Hurricanes can bring much more than strong winds.
Depending on the storm and where you live, hazards can include storm surge, flooding, high winds, tornadoes, dangerous surf, power outages, and flying debris. Storm surge and storm tide can be particularly dangerous along coastlines.
The best time to prepare isn't when the storm is already approaching.
It's before you need to.
NOAA recommends having an evacuation plan, emergency supplies, communication plan, insurance information, and a strategy for protecting your home before hurricane season or a storm threatens your area.
Use this checklist to get your household ready.
🌀 1. Know Your Hurricane Risk
Before buying supplies, understand what you're actually preparing for.
Hurricanes can cause:
- 🌊 Storm surge
- 🌧️ Heavy rainfall
- 🌊 Inland flooding
- 💨 Destructive winds
- 🌪️ Tornadoes
- 🌊 Dangerous waves and rip currents
- 🔌 Extended power outages
- 🌳 Falling trees and debris
Importantly, you don't have to live directly on the coast to be affected by a hurricane. Heavy rainfall and flooding can create serious hazards well inland.
Your checklist:
☐ Know whether you live in a flood-prone area
☐ Find out whether your community has designated evacuation zones
☐ Know your nearest emergency shelter options
☐ Identify roads that could become flooded
☐ Understand the types of hazards most likely in your area
🗺️ 2. Create an Evacuation Plan
Don't wait until authorities issue an evacuation order to figure out where you're going.
NOAA recommends planning where you would go, how you'll get there, and multiple possible routes. Your destination doesn't necessarily have to be hundreds of miles away—it could be a friend or relative outside the affected area.
Plan:
☐ Choose at least two possible destinations
☐ Identify multiple evacuation routes
☐ Decide where your family will meet
☐ Know your local evacuation zones
☐ Plan transportation if you don't have a vehicle
☐ Make arrangements for children, older adults, and anyone requiring assistance
☐ Plan for pets
☐ Share the plan with everyone in your household
☐ Keep a printed copy of important contact information
If authorities order an evacuation, follow the order rather than waiting to see how bad the storm becomes.
🎒 3. Build a Hurricane Emergency Kit
A basic emergency kit should contain enough supplies to get you through the immediate aftermath.
NOAA recommends at least three days of food, water, and medicine, while also noting that outages and disruptions can last much longer. Ready.gov similarly recommends building a kit around water, food, medical needs, communication, lighting, hygiene, and important documents.
💧 Water
☐ Drinking water
☐ Additional water for sanitation
☐ Water for pets
A common emergency-planning benchmark is one gallon of water per person per day, although households should follow guidance from their local emergency authorities and consider storing more where appropriate.
🍱 Food
☐ Non-perishable foods
☐ Canned foods
☐ Ready-to-eat meals
☐ Snacks
☐ Manual can opener
☐ Baby food or formula if needed
☐ Pet food
🔦 Lighting & Power
☐ Flashlights
☐ Extra batteries
☐ Portable power bank
☐ Phone chargers
☐ Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
☐ Backup batteries
🩹 Medical Supplies
☐ First-aid kit
☐ Prescription medications
☐ Copies of prescriptions
☐ Necessary medical equipment
☐ Backup batteries for essential medical devices
☐ Extra glasses or contact-lens supplies if required
Ready.gov specifically recommends considering at least a week's supply of medications in its hurricane checklist.
🧼 4. Don't Forget Hygiene Supplies
After a hurricane, running water or sanitation services may be disrupted.
Pack:
☐ Soap
☐ Hand sanitizer
☐ Toothbrushes
☐ Toothpaste
☐ Toilet paper
☐ Feminine hygiene products
☐ Wet wipes
☐ Garbage bags
☐ Disinfectant
☐ Towels
☐ Diapers and baby supplies if needed
📄 5. Protect Important Documents
You don't want to discover that your important documents are missing after your home has been damaged.
Keep copies of important records in a waterproof, portable container. Ready.gov recommends including identification, medical, financial, insurance, and property records.
Document checklist:
☐ Identification
☐ Passports
☐ Birth certificates
☐ Insurance policies
☐ Medical information
☐ Property documents
☐ Banking information
☐ Emergency contacts
☐ Vehicle documents
☐ Copies of prescriptions
☐ Important phone numbers
Where appropriate, keep secure digital backups as well.
🐕 6. Make a Plan for Your Pets
Pets need a disaster plan too.
Prepare:
☐ Pet food
☐ Water
☐ Medications
☐ Leash or carrier
☐ Identification information
☐ Veterinary records
☐ Waste bags
☐ Comfort items
☐ Recent photo of your pet
Most public emergency shelters have restrictions on pets, so research pet-friendly accommodation or shelter options before a storm threatens.
🏠 7. Prepare Your Home
Don't wait for hurricane-force winds to start securing your property.
NOAA recommends strengthening vulnerable areas of the home, trimming trees, securing windows and doors, and addressing exterior openings before a storm arrives.
Before hurricane season:
☐ Trim dangerous tree branches
☐ Inspect the roof
☐ Check gutters and drainage
☐ Inspect windows and doors
☐ Secure outdoor structures
☐ Review your insurance coverage
☐ Photograph valuable possessions
☐ Keep necessary storm-protection materials available
When a storm threatens:
☐ Bring loose outdoor furniture inside
☐ Secure outdoor equipment
☐ Protect windows as appropriate for your home
☐ Secure exterior doors
☐ Move vehicles to a safer location if necessary
☐ Clear drains and gutters
☐ Charge phones and power banks
NOAA specifically recommends securing loose outdoor objects and exterior doors as a storm approaches.
💰 8. Review Your Insurance
Take time before hurricane season to understand what your insurance actually covers.
NOAA recommends reviewing property coverage and documenting possessions with photographs, serial numbers, or other records that may be useful when making a claim.
Check:
☐ Home insurance
☐ Renters insurance
☐ Vehicle insurance
☐ Flood coverage where applicable
☐ Coverage limits
☐ Deductibles
☐ Important exclusions
Don't assume that standard home or renters insurance covers every type of flood damage.
📱 9. Create an Emergency Communication Plan
Phone networks and internet access can become unreliable during disasters.
Write down important numbers instead of relying entirely on your phone.
Your list can include:
☐ Family members
☐ Friends
☐ Emergency services
☐ Doctors
☐ Insurance company
☐ Utility providers
☐ School or workplace
☐ Local emergency management office
☐ Emergency accommodation
NOAA recommends keeping a written list of contacts because internet access may not be available during or after a disaster.
📻 10. Understand Hurricane Watches & Warnings
Knowing the difference can help you respond appropriately.
🟡 Hurricane Watch
A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within the specified watch area.
Use this time to finish preparations.
🔴 Hurricane Warning
A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected in the warning area.
Be prepared to shelter or evacuate if instructed.
NOAA's current guidance distinguishes watches and warnings based on expected timing and emphasizes following local instructions.
Also pay attention to storm surge watches and warnings, because dangerous coastal flooding can be life-threatening even when wind isn't the only concern.
Understanding how water behaves during major natural disasters can help put other coastal hazards into perspective. Read Why Does Water Recede Before a Tsunami?
🚗 11. Prepare Your Vehicle
If evacuation becomes necessary, you don't want to discover that your vehicle isn't ready.
☐ Check fuel or charging
☐ Check tires
☐ Check brakes
☐ Keep emergency supplies inside
☐ Keep a phone charger available
☐ Keep important documents accessible
☐ Know multiple routes out of the area
If you don't have a vehicle, arrange transportation before the storm arrives. NOAA recommends checking with local authorities about available transportation options.
🎒 12. Pack a Go-Bag
Your emergency kit can stay at home, but a go-bag should be ready to grab if you suddenly need to leave.
Include:
☐ Identification
☐ Medications
☐ Phone charger
☐ Power bank
☐ Water
☐ Snacks
☐ Flashlight
☐ First-aid supplies
☐ Change of clothes
☐ Hygiene supplies
☐ Important documents
☐ Cash
☐ Keys
☐ Pet supplies if necessary
NOAA recommends keeping a go-bag ready with essential supplies and important personal and property documents.
👨👩👧 13. Plan for Children
Children may find severe weather frightening.
Before hurricane season:
☐ Explain the emergency plan in age-appropriate language
☐ Show them where emergency supplies are kept
☐ Teach them how to contact trusted adults
☐ Pack comfort items
☐ Include favorite books, games, or toys
☐ Make sure caregivers know the emergency plan
Ready.gov specifically recommends considering children's individual needs when building an emergency kit.
👵 14. Consider Older Adults & People With Disabilities
Emergency plans should account for individual needs.
Consider:
☐ Mobility equipment
☐ Backup power for essential equipment
☐ Medications
☐ Hearing or vision assistance
☐ Transportation
☐ Caregiver contact information
☐ Accessible evacuation routes
☐ Additional time needed to evacuate
Don't wait until an evacuation order is issued to solve these problems.
🌧️ 15. What to Do When a Hurricane Threatens
Once a storm is approaching:
Stay informed.
Follow reliable weather information and local emergency officials.
Charge everything.
Charge phones, batteries, power banks, and other essential devices.
Secure your property.
Bring loose objects inside and secure doors and windows.
Fill your vehicle if you're evacuating.
Fuel availability may become limited.
Get your go-bag ready.
Keep it somewhere accessible.
Follow evacuation instructions.
Don't delay if authorities order you to leave.
🏠 16. If You Are Told to Shelter in Place
If local authorities tell you to shelter rather than evacuate, move to the safest appropriate location available to you.
Stay away from:
- Windows
- Glass doors
- Areas vulnerable to flooding
- Unsecured outdoor structures
Keep your emergency kit nearby and continue monitoring official information.
Never assume that the storm's category alone tells you how dangerous it will be. Different hazards can affect different locations. NOAA emphasizes considering potential impacts rather than focusing only on a storm's category.
🚨 17. If You Are Ordered to Evacuate
Leave.
Don't wait until conditions become dangerous.
Before leaving, if you have enough time and local authorities advise it:
☐ Take your go-bag
☐ Take medications
☐ Take important documents
☐ Take your pets
☐ Secure your home
☐ Follow designated evacuation routes
☐ Tell your emergency contact where you're going
☐ Follow instructions from local authorities
NOAA advises people to leave early enough to avoid becoming trapped by worsening weather or blocked roads.
⚠️ 18. Never Drive Through Floodwater
This deserves its own rule:
Turn Around. Don't Drown.
Floodwater can hide damaged roads, debris, electrical hazards, and other dangers.
Even water that doesn't appear particularly deep can be dangerous.
If a road is flooded or authorities have closed it, find another route.
🌤️ 19. What to Do After the Hurricane
The danger doesn't necessarily disappear when the winds weaken.
After the storm:
☐ Continue monitoring official information
☐ Avoid flooded roads
☐ Stay away from downed power lines
☐ Avoid damaged buildings
☐ Don't touch electrical equipment if it may be wet
☐ Check on vulnerable neighbors if it is safe
☐ Document property damage
☐ Contact your insurance provider
☐ Be cautious about spoiled food or contaminated water
NOAA warns that hazards can remain after the storm has passed, including flooding and damaged infrastructure.
📝 The Ultimate Hurricane Checklist
Emergency supplies
☐ Water
☐ Non-perishable food
☐ Flashlights
☐ Batteries
☐ Radio
☐ Power banks
☐ First-aid kit
☐ Medications
☐ Hygiene products
☐ Cash
☐ Manual can opener
Documents
☐ Identification
☐ Insurance
☐ Medical records
☐ Property documents
☐ Emergency contacts
Family
☐ Emergency communication plan
☐ Evacuation routes
☐ Meeting location
☐ Transportation plan
☐ Children's needs
☐ Older adult/disability needs
☐ Pet plan
Home
☐ Secure windows and doors
☐ Bring outdoor objects inside
☐ Trim hazardous branches
☐ Check drainage
☐ Protect important possessions
☐ Review insurance
Technology
☐ Phones charged
☐ Power banks charged
☐ Emergency radio
☐ Important numbers written down
☐ Important documents backed up
🌪️ One More Important Thing: Don't Focus Only on the Hurricane Category
A hurricane's category primarily describes its maximum sustained wind speed.
But hurricanes can cause devastating damage through other hazards, particularly storm surge and flooding.
That's why preparedness should focus on the actual risks facing your location—not simply whether a storm is Category 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. NOAA specifically advises people to focus on potential impacts rather than storm category alone.
Hurricanes are one part of a much larger conversation about environmental hazards and the changing risks communities face. Explore Major Global Environmental Issues to Know About.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start preparing for a hurricane?
Ideally, well before a storm threatens your area. NOAA recommends preparing before hurricane season so you aren't trying to purchase supplies or make major decisions at the last minute.
How much water should I store?
A common emergency-planning guideline is at least one gallon per person per day, with additional water considered for pets and sanitation.
What should I put in a hurricane emergency kit?
Start with water, non-perishable food, medications, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, communication equipment, hygiene products, cash, and important documents.
Should I evacuate during every hurricane?
Not necessarily. Follow evacuation instructions from your local emergency authorities and understand the hazards affecting your location.
Should I prepare for flooding even if I don't live near the ocean?
Yes. Hurricanes can produce heavy rainfall and inland flooding far from the coast.
What should I do with my pets?
Include them in your emergency plan. Prepare food, water, medications, identification, carriers or leashes, and identify pet-friendly evacuation options ahead of time.
🧭 Final Thought
You don't prepare for a hurricane because you know one is coming.
You prepare because you don't know when you'll need to.
A few hours spent creating an evacuation plan, checking your supplies, protecting important documents, and talking with your family can make an enormous difference when severe weather arrives.
Don't wait for the forecast to become frightening.
Prepare early. Stay informed. Know when to leave. Stay safe.
This article provides general preparedness information. Always follow instructions from your local emergency-management authorities, weather service, and emergency responders, as local risks and procedures vary by location.
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