AUSTIN, Texas — Texas utility regulators have urged residents and businesses across the state to prepare for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, warning that severe weather could disrupt electricity supplies and create broader public safety risks over the coming months.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) said the hurricane season officially began this week and will continue through 30 November, with state agencies and electricity providers already coordinating preparedness and emergency response measures.
The commission said Texans would be able to monitor potential electricity outages and estimated restoration times through the PUCT’s Storm Resources platform, which provides access to utility information and emergency guidance during severe weather events.
“Texas hurricane season is here, and now is the time for Texans to stay informed, follow official sources for severe weather updates, and make a plan for a potential emergency,” PUCT Chairman Thomas Gleeson said. “Hurricanes can cause local power outages and other safety risks. The PUCT’s online resources are available 24/7 to help consumers prepare for severe weather, understand safety risks, and contact their electric utility.”
The announcement comes as authorities across the Gulf Coast continue to place greater emphasis on resilience planning following several years of costly storms that disrupted power infrastructure, affected supply chains and forced large-scale emergency responses across southern states.
Under current PUCT regulations, electricity utilities serving retail customers must maintain online outage tracking systems to provide consumers with up-to-date information during severe weather conditions. Regulators said the systems are intended to improve public access to restoration estimates and utility contact details during emergencies.
The PUCT also confirmed that its Consumer Protection Division would remain available throughout the hurricane season to assist customers with questions or concerns related to utility services and outage issues.
Texas officials said emergency preparedness efforts extend beyond electricity infrastructure. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is continuing public awareness campaigns encouraging households and businesses in hurricane-prone regions to review emergency plans, monitor weather forecasts and prepare supply kits ahead of severe storms.
Authorities are also advising residents to assess potential flood risks and review insurance arrangements before major weather systems develop in the Atlantic basin.
In preparation for the season, the PUCT said it had worked with electricity providers in vulnerable coastal and inland regions to confirm that emergency response procedures, staffing plans and restoration resources were in place before the arrival of peak storm activity.
The commission also requires utility providers operating in hurricane-prone areas to distribute preparedness information directly to customers through billing statement inserts ahead of the season.
Energy reliability remains a significant issue for Texas policymakers and businesses following previous severe weather events that placed exceptional pressure on electricity systems and emergency response operations. Hurricanes and tropical storms have historically caused widespread outages across parts of the state, disrupting homes, transport systems and commercial activity.
State agencies are expected to coordinate closely throughout the season through the Texas Emergency Management Council, which includes the Governor’s Office, TDEM, the PUCT and more than 30 state agencies and higher education institutions.
During major weather emergencies, the Texas State Operations Command Center serves as the central coordination point for communication, emergency response management and public information updates.
Officials said maintaining public awareness and preparedness would remain a key priority throughout the six-month hurricane season, particularly for communities located near the Gulf Coast where tropical systems can intensify rapidly.
The PUCT encouraged Texans to use official emergency management resources for updates and preparedness guidance as weather conditions evolve during the season.
Meteorologists have indicated that tropical weather activity in the Atlantic could remain elevated during the 2026 season, increasing the importance of early preparation measures for households, local authorities and infrastructure operators across Texas.
