HOUSTON – It’s no secret that groceries are getting more expensive as hurricane season, which begins June 1, approaches.
So how do you prepare, especially if you’re already living paycheck to paycheck?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery prices in Houston rose 1.7% over the 12 months ending February 2026.
Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research reports that only 34% of Harris County residents are financially secure, meaning they could cover three months or more of living expenses using savings if they lost their paycheck.
After Hurricane Beryl hit Houston, lower-income residents recovered more slowly. Among families earning less than $25,000 a year, nearly one in three were still struggling just weeks after the storm; after a year, three in ten had not fully bounced back, compared with higher-income households. But even higher-income households are feeling the squeeze: the number of households reporting difficulty getting by doubled between 2025 and 2026, including some earning more than $150,000.
With all this in mind, here are realistic steps for Houston residents living paycheck to paycheck to prepare hurricane kits focused on the basics, items you can gradually buy now:
- Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
- Food (at least several days’ supply of non-perishable items)
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight
- First-aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Whistle (to signal for help)
- Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
- Manual can opener
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
Experts recommend stocking up slowly so you don’t break the bank but are prepared for whatever comes our way this hurricane season.