May 3-9, 2026 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week. This is the best time to plan and prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, which officially begins June 1, 2026 and ends November 30, 2026. Take time this week to begin pre-season preparations before storm season is here.

Preparedness is Key

Now is a great time to understand and learn about your risk from hurricanes, prepare for possible storms, make certain you have multiple ways of receiving forecasts and alerts, AND know what to do and how to respond before, during, and after a storm.

According to the Houston Office of Emergency Management, it is important to know how to prepare, respond, and recover from a hurricane.

Ways to Prepare for a Hurricane:

Timely information is critical during emergencies. For the greater Houston area, AlertHouston delivers critical information to Houston residents regarding current conditions, expected impacts, and protective actions to stay safe.

  • Shop for emergency kit supplies ahead of a storm. This week is the perfect time to gather necessary supplies while there is ample inventory. Emergency supplies include food, water, flashlights, batteries, medications and generators. More information can be found at: https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan.
  • Keep at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle during hurricane season.
  • Create and share a plan for your business or household (including pets) so everyone knows what to do, where to go, and what supplies are necessary. Write down and review the emergency plan with every member of the business or household. Prior to an emergency, sit down and discuss all the details of the plan including how to get in contact with one another, where to go, and what will be done. More information can be found at: https://www.ready.gov.
  • Keep important documents in a waterproof container.
  • Keep cell phones charged and purchase backup charging devices.
  • Establish primary and secondary meeting places for evacuation.
  • Know how to turn utilities off and on.
  • Cover windows with plywood and buy sandbags if necessary.
  • Have enough food and water for at least three to five days.
  • Write down and save emergency contact information.

Additionally, following a hurricane, if you evacuated, do not return home until local officials announce it is safe. Always have and wear personal protective equipment such as gloves, boots, and masks to protect yourself when cleaning a flooded property or debris and do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet. Furthermore, be prepared to be without utilities for an extended period of time and discard unrefrigerated food. Additional information can be found at https://houstonoem.org/hurricane-or-tropical-storm.

United Tool and Fastener is proud to offer an array of emergency kits and supplies including, but not limited to, batteries, flashlights, generators, water, fire extinguishers, radios, and fans. To buy or learn more about our emergency kits or other supplies, please contact a UT&F showroom in Houston at 713-692-2323; in San Antonio at 210-495-8665; or College Station at 979-731-8665.