded
- Position the car nose-up – If possible, park on a slight incline with the front end higher than the rear to help water drain away from critical engine components.
- Take photos of your car, both inside and out, to document its condition before the storm. This can be useful when dealing with insurance companies during a claim. Be sure to review your auto insurance policy so you understand your deductible and coverage in the event you end up with a flooded car.
Tip #5: Pre-Pack Your Escape Kit
If your car is your only vehicle, you’re going to need it to get clear of flooding when a hurricane hits. By packing it ahead of time, you can get away faster and know you have the supplies you’ll need, no matter where you end up. Put a go bag or container into your car with the following items:
- One week’s worth of non-perishable food (that doesn’t require cooking) for each person
- One gallon of drinking water for each person each day, for seven days
- Can opener, plates, utensils, and cups
- Flashlights and whistles for each person
- Lanterns
- Battery-powered, hand-cranked, or solar weather radio
- Extra batteries
- Waterproof matches or a lighter
- Extra cell phone chargers and cables
- Portable car battery charger
- First aid kit and a seven-day supply of each person’s medications
- Tool kit with a wrench, pliers, hammer, and duct tape
- Pet supplies for seven days if you have pets
- Copies of your insurance policies and identification
- Five-gallon gas can, oil, and other fluids your vehicle may need
You can also include a change of clothes, but prioritize survival supplies over luggage. If possible, take cash with you to purchase gas or other items in case power is out and vendors can’t accept electronic payment methods.
Built to Flood: How Houston’s Design Makes Every Hurricane Worse
Thanks to massive car-based infrastructure like highways and parking lots, when heavy rains or natural disasters strike, the water doesn’t have anywhere to go. In addition, Harris County’s drainage system is outdated and often insufficient to handle the water flow.
A recent news report from CW39 Houston listed the most common areas where flooding occurs:
- Downtown Houston, including Buffalo Bayou
- Greenspoint and Greens Bayou
- Humble, TX
- Kingwood neighborhood
- Meyerland in southwest Houston
- The Heights
The Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy also reports that Houston’s natural topography encourages water pooling, and our clay-based terrain prevents flood water from infiltrating the ground. Storms such as Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and Hurricane Beryl in 2024 often drop up to a year’s worth of rain in just a few days, easily overwhelming any mitigation efforts, including the construction of the Willow Waterhole basin.
Storms such as Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and Hurricane Beryl in 2024 often drop up to a year’s worth of rain in just a few days