When is hurricane season in the Houston area?
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 each year, and it covers Pasadena, Houston and the Gulf Coast. The National Hurricane Center tracks storms all season. Houston also gets about 55.6 inches of rain a year at Hobby Airport, so heavy rain can soften ground even without a named storm.
Follow forecasts from the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston office. When a storm is a few days out, that is the time to plan your restrooms, not the morning it arrives.
How should you secure a porta potty before a storm?
A porta potty should be secured before a storm by moving it to high, firm ground and strapping or staking it in place. A standard unit weighs only about 190 pounds empty, so strong wind can tip it. Units in low, flood-prone spots should be moved or picked up before water rises.
- Check the ground. Move units off low spots, ditches and soft grass.
- Strap or stake. Tie units to a fence post, building or ground stake with a ratchet strap.
- Group units. Units set side by side and strapped together resist wind better.
- Close and lock doors. Use a lock hasp so doors do not swing open in the wind.
- Call early. If you want units moved, serviced or picked up, call days ahead, not hours.
Renters are responsible for loss or tipping beyond normal wear, so read our rental terms before storm season. A quick call to dispatch helps you decide what makes sense for your site.
Should you have portable restrooms picked up before a hurricane?
Portable restrooms should be picked up before a hurricane if the site will be closed, sits in a flood-prone area or cannot be strapped down. Once you call, a truck typically comes for the unit in 1–2 business days, so storm pickups need a head start. Dispatch runs Monday–Saturday only, so call early in the week a storm is forecast.
Long-term rentals stop billing the day you call for pickup. When work resumes, we can bring units back. Job sites on long-term rentals should add storm steps to their site safety plan.
What do you need after a hurricane knocks out water or sewer?
After a hurricane knocks out water or sewer, most homes need 1 standard porta potty and 1 hand washing station. The station carries its own fresh water tank of about 34 gallons. Flooded homes under repair often keep a unit for weeks, with weekly service included on rentals of 7 days or longer.
| After-storm problem | What to rent |
|---|---|
| Boil-water notice, toilets still flush | Hand washing station for clean hand washing |
| Sewer backup or lift station outage | 1 standard unit per household |
| Flooded home, crews tearing out drywall | 1 standard unit + hand washing station |
| Church or shelter hosting volunteers | Several units, sized by headcount |
How fast can you get a porta potty after a storm?
A porta potty can arrive after a storm once roads are passable and trucks can run safely. Our normal rule is a call by noon, Monday–Saturday, for same-day delivery within about 25 miles of Pasadena, depending on truck availability. Demand spikes after storms, so book as soon as roads reopen.
Have your address, placement spot and number of units ready. Mark a firm, high spot with a cone or ribbon. The full process is on our same-day delivery page.
How should Harris County households and job sites prepare?
Harris County households and job sites should make a storm plan before June 1 that covers water, sanitation and evacuation. ReadyHarris, the county's emergency site, lists evacuation zones and preparedness tips. Add restroom steps to that plan: who calls for units, where they go, and how they get secured.
- Sign up for alerts at ReadyHarris.
- Pick a high, firm spot for a unit now, before ground gets soft.
- Keep ratchet straps on site during storm season.
- Save our number, (713) 980-2688, with your storm contacts.
- Know your county resources on our Harris County service page.
What do storm-season portable restrooms cost?
Storm-season portable restrooms cost the same as any other time. A standard unit starts at about $175–$249 per event or about $199 per 28-day cycle with weekly service. A hand washing station starts at about $150–$225. Storms do not change these estimates, which are figured before tax.
Same-day delivery may add a rush fee of about $75–$150. Booking ahead when a storm is forecast is the best way to avoid it.
