A hurricane can cause widespread devastation both before and after it occurs. This guide is designed to help you properly prepare for and protect yourself during a hurricane.
Planning and preparation can greatly improve safety and resiliency during a hurricane. The ability to quickly recover following a hurricane requires a focus on preparedness, planning, and knowing what to do in the event of a hurricane.
How to Prepare for a Hurricane
Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over ocean water and often move toward land. Threats from hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, and tornadoes.
The heavy winds of hurricanes can damage or destroy homes, buildings, and roads and cause power, water, and gas outages. These effects can injure or kill people, disrupt transportation, and pollute drinking water.
Hurricanes cause deaths and injuries primarily from drowning, wind, and wind-borne debris. Their impact can extend from the coast to several hundred miles inland.
Now/Prepare
- Sign up for local alerts and warnings—Monitor local news and weather reports.
- Prepare to evacuate by testing your emergency communication plan(s), learning evacuation routes, having a place to stay, and packing a “go bag.”
- Stock emergency supplies.
- Protect your property by installing sewer backflow valves, anchoring fuel tanks, reviewing insurance policies, and cataloging belongings.
- Collect and safeguard critical financial, medical, educational, and legal documents and records.
Emergency Home Readiness Checklist
- Be prepared to cover your home’s windows by installing permanent storm shutters or plan to board up windows with 5/8” exterior grade or marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install.
Note: Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
- Reduce roof damage by installing straps or additional clips to fasten your roof to the frame structure.
- Trim trees and shrubs so they are more wind-resistant.
- Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
- Reinforce your garage doors with a counterbalancing kit.
- Bring in all outdoor furniture, garbage cans, and anything not tied down.
- If you have a boat, determine how and where to secure it.
During/Survive
- Follow guidance from local authorities.
- If advised to evacuate, grab your “go bag” and leave immediately.
- Avoid windows and seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest level to protect yourself from high winds.
- Move to higher ground if there is flooding or a flood warning.
- Turn Around Don’t Drown. Never walk or drive on flooded roads or through the water.
- Call 9-1-1 if you are in life-threatening danger.
If a Hurricane is Coming
- Shut off utilities and propane tanks
- Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and close the doors.
- Fill a tub with water.
- Unplug appliances and electronics.
- Listen closely to advice from local and state emergency officials.
- Fuel and service vehicles.
- Notify neighbors and a family member outside of the warned area of your evacuation plans.
- You can stay with friends and relatives at an inland hotel or, as a last resort, go to a designated public shelter outside the flood zone.
- Leave mobile homes in any case.
After/Be Safe
- Please return to the area only after authorities say it is safe. Do not enter damaged buildings until qualified professionals inspect them.
- Never walk or drive on flooded roads or through floodwaters.
- Look out for downed or unstable trees, poles, and power lines.
- Do not remove heavy debris alone. Wear gloves and sturdy, thick-soled shoes to protect your hands and feet.
- Do not drink tap water unless authorities say it is safe.
- Continue listening to the latest updates on NOAA Weather Radio or the local news.
- Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the hurricane or tropical storm has ended.
- If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.
- Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
- Please avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company.
- Stay out of any building that has water around it.
- Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures of the damage to the building and its contents for insurance.
- Use flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles.
- Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it’s not contaminated.
- Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.
- Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.
- Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control.
- Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
Stay informed: Emergency Notifications.
With NOAA Weather Radio (NWR), you can receive alerts and warnings directly from the National Weather Service for all hazards.
Some radio receivers are designed to work with external notification devices for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Sign up for emergency alerts and notifications that your community may offer.
Take Action to Protect Your Property Against Wind and Water Damage
Planning and preparing before a hurricane can help you manage the impact of high winds and floodwaters.
Take the steps outlined below to keep you and your family safe while protecting your home and property.
If you are a renter, talk with your landlord or property manager about the steps you can take together to protect yourself, your family, your home, and your property.
High winds
The best way to reduce the risk of damage to a structure from hurricane winds is to reinforce or strengthen the building, including doors, windows, walls, and roofs. The best way to protect yourself is to consider constructing a safe room or a storm shelter that meets ICC 500 criteria.
Wind-borne debris
Bring loose, lightweight objects (e.g., patio furniture, garbage cans, and bicycles) inside; anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (e.g., gas grills and propane tanks); and trim or remove trees close enough to fall on buildings.
Flood
You or your property owner can now take steps to make your home or business more flood-resistant. Some improvements are inexpensive and straightforward, while others require more investment.
As your budget allows, take these steps to protect your property from flood damage and manage your risks.
- Keep gutters and drains free of debris.
- Install a water alarm and sump pumps with battery backup.
- Install “check valves” in sewer lines to prevent floodwater from backing into your drains.
- Stockpile emergency protective materials such as plywood, plastic sheeting, and sandbags.
- Elevate the heating system (furnace), water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
- Waterproof the basement.
- In areas with repetitive flooding, consider elevating the building.
Flood Insurance
Most property insurance policies do not cover flood losses, so you must purchase separate flood insurance if your property is at risk for flooding. Talk to your insurance agent about buying flood insurance.
Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program for homeowners, renters, and business owners in participating communities. A policy purchased today will take effect in 30 days, so act now!
Deciding to Stay or Go
If authorities advise or order you to evacuate, grab your “go bag” and leave immediately. If you are not in a mandatory evacuation zone, you may still decide to leave the area, and you may need to move to higher ground or stay home.
If you decide to stay home, remember that even if the high winds and floodwaters do not reach your home, you may lose power and water and, if the roads are impassable, you may not be able to leave for several days.
If you are in an area that is flooding (e.g., on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an island waterway), move to a location on higher ground before floodwaters reach you.
Stay indoors and away from windows and glass doors. If you are in a temporary structure, safely move to a sturdy building and go to a windowless room on the lowest level that is not likely to flood.
Never use a generator, gasoline-powered equipment, tools, grill, camp stove, or charcoal-burning device inside or in any partially enclosed area. Keep these devices outside at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents.
Post-Disaster Tips to Stay Safe
If you’ve evacuated the area, wait for public officials to say it is safe before returning. Each year, a significant number of people are injured or killed while cleaning up after a hurricane. As you begin cleanup, keep these safety tips in mind:
Stay Safe
Do not wade in floodwaters containing dangerous debris, such as broken glass, metal, dead animals, sewage, gasoline, oil, and downed power lines.
Do not enter a building until it has been inspected for damage to the electrical system, gas lines, septic systems, and water lines or wells. Wear appropriate protective equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, rubber boots, and masks, to protect yourself from debris and airborne particles, such as mold and dust.
Do not use electrical equipment that is wet or standing in water. Also, protect your pet after a hurricane.
Stay Healthy
Throw out any food, including canned items, that were not maintained at a proper temperature or exposed to floodwaters. Do not eat food from a flooded garden. When in doubt, throw it out.
Avoid drinking tap water until you know it is safe. If uncertain, boil or purify it first.
Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage, bacteria, and chemicals.
Five Steps for Post-Hurricane Clean-Up
To avoid injury from possible exposure to mold and bacteria, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves, goggles, rubber boots, and N95 masks.
Please open all doors and windows whenever you are present and leave as many windows open when you are not present as security concerns allow.
Move out saturated porous materials such as mattresses or upholstered items, especially those with visible fungal growth. Tear out flooring, paneling, drywall, insulation, and electrical outlets saturated by floodwater.
Clean out and disinfect any remaining debris and mud. Dry out the building and any remaining contents.
Here is the Hurricane Preparedness Checklist you should take note of when preparing your family for a hurricane:
Water
- Drinking water (one gallon per person per day for 14 days)
- Water for cooking and hygiene (one gallon per person per day)
- Water for pets
- Gravity Water Filters (Berkey Water Filters Recommended)
Food
- Non-perishable packaged or canned food tolast14 days
- Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
- Canned or boxed juice
- Canned or boxed milk
- Bread, crackers, and cookies
- Special food for babies and the elderly
- Powdered coffee or tea
- Cereal
- Soup
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Granola bars
- Trail mix
Household Items
- Cooler for ice and food storage
- Flashlights with extra batteries or hand-crank
- Car charger for cell phones
- Battery-operated digital TV with car charger adapter
- Grill with extra propane, charcoal, or Sterno
- Waterproof matches
- Paper plates, bowls, and cups
- Napkins, paper towels, and toilet paper
- Water purification tablets
- Outdoor extension cords
- Plastic eating utensils
- Blanket
- Towels
- Cleaning supplies
- Work gloves
- Duct tape
- Multi-tool
- Waterproof tarps
- Plastic sheeting
- Rope
- Basic tool kit
- Moist towelettes
Health Essentials
- Two-week supply of prescription drugs
- Two-week supply of vitamins
- Over-the-counter pain reliever
- Toiletries and hygiene items
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
- Plastic garbage bags
- Antibacterial hand soap
For your pets
- Non-perishable food
- Water
- Medications
- Documentation and license
- Crate or pet carrier
Pack your Hurricane Survival Kit Now
Two-thirds of hurricanes that have hit land struck the Gulf Coast. It does not matter if you’ll need it, but when. Thus, it is highly recommended that you include these items in your survival kit.
Get it all together now and keep it together in one safe place. Hurricane season is here. Are you now ready?
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