Hurricane Preparedness: A Step-by-Step Family Guide

Hurricanes Are Predictable -- That Is Your Advantage

Unlike earthquakes or tornadoes, hurricanes give you advance notice. Modern weather forecasting typically provides 3-5 days of warning before a hurricane reaches land. That window of time is your greatest asset.

This guide breaks hurricane preparedness into clear phases: what to do now (before any storm is on the radar), what to do when a storm is forecast, and what to do after it passes.

Phase 1: Year-Round Preparedness

The most effective hurricane preparation happens long before hurricane season begins. These steps take a few hours total and set you up for every storm season.

Know Your Zone

Every coastal and near-coastal area has designated evacuation zones. Find yours now:

• Check your county emergency management website for evacuation zone maps
• Know your zone letter or number (Zone A, Zone B, etc.)
• Understand what category triggers your zone's evacuation -- most Zone A evacuations begin at Category 2 or higher
• Identify your evacuation route and at least one alternate route

Assemble Your Hurricane Kit

Your standard [emergency kit](/blog/emergency-kit-checklist-complete-guide) forms the foundation. For hurricanes, add:

• Plywood or hurricane shutters for windows (measured and pre-cut saves critical hours)
• Tarps and heavy-duty plastic sheeting for emergency roof repairs
• Battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio -- this is essential, not optional
• Full tank of gas (keep your car above half-tank during hurricane season)
• Waterproof container for important documents
• Extra medications (pharmacies may be closed for days after a storm)

Prepare Your Property

• Trim trees and remove dead branches that could become projectiles
• Clear gutters and drains so water flows away from your home
• Know how to shut off utilities (gas, electricity, water) at the main
• Document your home's contents with photos or video for insurance purposes
• Secure outdoor furniture or know where you will store it quickly

Create a Family Communication Plan

• Designate an out-of-area contact that all family members can check in with
• Agree on a meeting point if you are separated during evacuation
• Program ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts into every family member's phone
• Share your plan with neighbors, especially elderly or mobility-limited neighbors

Phase 2: When a Storm Is Forecast (5-3 Days Out)

A tropical storm or hurricane has formed and forecasters say it may affect your area. Here is your action timeline.

5 Days Before

• Monitor official sources: National Hurricane Center (nhc.noaa.gov), your local emergency management office, and NOAA Weather Radio
• Review your evacuation plan with all household members
• Check your emergency kit -- replace expired items, restock supplies
• Fill prescriptions -- do not wait until the last day

3 Days Before

• Fill your car's gas tank -- gas stations get crowded and may run out
• Withdraw cash -- ATMs and card readers may not work after the storm
• Charge all devices -- phones, tablets, portable batteries, laptops
• Do laundry -- clean clothes and towels will be valuable if power is out for days
• Freeze water bottles -- they serve as ice to keep food cold and become drinking water as they melt

Grocery Priorities

If you do not already have a stocked pantry, focus on these items:

• Bottled water (1 gallon per person per day for 7 days minimum)
• Bread, peanut butter, crackers
• Canned goods with pop-top lids (in case you lose your can opener)
• Fresh fruit that lasts without refrigeration (apples, oranges, bananas)
• Baby supplies or pet food if applicable

Phase 3: 48 to 24 Hours Before Landfall

An evacuation order may be issued for your zone. Take it seriously -- evacuation orders are based on data, not guesswork.

If Evacuating

• Leave early. Traffic builds rapidly. A 2-hour drive can become 8 hours if you wait
• Bring your emergency kit, documents, medications, and phone chargers
• Secure your home: board windows, bring in outdoor items, turn off utilities if instructed
• Lock up and take photos of your home's condition before leaving
• Tell your out-of-area contact where you are going and your route

Know your destination: a friend or family member's home outside the impact zone, a designated public shelter, or a hotel along your evacuation route. Prevna's [scenario planning](/scenarios) can help you map this out in advance.

If Staying (Not in an Evacuation Zone)

• Board or shutter windows
• Move valuable items away from windows and to upper floors if flooding is possible
• Fill bathtubs with water for flushing toilets and non-drinking use
• Identify the safest room in your home: interior room, lowest floor, no windows
• Charge everything one more time

Phase 4: During the Storm

• Stay indoors and away from windows
• Go to your safe room if winds intensify
• Monitor weather radio for updates (do not rely solely on cell service)
• Do not go outside during the eye -- the second half of the storm follows
• If flooding begins, move to the highest point in your home. Never walk or drive through flood water.

Regarding the Eye of the Storm

The calm center of a hurricane can last 30 minutes to 2 hours. It can feel like the storm is over. It is not. Remain sheltered until official sources confirm the storm has fully passed your area.

Phase 5: After the Storm

The hours and days after a hurricane carry their own risks. More injuries occur during the recovery phase than during the storm itself.

Immediate Safety

• Do not go outside until officials confirm it is safe
• Watch for downed power lines -- assume every downed line is live
• Avoid standing water -- it may be electrically charged or contaminated
• Do not use candles -- use flashlights only (gas leaks are common)
• Check on neighbors, especially elderly and disabled individuals

Food Safety After Power Loss

• Refrigerated food: safe for up to 4 hours if the door stays closed
• Frozen food: safe for 24-48 hours in a full freezer (half that if half-full)
• When in doubt, throw it out -- foodborne illness during an emergency is a serious complication

Document and Report Damage

• Photograph everything before cleaning or moving debris
• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible
• Keep receipts for all emergency expenses (temporary housing, supplies, repairs)
• Register with FEMA at disasterassistance.gov if a federal disaster is declared

The Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

Use this condensed checklist to verify you are ready:

• [ ] Know your evacuation zone
• [ ] Evacuation route and alternate planned
• [ ] Out-of-area contact designated
• [ ] 7-day water supply stored
• [ ] 7-day food supply stored
• [ ] Emergency kit assembled and current
• [ ] Important documents in waterproof container
• [ ] Window protection (shutters or plywood) ready
• [ ] Trees trimmed, gutters cleared
• [ ] NOAA weather radio with fresh batteries
• [ ] Vehicle fuel at half tank or above
• [ ] Prescriptions filled for 14 days

Your Hurricane Readiness Score

Prevna's Scenario Score for hurricanes evaluates each of these categories and gives you a clear number. Completing 80% or more of the hurricane checklist marks that scenario as "prepared" in your profile.

Hurricanes are serious, but they are also manageable with the right preparation. The advance warning they provide means you have time to act -- and every step you take now reduces stress and improves safety when a storm is on its way.

[Create your personalized plan](/wizard) to get a hurricane preparedness checklist customized to your region, household size, and property type.