Hurricane Preparedness: The Complete Guide

Hurricanes kill more Americans through flooding than wind. That one fact changes how you should prepare. Most people fixate on boarding up windows while ignoring the water that will actually put them in danger. This guide covers everything you need to do before hurricane season starts, what to grab when a storm is bearing down, and how to stay safe through landfall and recovery.

Hurricane Season: Know Your Timeline

Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with peak activity between August and October. According to FEMA, the average hurricane season produces 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher). If you live anywhere along the Gulf Coast, Atlantic seaboard, or Caribbean, this is your reality every single year.

The Saffir-Simpson scale rates hurricanes from Category 1 (74-95 mph winds) to Category 5 (157+ mph). But here is the thing most people miss: a Category 1 hurricane can dump just as much rain as a Category 5. Storm surge and inland flooding cause roughly 90% of hurricane deaths. Wind gets the headlines. Water does the killing.

Before Hurricane Season: Your Prep Window

The best time to prepare for a hurricane is months before one forms. Prices are normal, shelves are stocked, and you can think clearly without a red blob spinning toward your zip code on the weather radar. Here is your pre-season checklist.

Know Your Evacuation Zone

Every coastal county publishes evacuation zone maps. Find yours now. Know which zone you live in (usually labeled A through E or by color), which routes lead inland, and where your nearest shelters are. FEMA recommends having at least two evacuation routes planned because highways flood and traffic jams happen when everyone leaves at once.

If you have pets, confirm which shelters accept animals. Many do not. The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act requires local emergency plans to include pets, but compliance varies. Have a backup plan for your animals.

Harden Your Home

Hurricane-proofing your home is an investment that pays for itself the first time a storm hits. Focus on these areas:

• Impact-rated windows or storm shutters. Plywood works in a pinch (5/8-inch minimum, pre-cut to fit each window), but permanent shutters are far better. Pre-drill the plywood and label each piece for its window.
• Garage doors. These are the most common failure point during hurricanes. A reinforcement kit costs $200 to $500 and can prevent your roof from peeling off.
• Roof straps. Hurricane clips or straps connect your roof to the walls. Retrofitting costs around $1,500 to $3,000 but can be the difference between a roof and no roof.
• Clear your yard. Patio furniture, grills, potted plants, trampolines: anything not bolted down becomes a projectile in 100+ mph winds.

Build Your Hurricane Supply Kit

FEMA recommends supplies for at least 72 hours. That is a bare minimum. After major hurricanes like Katrina, Maria, and Ian, some communities went weeks without power, clean water, or resupply. Plan for 7 to 14 days if you are staying put.

• Water: One gallon per person per day. A family of four needs 28 to 56 gallons for a two-week supply. Fill bathtubs before the storm for non-drinking water.
• Food: Canned goods, freeze-dried meals, protein bars, peanut butter. Anything that does not need refrigeration or cooking. Do not forget a manual can opener.
• Medications: A 30-day supply of all prescriptions. Get refills early because pharmacies close and supply chains break.
• Cash: ATMs and card readers do not work without power. Keep $500 to $1,000 in small bills.
• Documents: Insurance policies, IDs, medical records in a waterproof bag or container. Take photos of everything and store them in the cloud.
• Fuel: Keep your car's tank full. Store extra gasoline in approved containers. Gas stations run dry fast once evacuation orders hit.

Power Backup

Power outages after hurricanes last days to weeks. A generator is not a luxury; it is a necessity if you are riding out the storm. You have two main options: a traditional fuel generator or a portable power station with solar panels.

For whole-home backup, a dual-fuel generator running on gasoline and propane gives you flexibility when one fuel type runs short. For apartments or smaller needs, a portable power station paired with solar panels can keep phones, medical devices, and fans running indefinitely.

When a Hurricane Watch Is Issued (48 Hours Out)

A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. This is your action window. Do not wait for the warning.

• Install storm shutters or board up windows.
• Move outdoor furniture, decorations, and trash cans inside.
• Fill your vehicle's gas tank and any spare fuel containers.
• Fill prescriptions and withdraw cash.
• Charge all electronics, battery packs, and power stations.
• Fill the WaterBOB or bathtubs for backup water.
• Review your evacuation route. If you are in a flood zone or mobile home, leave now. Do not wait for the warning.

When a Hurricane Warning Is Issued (36 Hours Out)

A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected. If local officials issue an evacuation order for your zone, leave. Period. No house is worth your life.

If you are staying, complete your final preparations:

• Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings. A full freezer holds temperature for about 48 hours if you keep the door shut.
• Fill clean containers with drinking water.
• Identify your safe room: an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows. A bathroom or closet works well.
• Bring pets inside. Prepare carriers for quick evacuation if needed.
• Unplug sensitive electronics to protect against power surges.

During the Hurricane

Once the storm arrives, your only job is survival. Stay inside. Stay away from windows. Do not go outside during the eye of the storm; the other side of the eyewall hits fast and without warning.

• Stay in your safe room. Interior walls, lowest floor. If water starts rising, move to the highest floor. Never go into an attic without a way to break through the roof.
• Monitor weather radio. A NOAA weather radio with battery backup is essential. Cell towers often fail during major storms.
• If flooding starts, move up, not out. More people drown trying to drive or walk through floodwater than from any other hurricane hazard. Six inches of moving water can knock you down. Twelve inches can carry away a car.
• If you lose power, use flashlights, not candles. House fires spike during and after hurricanes because people use open flames for light.

After the Hurricane: Recovery

The storm passing does not mean the danger is over. More people die in the aftermath than during the storm itself. Downed power lines, contaminated water, structural damage, and carbon monoxide from generators kill people every hurricane season.

Immediate Safety

• Do not touch downed power lines. Assume every line is live. Report them to your utility company.
• Run generators outdoors only. Carbon monoxide from generators kills dozens of people after every major hurricane. Never run one in a garage, even with the door open.
• Boil water or use stored water until officials confirm the municipal supply is safe. Floodwater contaminates wells and water treatment plants.
• Watch for structural damage. If your home has visible damage to the foundation, walls, or roof, do not enter until it has been inspected.

Document Everything for Insurance

Before you clean up a single thing, photograph and video every bit of damage. Inside, outside, close-ups, wide shots. Document serial numbers on damaged appliances and electronics. Your insurance adjuster needs evidence, and memories fade fast in the chaos of recovery.

File your claim immediately. After a major hurricane, adjusters are overwhelmed, and the earlier you file, the earlier you get seen. Keep every receipt for temporary repairs, hotel stays, and meals. Most homeowner policies cover reasonable living expenses if your home is uninhabitable.

Mental Health Matters

This part gets overlooked in every preparedness guide, so here it is: hurricanes are traumatic. The stress of evacuation, property loss, and disrupted routine takes a real toll. FEMA's Crisis Counseling Program provides free mental health support after federally declared disasters. SAMHSA's Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) is available 24/7. Use these resources. There is no weakness in asking for help after a disaster.

Hurricane Preparedness for Renters

Renters face unique challenges. You cannot modify the building, you may not have a garage for storage, and your landlord's insurance does not cover your belongings.

• Get renter's insurance. It costs $15 to $30 per month and covers your belongings, temporary housing, and liability. Without it, everything you own is unprotected.
• Talk to your landlord about storm shutters and building maintenance before hurricane season.
• Store supplies compactly. A 55-gallon water barrel, a box of canned food, and a portable power station fit in a closet.
• Know your lease. Understand what happens if the property becomes uninhabitable. Most states have laws protecting tenants in disaster situations.

The Bottom Line

Hurricane preparedness is not about being paranoid. It is about being practical. The people who ride out storms successfully are the ones who prepared months in advance, not the ones fighting over the last case of water at Walmart while the outer bands are already hitting. Start now, build your supplies gradually, and when the next storm forms in the Atlantic, you will be ready while everyone else is panicking.