Preparing for a Hurricane or Major Storm

Before Hurricane Season (Now, months ahead)

Know your evacuation zoneFind out if you live in a hurricane evacuation area by contacting your local government/emergency management office or by checking the evacuation site website.
Check flood insurance statusStandard policies don't cover flood damage, and new NFIP policies typically have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins — buy or renew well before a storm forms.
Review all insurance coverageCheck your insurance coverage, damages caused by flooding are not automatically included in standard policies.
Harden your homeDe-clutter drains and gutters, bring in outside furniture and consider hurricane shutters.
Build a Go-Kit and a Stay-at-Home KitOrganize supplies into a Go-Kit and a Stay-at-Home Kit. Go-Kit: 3 days of supplies that you can carry with you. Stay-at-Home Kit: 2 weeks of supplies. Stores and pharmacies might be closed.
Stock a several-day supply of water and foodHave enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of 3 days (store a longer than 3-day supply of water, if possible).
Gather a battery/hand-crank NOAA weather radio and batteriesBattery-powered or hand crank radio that can receive NOAA Weather Radio tone alerts and extra batteries.
Refill and organize a month's supply of medication if if on regular prescriptionsStores and pharmacies might be closed. Have a 1-month supply of medication ready.
Write or review a family emergency communication planBefore an emergency happens, sit down with your family or close friends and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go, and what you will do in an emergency.
Plan multiple evacuation routes and a destinationNow is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Your destination could be a friend or relative who lives in a well built home outside flood prone areas. Plan several routes and account for pets.
Test and service any generator if if you own oneConfirm it runs and pair it with a carbon-monoxide detector; misuse of generators is a leading post-storm killer.

As a Storm Approaches (Watch/Warning issued, days out)

Monitor official forecasts continuouslyUse the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service rather than social media for the official track, intensity, and surge forecasts.
Charge all phones, power banks, and medical devicesKeep your cell phone charged when you know a hurricane is in the forecast and purchase backup charging devices to power electronics.
Fuel vehicles and fill portable fuel/propane containersGas availability drops sharply as landfall nears.
Withdraw some cashCard networks and ATMs may be down for days after landfall.
Secure or bring in outdoor furniture and loose itemsUnsecured items become wind-driven projectiles in high winds.
Decide shelter-in-place vs. evacuate nowKnow your evacuation zone and consider your personal risk. Make a plan to evacuate AND be ready to shelter in place.
Evacuate immediately if officials order itEvacuate immediately if told to do so. Follow recommended evacuation routes — do not take shortcuts, as they may be blocked.
Set up a designated interior safe room if if sheltering in placeChoose an interior room on the lowest floor above expected storm surge, away from windows.

During the Storm

Stay inside and away from windowsTake refuge in a designated storm shelter or an interior room for high winds. Go to the highest level of the building if you are trapped by flooding.
Never drive through floodwatersBe alert for road hazards such as washed-out roads or bridges and downed power lines. Never drive through floodwaters.
Go to the highest level of the building if trapped by rising waterGo to the highest level of the building if you are trapped by flooding. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped as water rises.
Watch for tornado warningsANY tropical system is capable of producing tornadoes! Tropical tornadoes are often short lived but they can produced enhanced areas of damage.
Never run a generator or fuel-burning device indoors or in a garageGasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, tent, or camper – or even outside near an open window. Carbon monoxide can't be seen or smelled, but it can kill you fast.

After the Storm