Ironically, the management of Lowe’s (NYSE:LOW) said during its recent earnings call that the first half of the year was not as good as expected. That report caused Lowe’s management to reduce the number of stores it planned to open during the year from 35 to 25 and cut its own full year financial guidance.

Despite what both Home Depot and Lowe’s management teams thought just a few weeks ago, their full year predictions and forecasts now will need to be adjusted to factor in the effects of Hurricane Harvey. For example, as early as Sunday, Aug. 27, both brands had locations in Houston open and selling large volumes of small ticket items such as bottled water, tarps and straps, as well as larger ticket items such as fans, blowers, air conditioning units and, of course, generators.