--- title: Making a Hurricane Evacuation Plan for Your Household description: Work out where you'd go, how you'd get there, and what you'd grab before a storm is anywhere near the forecast cone. category: safety tags: [hurricane, evacuation, emergency-planning, disaster-preparedness] version: "1.0" updated: 2026-10-21 moment: hurricane sources: - name: Ready.gov — Hurricanes url: https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes - name: Ready.gov — Make A Plan url: https://www.ready.gov/plan - name: Ready.gov — Six Ways to Prepare Your Home for a Hurricane url: https://www.fema.gov/blog/six-ways-prepare-your-home-hurricane - name: Red Cross — Be Red Cross Ready Hurricane Preparedness Checklist url: https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/get-help/pdfs/hurricane/EN_Hurricane-Safety-Checklist.pdf - name: CDC — Preparing for Hurricanes or Other Tropical Storms url: https://www.cdc.gov/hurricanes/safety/index.html - name: MCIEAST Camp Lejeune — Hurricane Preparedness Checklist url: https://www.mcieast.marines.mil/Portals/33/Documents/IEM/Camp-Lejeune/150929-MCB-CLJ-Hurricane-Preparedness-Checklist.pdf - name: This Storm Season — Hurricane Evacuation Checklist url: https://thisstormseason.com/evacuation-checklist/ - name: ValuePenguin — How Long Is the Flood Insurance Waiting Period? url: https://www.valuepenguin.com/flood-insurance-waiting-periods --- Hurricane season just started, and this is the window to get your plan sorted — before a storm is anywhere near the forecast cone. Once a hurricane is a few days out, you're rushing; right now you can think clearly, make calls, and get everyone on the same page. This isn't about boarding up windows — it's about knowing where you'd go, how you'd get there, and what you'd grab on the way out. ## Know Your Risk - [ ] Look up your evacuation zone `{essential}` You may have to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane if you live in an evacuation zone. Your county or state emergency management site will have the official zone map — don't guess based on how far you are from the beach. - [ ] Check whether you're in a storm surge or flood-prone area Zones are based on surge risk, not just distance from water, so even some inland spots flood badly. - [ ] Note any extra risks at home `{when: mobile-or-manufactured-home}` If you're in a mobile, manufactured, or trailer home, plan to leave for any hurricane warning no matter what zone you're in: mobile, manufactured, trailer homes and recreational vehicles are not safe in high wind events, so plan ahead by preparing to evacuate to a safe location. ## Decide Where You'll Go and How - [ ] Map at least two routes out of your area Have a backup in case your main road floods or jams with traffic. - [ ] Pick an actual destination, not just "somewhere inland" A relative's place, a hotel, or a public shelter as a last resort — stay with friends, relatives or at an inland hotel or, as a last resort, go to a designated public shelter outside of the flood zone. - [ ] Arrange transport if you don't drive `{when: no-personal-vehicle}` `{essential}` Line this up now, not during a watch: if you don't own a car, consider making plans with friends or family or call authorities to get a ride if you need to evacuate. - [ ] Confirm pet-friendly options along your route `{when: has-pets}` Most shelters won't take animals, so if you have pets, confirm pet-friendly shelters or hotels in advance. - [ ] Register for help if you or someone in your household needs it `{when: household-member-needs-assistance}` If anyone has a disability, medical equipment, or needs transportation assistance, get on your area's registry now; some counties ask you to call 2-1-1 to sign up. ## Set Up Your Household Plan - [ ] Agree on an out-of-area contact Pick one person everyone calls or texts to check in — local lines get jammed, but out-of-state calls often go through. - [ ] Write the plan down and give everyone a copy Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands your hurricane plans. Include the routes, destination, and contact numbers — don't rely on everyone remembering it. - [ ] Talk through everyone's specific needs `{when: household-member-has-specific-needs}` `{essential}` Think through medical needs including prescriptions and equipment and dietary or language needs so the plan actually fits your household, not a generic one. ## Lock Down Paperwork and Insurance - [ ] Check your flood insurance now `{essential}` Standard NFIP flood policies take 30 days to kick in, so if you're not in the middle of a home closing, you're likely waiting a whole month — buying once a storm is forecast is already too late. - [ ] Gather key documents and back them up Insurance policies, ID, medical records, and a home inventory — save digital backups of insurance policies, deeds, birth certificates and other important documents. Keep originals in a waterproof bag. - [ ] Set aside some cash ATMs and card readers may not work if power's out along your route. ## Build Your Go-Bag - [ ] Pack a 3-day go-bag per person `{essential}` Water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, and a battery or hand-crank radio are the core of it, per the Go-Kit: at least three days of supplies that you can carry with you, including backup batteries and chargers for your devices. - [ ] Pack at least a week of medication Pharmacies may be closed for days after a storm, so go beyond the bare minimum if your supply allows. - [ ] Keep your car's gas tank above half full all season Stations run out or lose power fast once an evacuation is called — keep vehicle gas tank above half-full during hurricane season (June–November). ## Finish the Loop - [ ] Walk your evacuation route once with the household A dry run makes the real thing far less chaotic, especially with kids or older relatives. - [ ] Share the plan with your out-of-area contact `{essential}` Share your evacuation plan with out-of-area family contact so someone outside the storm's path knows where you'll be headed.