How to Prepare for Hurricane Season

Every hurricane season, households and small businesses ask the same question: What should we do to be ready? This guide walks you through a practical, phased checklist—from long-lead tasks like insurance and home hardening to last-minute actions such as fueling vehicles and securing outdoor items. It’s designed to work for coastal residents, inland communities at risk of freshwater flooding, and small businesses that need continuity plans.

Preparation Timeline

Use this phased plan as a template; adjust to your location and risk (coastal surge, wind, or inland flood).

60–90 Days Before Peak Season

• Insurance checkup: Review homeowner/renter, flood, and windstorm policies; photograph valuables; confirm deductibles; store digital copies in the cloud.
• Home hardening plan: Price storm shutters (or pre-cut plywood), reinforce garage doors, trim trees, service roof and gutters, elevate appliances in flood-prone areas.
• Power & backup: Service generators; consider whole-home transfer switches; stock fuel stabilizer; test UPS units for routers/medical devices.
• Small business continuity: Identify critical functions, cross-train staff, and enable remote access to key systems. Export vendor and client contacts to an offline file.

30 Days Before Peak Season

• Emergency kit assembly: Water (at least 1 gallon/person/day for 3–7 days), non-perishable food, medications, first-aid kit, hygiene items, copies of IDs, cash, flashlights, batteries, and a hand-crank radio.
• Evacuation & sheltering plan: Know your zone and routes; choose two destinations (friend/family + out-of-area hotel). Plan for pets and special medical needs.
• Local monitoring: Set up alerts on your phone for official watches/warnings. Consider a home weather station for hyperlocal wind/rain readings and lightning alerts.
• Data protection: Back up phones and computers; store critical files on an encrypted USB and in cloud storage.

7–10 Days Before a Potential Threat

• Fuel & supplies: Fill vehicles and extra fuel containers (stored safely); refill prescriptions; stock ice/coolers.
• Property steps: Clear gutters and drains; test sump pumps; stage shutters/plywood; confirm fasteners and tools.
• Business comms drill: Run a 10-minute check-in with staff: escalation contacts, remote login credentials, and decision thresholds.

72–24 Hours Before Expected Impact

• Secure exterior: Bring in furniture, grills, planters; tie down items you can’t move.
• Install window/door protection: Shutters or pre-cut plywood. Park vehicles in garages or away from trees and flood-prone streets.
• Final comms: Confirm rendezvous points, out-of-area contact, and group text or radio channels. Charge power banks and devices.
• Evacuate if ordered: Leave early to avoid traffic and deteriorating conditions.

Home Hardening: Simple Fixes with Big Payoffs

• Openings: Shutters or impact-rated windows/doors reduce wind-borne debris damage. Seal around frames to limit water intrusion.
• Roof system: Inspect shingles, flashing, and ridge vents; add hurricane straps if feasible; keep gutters clear to prevent backup.
• Garage door: Reinforce panels and tracks; a failed door can pressurize the home and magnify damage.
• Yard & trees: Trim limbs away from structures and power lines; remove deadwood.
• Flood defenses: Use sandbags, door dams, and backflow preventers; elevate utilities and critical belongings.

Family & Team Communications Plan

Decide who contacts whom, by which method (voice, text, group chat, radio), and at what intervals. Choose a trusted out-of-area contact who can relay updates if local networks are overloaded. Print or save offline a contact sheet with addresses, phone numbers, and policy details.

Tech & Tools That Help

• Local weather station: Real-time wind, rain, pressure, and lightning alerts tailor your decisions to your exact location. Consider battery/solar backup.
• NOAA Weather Radio: Receives watches, warnings, and advisories even during power or cell outages.
• Apps & alerts: Bookmark official sources and enable push alerts. Keep a paper map as backup.
• Power redundancy: Generators, power banks, 12V car inverters, and small solar panels extend device uptime.

Special Considerations

• Children & elderly: Prepare comfort items, medical summaries, and extra days of medications. Confirm evacuation assistance if needed.
• Pets: Food, water, carriers, proof of vaccinations, and a plan for pet-friendly shelters or hotels.
• Medical devices: Backup batteries, car-adapter options, and a prioritized load plan for generators/UPS.
• Apartments & condos: Speak with building management about shutter policies, generator availability, and shelter spaces.

Small Business Continuity

• People: Safety first. Establish remote work policies and payroll continuity scenarios.
• Property: Document inventory with timestamped photos/video; secure signage, awnings, and rooftop units; move stock off floors.
• Process: Identify two critical functions you must restore first (e.g., order processing, phone lines). Pre-write customer updates and supplier notifications.
• Power & data: Test generator/ATS; replicate critical data offsite; keep spare routers and cables.

Post-Storm Safety & Recovery

• Hazards: Treat all downed lines as energized; avoid floodwater (contaminants, hidden currents); beware of carbon monoxide from generators.
• Documentation: Take wide and close-up photos before cleanup; save receipts; contact insurers early.
• Cleanup: Use protective gear; watch for mold; discard perishable food exposed to >2 hours without refrigeration.
• Mental health: Stress and sleep loss are common. Check in with neighbors, employees, and family.