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Houston’s hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and the peak threat window is August through early October. For anyone living inside the Loop, near Buffalo Bayou, or in older homes below the 100-year floodplain, the question is not whether to prepare, but how early.
What this guide covers: which belongings actually need to move to storage before a storm, a specific 7/3/1-day pre-landfall timeline, how climate-controlled storage matters post-storm, flood-zone questions to ask any facility, and a map of the six Big Tex Storage locations for neighborhood-specific planning.
What Actually Needs to Move to Storage Before a Hurricane
Not everything needs to go. Focus on three categories: irreplaceable, flood-vulnerable, and wind-vulnerable. Before moving anything, scan 11 things you should never store in a storage unit to avoid common mistakes.
Irreplaceable items
- Family photo albums, original artwork, heirlooms
- Legal documents (titles, wills, birth certificates, passports)
- Instruments, collectibles, jewelry usually kept at home
Flood-vulnerable (lower than two feet off the floor)
- Electronics on the floor or low cabinets
- Rugs, especially area rugs and runners
- Wood furniture on ground level
- Photo prints, scrapbooks, and archived documents
Wind-vulnerable (near windows)
- Framed artwork and mirrors
- Bookshelves near exterior walls
- Anything on balconies or uncovered porches
Leave at home: canned food, water, emergency supplies, basic appliances, clothing, and items that are easily replaced or fully insured. You want those with you, not in a storage unit you cannot access during the storm.
The 7-Day, 3-Day, 1-Day Pre-Landfall Timeline
Seven days before projected landfall
- Call your storage facility to confirm unit availability or reserve a new one
- Pull flood-vulnerable items from lower floors
- Photograph home contents for insurance (phone photos time-stamp automatically)
- Stock up on packing materials at an on-site supply store or hardware store
Three days before landfall (cone starts to firm up)
- Move photo albums, documents, and heirlooms to storage
- Pack and move framed art and mirrors off exterior walls
- If you have a Big Tex unit, this is when most renters use the included moving truck; demand spikes in the final 72 hours
One day before landfall
- Last-minute wind-vulnerable items move to storage
- Valuables on the first floor move upstairs or out
- Do not plan to access storage during the active storm window; most facilities restrict access for safety
After landfall, most facilities restore normal access within 24 to 48 hours, assuming power and road access are back. For more on how facility infrastructure holds up, see how Big Tex protects your stored items in Houston’s weather.
Climate or Non-Climate During Hurricane Season
For items you are moving specifically to protect them from a storm, climate-controlled units are the right default. Humidity spikes after storm systems pass through Houston, and even belongings stored inside can develop mildew if the unit is non-climate. Post-storm humidity regularly lingers above 85 percent for several days; a non-climate unit effectively mirrors outdoor conditions.
Climate-controlled units actively manage humidity and temperature during the post-storm window, which matters for photos, documents, and wood furniture you moved specifically because they are irreplaceable. For a deeper explanation, read how Houston heat and humidity damage stored belongings and 5 end-of-summer storage tips.
Flood Zone Considerations for Houston Storage Facilities
Not every storage facility sits in the same flood zone. Ask directly which FEMA zone the facility occupies and how it performed during Harvey and more recent storms. A few specifics worth knowing:
- Elevated ground floors matter; facilities built above the 100-year floodplain with elevated ground floors fared materially better in 2017.
- Climate-controlled floors above ground level add another layer of protection against flooding.
- Solid masonry construction with limited ground-level openings reduces wind and water intrusion.
- Backup power for security systems keeps cameras operational during outages; see Big Tex’s security infrastructure page for the layered approach.
For additional protection tips once your belongings are in the unit, read 5 ways to protect your stuff in a storage unit and self storage tips to protect valuable items.
How Big Tex Covers Hurricane Season Across Houston
Six Big Tex Storage locations serve the Inner Loop, each with climate-controlled units and monitored security:
- Garden Oaks – serves Oak Forest, Timbergrove adjacent, and North Loop areas
- Heights – serves The Heights, Timbergrove, Rice Military, Oak Forest
- Montrose Richmond Avenue – serves Montrose, Hyde Park, Neartown, Cherryhurst
- Museum District on Montrose Blvd – serves Museum District, Upper Kirby, Rice Village adjacent
- River Oaks on Kirby Drive – serves River Oaks, Afton Oaks, Greenway Plaza adjacent
- Uptown-Tanglewood – serves Uptown, Tanglewood, Galleria adjacent
All six offer climate-controlled units across a full size range (see the unit size catalog), an on-site supply store for packing materials, and included truck use on move-in day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start moving valuables to storage during hurricane season?
Begin pre-positioning irreplaceable items as soon as the National Hurricane Center shows a developing system in the Gulf. Finish the most sentimental items 72 hours before projected landfall.
Can I access my storage unit during a hurricane?
Access is typically restricted during the active storm window for safety. Normal access usually resumes within 24 to 48 hours, subject to power and road conditions.
What should I ask a facility about hurricane resilience?
Confirm the FEMA flood zone, whether climate-controlled units are elevated above ground floor, whether security systems operate on backup power, and how the facility performed in past storms. Ask the specific Big Tex facility for their current resilience features; the security page covers the Big Tex-wide approach.
Does storage availability change during hurricane season in Houston?
Availability tightens noticeably in the week before a forecasted storm, particularly for climate-controlled units. Reserving early in the season reduces the risk of competing for scarce inventory once a named storm enters the Gulf.
