{ "slug": "preparing-for-a-hurricane-or-major-storm", "url": "https://checklists.org/preparing-for-a-hurricane-or-major-storm", "markdown": "https://checklists.org/preparing-for-a-hurricane-or-major-storm.md", "title": "Preparing for a Hurricane or Major Storm", "description": "A checklist covering pre-season preparation, evacuation planning, storm-day safety, and post-storm recovery steps for hurricanes and major storms.", "category": "safety", "tags": [ "hurricane", "emergency-preparedness", "evacuation", "disaster-safety" ], "version": "1.0", "updated": "2026-07-13", "sources": [ { "name": "Ready.gov, \"Hurricanes\"", "url": "https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes" }, { "name": "Ready.gov, \"Hurricane Season Preparedness Digital Toolkit\"", "url": "https://www.ready.gov/hurricane-toolkit" }, { "name": "National Weather Service, \"What to Do Before the Tropical Storm or Hurricane\"", "url": "https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan" }, { "name": "National Weather Service, \"Hurricane Preparedness\" (Newport/Morehead City)", "url": "https://www.weather.gov/mhx/hurricaneprep" }, { "name": "NOAA, \"Prepare Before Hurricane Season\"", "url": "https://www.noaa.gov/prepare-before-hurricane-season" }, { "name": "Ready.gov, \"Emergency Supply List\" (PDF)", "url": "https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/ready_checklist.pdf" }, { "name": "Red Cross, \"Hurricane Preparedness\"", "url": "https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/hurricane.html" }, { "name": "Red Cross, \"Be Red Cross Ready Hurricane Preparedness Checklist\" (PDF)", "url": "https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/get-help/pdfs/hurricane/EN_Hurricane-Safety-Checklist.pdf" }, { "name": "Red Cross, \"Safe Generator Use\"", "url": "https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/power-outage/safe-generator-use.html" }, { "name": "KHOU (citing generator safety guidance), \"Hurricane checklist: go bag and shelter-in-place\"", "url": "https://www.khou.com/article/weather/hurricane/hurricane-quick-tips/hurricane-supply-list/285-b0ea51b1-b228-4eb7-9a89-80442b103948" } ], "itemCount": 34, "essentialCount": 12, "sections": [ { "title": "Before Hurricane Season (Now, months ahead)", "items": [ { "id": "1jvs57m", "text": "Know your evacuation zone", "note": "Find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation area by contacting your local government/emergency management office or by checking the evacuation site website.", "essential": true }, { "id": "1rrgvjj", "text": "Check flood insurance status", "note": "Standard 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.", "essential": true }, { "id": "1axrfnq", "text": "Review all insurance coverage", "note": "Check your insurance coverage, damages caused by flooding are not automatically included in standard policies." }, { "id": "omrzib", "text": "Harden your home", "note": "De-clutter drains and gutters, bring in outside furniture and consider hurricane shutters." }, { "id": "u3u7mc", "text": "Build a Go-Kit and a Stay-at-Home Kit", "note": "Organize 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.", "essential": true }, { "id": "1rumxid", "text": "Stock a several-day supply of water and food", "note": "Have 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)." }, { "id": "18j1w2c", "text": "Gather a battery/hand-crank NOAA weather radio and batteries", "note": "Battery-powered or hand crank radio that can receive NOAA Weather Radio tone alerts and extra batteries." }, { "id": "jpufr1", "text": "Refill and organize a month's supply of medication", "note": "Stores and pharmacies might be closed. Have a 1-month supply of medication ready.", "when": "if-on-regular-prescriptions" }, { "id": "8bnyzi", "text": "Write or review a family emergency communication plan", "note": "Before 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." }, { "id": "10e2w7j", "text": "Plan multiple evacuation routes and a destination", "note": "Now 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." }, { "id": "1k2daj0", "text": "Test and service any generator", "note": "Confirm it runs and pair it with a carbon-monoxide detector; misuse of generators is a leading post-storm killer.", "when": "if-you-own-one" } ] }, { "title": "As a Storm Approaches (Watch/Warning issued, days out)", "items": [ { "id": "19211jx", "text": "Monitor official forecasts continuously", "note": "Use the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service rather than social media for the official track, intensity, and surge forecasts." }, { "id": "18x5or9", "text": "Charge all phones, power banks, and medical devices", "note": "Keep your cell phone charged when you know a hurricane is in the forecast and purchase backup charging devices to power electronics.", "essential": true }, { "id": "v4w0fk", "text": "Fuel vehicles and fill portable fuel/propane containers", "note": "Gas availability drops sharply as landfall nears." }, { "id": "1b34ynj", "text": "Withdraw some cash", "note": "Card networks and ATMs may be down for days after landfall." }, { "id": "pm0cw2", "text": "Secure or bring in outdoor furniture and loose items", "note": "Unsecured items become wind-driven projectiles in high winds." }, { "id": "1p8nfv2", "text": "Decide shelter-in-place vs. evacuate now", "note": "Know your evacuation zone and consider your personal risk. Make a plan to evacuate AND be ready to shelter in place.", "essential": true }, { "id": "nbrc72", "text": "Evacuate immediately if officials order it", "note": "Evacuate immediately if told to do so. Follow recommended evacuation routes — do not take shortcuts, as they may be blocked.", "essential": true }, { "id": "juvj2", "text": "Set up a designated interior safe room", "note": "Choose an interior room on the lowest floor above expected storm surge, away from windows.", "when": "if-sheltering-in-place" } ] }, { "title": "During the Storm", "items": [ { "id": "1opu3i3", "text": "Stay inside and away from windows", "note": "Take 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.", "essential": true }, { "id": "ga0c0x", "text": "Never drive through floodwaters", "note": "Be alert for road hazards such as washed-out roads or bridges and downed power lines. Never drive through floodwaters.", "essential": true }, { "id": "4v048d", "text": "Go to the highest level of the building if trapped by rising water", "note": "Go 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." }, { "id": "br9t3m", "text": "Watch for tornado warnings", "note": "ANY tropical system is capable of producing tornadoes! Tropical tornadoes are often short lived but they can produced enhanced areas of damage." }, { "id": "b7xj3m", "text": "Never run a generator or fuel-burning device indoors or in a garage", "note": "Gasoline, 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.", "essential": true } ] }, { "title": "After the Storm", "items": [ { "id": "12bkr0p", "text": "Wait for official \"all clear\" before returning", "note": "Roads, bridges, and power lines can remain dangerous long after winds die down.", "essential": true }, { "id": "nf2ga1", "text": "Avoid downed power lines and standing water near them", "note": "Treat every downed line as energized." }, { "id": "d8uj2n", "text": "Check on neighbors, especially those elderly or with medical needs" }, { "id": "1eazwuc", "text": "Inspect for gas and electrical damage before fully re-entering", "note": "Leave immediately and report any smell of gas." }, { "id": "1q8qdw7", "text": "Throw out food or water exposed to floodwater or extended power loss", "note": "When in doubt, throw it out! Throw out food that got wet or warm.", "essential": true }, { "id": "1f3cj7x", "text": "Check with your health department before drinking tap water", "note": "Monitor your local health department for information about drinking water safety.", "when": "if-advised-or-water-service-was-disrupted" }, { "id": "18hpn8z", "text": "Document damage with photos before cleanup", "note": "Capture damage before moving or discarding items, for insurance claims." }, { "id": "149ta1d", "text": "Wear protective gear during cleanup", "note": "Wear appropriate protective equipment including gloves, goggles and boots. Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. When cleaning heavy debris, work with a partner." }, { "id": "11uuvb6", "text": "Keep using generators only outdoors, well after the storm passes", "note": "Always use generators outside, away from doors, windows, awnings, and eaves. Generators should be 20 feet away from buildings. Never connect a generator directly to your home's wiring.", "essential": true }, { "id": "1jzugp3", "text": "File insurance claims promptly", "note": "Submit your documented damage as soon as your insurer's claims lines reopen." } ] } ] }