Everything You Need to Know About Hurricane Safety
Are You Hurricane Ready?
Everything You Need to Know About Hurricane Safety
Hurricanes don’t care about our plans — they hit hard and fast, and the news can be hard to follow. And as we enter the heart of hurricane season, the latest NOAA outlook points to a busier-than-usual stretch ahead. Here’s their update:
NOAA, August 7th, 2025
But with a simple plan, you can keep your family safe. This guide walks you through what to do before, during, and after a storm. I’ll break down the words you hear on the news — watch vs. warning, the “cone,” storm surge, spaghetti models, and what those categories really mean. You’ll get easy checklists for water, power, medicine, pets, and your car. We’ll cover when to stay, when to go, and how to come back safe.
Hurricane Basics: What, When, Where
Know when storms show up and what hurts you most. Wind gets the headlines, but water does the killing — storm surge and flooding. If you know your season and risk, you can plan early instead of panicking late.
Hurricane Season Dates (U.S.)
- Atlantic: June 1–Nov 30
- Eastern & Central Pacific: May 15–Nov 30
- Peak Atlantic activity: mid-August to mid-October (near Sept 10 is the historical peak)
- Main hazards: storm surge, inland flooding, destructive wind, tornadoes, rip currents
- Most fatalities: from water, especially storm surge
- Who’s at risk: coastal regions and far inland (rivers overflow, creeks rise, roads wash out)
Hurricane Terminology
All those terms on TV actually help you decide. Watch vs. Warning, categories, surge, landfall — when you know the lingo, you know what to do and when to do it.
- Tropical Depression / Tropical Storm / Hurricane: <39 mph / 39–73 mph / 74+ mph
- Saffir‑Simpson Categories (1–5): Based only on wind speed (not rain or surge). Higher category = stronger wind, but any category can flood you.
- Watch vs. Warning:
- Watch: conditions possible (~48 hours out)
- Warning: conditions expected (~36 hours out) → finish prep & move if told
- Landfall: When the center (eye) crosses the coast. Bands hitting the beach aren’t “landfall.”
- Rapid intensification: winds jump ~35 mph in 24 hours. That’s why storms can “suddenly” get bad.
- Storm surge vs. storm tide:
- Surge = extra water the storm piles up.
- Storm tide = surge + normal tide. Either way, it’s why flooding kills.
How to “Read” Hurricane Graphs & Headlines
Don’t chase the skinny line on the map. The “cone” shows where the center may go, not where impacts stop. Look at wind‑arrival times and surge maps so you finish outside jobs before the first gusts and know if water is your real danger. Plan for timing, wind, and water, not just the line.
- Cone of Uncertainty: Where the center may go ~60–70% of the time; impacts happen far outside the cone. Don’t treat it like a flood or wind boundary.
- Wind Speed Probabilities & Arrival-Time Maps: Show how likely you’ll get tropical-storm-force winds and when—finish outside prep by the earliest reasonable arrival time
- Storm Surge maps: Show areas at risk for life‑threatening water. If you’re in it and told to go, go.
- “Spaghetti models”: Good for showing spread, not a plan—rely on official NHC products.
💡 Tip: Learn how to read hurricane graphs using NOAA's official guide.
How to Prepare Before a Hurricane
Don’t wing it—prep is a simple checklist you can finish before the first bands arrive. Start with the big three: backup power to keep food and meds safe, clean water (plus a way to make more), and ready go-bags for every person. Then add a 10-minute family plan, harden your home, and follow the 72/48/24-hour timeline so you’re calm, packed, and out of harm’s way whether you're sheltering in place or evacuating to a shelter or an inland location.
Your 3 Big Hurricane Must‑Haves
Start with the Big 3. If you dial these in, you’ve done the hard part. They turn a scary forecast into a simple checklist—so when the wind picks up, you can move quickly and stay calm.
Backup power (quiet, safe to use): Keeps phones, lights, meds, and a fridge going. Test it before a storm.
Clean, safe water: Store at least 1 gallon per person per day (3–7 days minimum). Add a filter for backup.
Go‑bags for each person: Meds, copies of papers, clothes, food, water, light, radio, chargers.
Make Your Family Shelter Plan
A 10-minute plan beats a perfect one you never finish. Pick meeting spots, an out-of-area contact, routes, and how you’ll get alerts—then print it.
☐ Pick two meeting spots: One near home, one out of town.
☐ Understand your local area's risk levels: FEMA's National Risk Index is a helpful resource.
☐ Know your zone & routes: Find your evacuation zone, print them, and practice with kids and pets.
☐ Ways to get alerts: Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your phone, sign up for local alerts, and keep a weather app or radio handy.
☐ Contacts: Pick one out‑of‑town contact everyone can text.
☐ Supplies: Aim for 3–7 days of water, food, and basics; more if you can. Include pet needs and meds & medical equipment.
☐ Pet plan: Many public shelters don’t allow pets. Line up pet‑friendly places now. Pack food, meds, leash, carrier, vet records, and ID
When planning, make sure to consider:
- Ages of members of your household
- Special dietary needs
- Medical needs & disabilities
- Roles & responsibilities for each member of your family
Home Hardening Before Landfall
Now let’s make your home tougher before the storm. “Home hardening” is just simple fixes that keep wind and water out—so small problems don’t turn into big, expensive ones. Do it while the sky is blue, and you won’t be scrambling when the rain bands show up.
- Garage door: It’s a weak point. Add a manufacturer bracing kit or vertical 2× supports that tie into the floor/wall framing; park cars away from garage doors if you can’t reinforce.
- Roof connections: Long-term upgrade—install hurricane straps/clips (rafter-to-wall ties), gable-end bracing, and a sealed roof deck. Not a night-before task; plan this off-season.
- Loose stuff & trees: Clear gutters/downspouts; bring in yard items; trim dead/weak limbs away from the roof and wires. Don’t leave yard waste piled up—it becomes debris.
- Windows: Use shutters or pre-cut 5/8" exterior-grade plywood labeled for each window. Overlap the frame by ~8", fasten into framing (not just trim) with exterior screws/bolts (~6–8" on edges, ~12" in the field).
💡 Tip: Don’t tape windows. It’s a myth—it doesn’t stop glass from breaking. Tape can create bigger, sharper shards and gives a false sense of security.
- Bring in outdoor gear (grills, chairs) so it doesn’t fly.
- Move light/loose items inside: patio chairs, umbrellas, toys, tools, décor, trash cans.
- For heavy items you can’t move, strap them down to solid anchors.
- Grills: turn off fuel, disconnect propane, and store the tank upright outdoors in a safe spot (never in a garage or house).
- Charge everything.
- Fully charge phones, power banks, headlamps/lanterns, radios, and spare battery packs.
- Download offline maps and local emergency numbers; switch phones to low-power mode before the storm.
- Set fridge/freezer to coldest. If power goes, keep doors shut.
Expect the Power to Go Out
Blackouts are common in hurricanes. Plan around it. Have a way to run a fridge (to save food), charge phones, and keep medical gear going. That means solar generator or battery backup, not just gas. (Gas generators can be deadly indoors!)
- Home backup power (solar/battery) + charged power banks:
- Size for essentials first: phone/radio lights (low), CPAP/medical (medium), fridge (highest draw, big startup surge).
- As a rough guide: a modern fridge averages 40–80W over time (higher at startup). A 1000Wh power station can often bridge ~12–20 hrs of fridge time (actual mileage varies).
- Solar = stamina: a 100–200W panel can refill small to mid power stations daily if you get sun; set panels downwind/secured so gusts don’t launch them.
- Charge strategy: top everything to 100% before landfall; during outages, rotate loads (charge phones first, then lights), and avoid running high-draw items continuously.
- Keep multiple power banks labeled by person; standardize on USB-C cables to simplify charging.
- Headlamps + lanterns (hands-free beats candles):
- Headlamps keep both hands free for cooking, first aid, and moving safely—stash one per person plus spare batteries.
- Pick LED lanterns with hooks/magnets; target 150–400 lumens for rooms, 50–100 for hallways/nightlight.
- Prefer rechargeable lights (USB-C) but keep a few AA/AAA lights as backup; set a bin for spare batteries.
- Red-light/night modes protect night vision and are gentler for kids. Skip candles—fire risk during high winds.
- Stage lights in every room and one at each stair/exit; test every unit.
- Car ready: full tank before the storm; adapter to charge phones:
- Fill up 48–24 hours before landfall (lines get long). Keep at least ½ tank during season.
- Add a 12V USB-C PD charger (or small inverter) so the car can be a charging hub if grid/solar is down.
- Pre-trip check: tires, wipers, fluids, paper maps, cash, and a small car go-kit (jack, jumper pack, blanket, snacks, water).
- EV owners: charge to 90–100%; if your vehicle supports vehicle-to-load (V2L), stage a cable for powering small appliances.
Water: Plan for Daily Use and Emergencies
Aim for at least 1 gallon per person per day for 3+ days. Have bottles and a gravity filter so you can make more if supply is cut or boil notices hit.
- How much to store (baseline & better):
- Aim for 1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 days (drinking, cooking, brushing teeth). If you can, build toward 2 weeks. Store extra for pregnant people, the sick, pets, and hot climates.
- Best containers & how to clean them:
- Use food-grade containers with tight lids (or unopened bottled water). Before filling: wash with soap and water, then sanitize the container with 1 tsp unscented household bleach (5–9% sodium hypochlorite) in 1 quart of water; shake to coat all surfaces, wait 30+ seconds, pour out, air-dry, then fill. Label “drinking water” + date; rotate every 6 months; store cool and out of sunlight.
- When the tap is unsafe (order of options):
- Bottled → Boiled → Disinfected (chemical). Boil clear water at a rolling boil for 1 minute (if you live above 6,500 ft, boil 3 minutes). Boiling kills germs but doesn’t remove chemicals—follow local guidance.
- Disinfect with bleach (if you can’t boil):
- Use regular, unscented bleach suitable for disinfection (check the label for 6% or 8.25% sodium hypochlorite; avoid splash-less/scented/color-safe). Add to clear water, stir, and let stand 30 minutes.
- 6% bleach: 8 drops per gallon (double if water is cloudy/very cold).
- 8.25% bleach: 6 drops per gallon (double if cloudy/very cold).
- If you don’t smell a slight chlorine odor after 30 minutes, repeat the dose and wait 15 minutes more.
⚠️ Tip: Carefully follow EPA guidelines in order to safely disinfect water.
- Filters & purifiers (what they can/can’t do):
- Portable filters can remove bacteria and parasites, but not viruses—pair a filter with chemical disinfection to cover viruses. UV purifiers work on clear water; pre-filter cloudy water first. Follow your device’s instructions.
- Hidden water sources at home (last-ditch):
- You may be able to use melted ice, or drain your hot water heater once it cools; treat this water before drinking. (Do not use water from radiators/boilers or anything that may contain chemicals.)
- ⚠️ What not to do:
- Don’t try to make water safe if it’s contaminated with fuel or toxic chemicals—use bottled or a different source. Don’t use scented/splash-less bleach, and don’t guess on doses.
- Quick grab list:
- Bottled water (build toward 2 weeks)
- Gravity filter + backup disinfection tablets
- Unscented household bleach (5–9%)
- Clean jugs or food-grade containers, measuring dropper, and labels for dates.
Let’s talk go-bags. In a hurricane, minutes matter. A packed bag by the door lets you grab it and go—no hunting for meds, papers, or a flashlight in the dark. It keeps you calm, keeps your family moving, and buys you time when every minute counts. It is recommended to have a go-bag for every member of your family.
How to Make a “Go Bag” (Bug‑Out Bag)
What to Pack (the basics):
☐ One labeled bag per person (ID/name on tag)
☐ Water: 1 gallon/person/day (3 days) + compact filter
☐ Food: 3 days shelf-stable emergency food + manual can opener
☐ Meds: 7–14 day supply + copies of prescriptions
☐ Health: basic first aid kit; spare glasses/contacts
☐ Light: headlamp/flashlight + spare batteries
☐ Power: power bank + phone charging cables
☐ Comms: NOAA weather radio (solar/hand-crank) + whistle
☐ Documents & money: copies of ID/insurance, emergency contacts, cash (small bills) in a zip bag
☐ Clothing: sturdy shoes, socks, work gloves, rain gear, warm layer
☐ Hygiene: toothbrush, wipes, hand sanitizer, trash bags
☐ Tools & shelter: multi-tool, small tarp/poncho
☐ Kids & pets (as needed): comfort item, diapers/formula, pet food, leash/carrier, vet records
☐ Extras: paper maps, notepad/pen, spare keys
💡 Tip: Choose a durable backpack/duffel; label with name/phone; keep bags by the door; review each season to refresh meds, batteries, and sizes for growing kids.
Evacuation Guidelines
If officials say go, you go—early. Pack once, fuel up, and drive a planned route inland. Water kills and roads close fast, so beat the rush and don’t gamble with “one more hour.”
- When to leave:
- Leave as soon as an evacuation order is issued (mandatory or voluntary in surge/flood zones).
- Aim to be on the road before tropical-storm-force winds (39+ mph) and rising water.
- If you’re in a mobile home, low-lying, or surge zone, plan to go early even without an order.
- Where to go:
- Pick a destination 20–50 miles inland and outside evacuation zones—friend/family, hotel, or public shelter.
- Confirm pet-friendly options; many shelters require crates, leashes, and vaccine records, or may not allow pets at all.
- At shelters, follow intake rules; have IDs, meds, pet paperwork ready.
💡 Tip: Download the FEMA app for up-to-date info on open shelters in your local area.
- What to bring (must-haves):
- Go-bags for each person; meds for 7–14 days; chargers/power banks; IDs, insurance papers, cash (small bills).
- Water/food for the drive; clothing, sturdy shoes; pet supplies; paper maps and key phone numbers.
- Vehicle ready:
- Fill the tank/charge the EV 24–48 hours before landfall; check tires, fluids, wipers.
- Pack a small car kit: jumper pack, tire inflator/sealant, basic tools, blanket, snacks, water.
- Add a 12V USB-C charger (or inverter) so the car can recharge phones/radios.
- House prep before you go:
- Shut and lock doors/windows; unplug non-essentials; set fridge/freezer to coldest and keep closed.
- If flooding is likely, turn off power at the main breaker only if the area is dry and safe to reach.
- Do not turn off gas unless your utility or officials instruct you.
- Move valuables off the floor; bring in/secure outdoor items.
- Route & comms:
- Print primary and alternate routes; expect detours/contraflow.
- Don’t drive through water or around barricades.
- Tell your out-of-area contact where you’re going and when you’ll check in. Use text, not calls.
- If you don’t have a car / need help:
- Call local emergency management or 2-1-1 for evacuation transport info; ask neighbors/church/community groups before the storm.
- Special medical needs:
- Pack device chargers, backup power, copies of prescriptions, and a note of diagnoses/allergies.
- Keep critical items (EpiPens, insulin, inhalers) on your person, not in luggage.
- On the road:
- Drive in daylight if possible; watch for debris and downed lines.
- Keep a half-tank minimum as you move inland; stop early when you can.
- Coming back:
- Return only after an official all-clear. Expect outages, debris, and limited services; re-enter cautiously with PPE (gloves, boots).
After the Hurricane: Staying Safe While You Recover
The danger isn’t over when the wind stops. Treat every wire as live, every puddle as contaminated, and every engine as a CO risk. Go slow, document damage, and fix what keeps you safe before what makes things pretty.
- Step outside carefully:
- Watch for downed power lines, broken glass, nails, and unstable trees/roofs.
- Wear sturdy shoes, work gloves, eye protection; keep kids and pets inside until you sweep hazards.
- Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
- As little as 12 inches of moving water can float a car; 18–24 inches can carry away larger vehicles. Don’t walk or drive into floodwater.
- Power & carbon monoxide:
- Run CO detectors on fresh batteries; if it alarms or you feel dizzy/headache, get outside and call for help.
- Generators, grills, camp stoves stay outside only, 20+ ft from doors/windows; point exhaust away.
💡 Tip: Solar generators are a great back-up power solution. They're fume-free, quiet and can safely be used indoors.
- Floodwater & sanitation:
- Assume floodwater has sewage, fuel, and sharp debris—don’t wade if you can avoid it.
- Wash hands often; clean and cover any cuts; toss porous items (carpets, mattresses) soaked by floodwater.
- Food & water safety:
- Keep fridge/freezer closed; throw out perishables above 40°F for 2+ hours and anything touched by floodwater.
- Follow local boil-water or do-not-use advisories. Use bottled or properly treated water for drinking, cooking, teeth, and baby formula.
- Home utilities & structure:
- Smell gas or hear hissing? Leave, then call the utility. Don’t use matches or switches.
- If wiring is wet or you see sparks, shut off power at the main only if it’s dry and safe to reach.
- Avoid rooms with sagging ceilings or soaked drywall; photograph, then remove water and ventilate.
- Mold & cleanup PPE:
- Start drying within 24–48 hours: open windows, run fans/dehumidifiers if safe.
- For cleanup, wear N95, gloves, boots, and eye protection. Cut out drywall 1–2 ft above the water line; disinfect hard surfaces.
- Chainsaws & ladders (serious injury zone):
- Don’t work alone; keep a first-aid kit nearby.
- Stay off wet roofs; keep both feet on ladders; watch kickback zones with saws.
- Insurance & documentation:
- Photograph/video all damage before cleanup; keep a list.
- Prevent further damage (tarps, boarding) and save receipts—insurers often reimburse reasonable emergency repairs.
- Roads, curfews & comms:
- Respect curfews/closures; avoid standing water—roads may be washed out.
- Text, don’t call to conserve battery and reduce network load; check official updates at set times.
- Health checks & neighbors:
- Watch for heat stress, dehydration, and CO symptoms.
- Check on neighbors, especially older adults or anyone with medical devices.
- Pets & wildlife:
- Keep pets leashed; flood-displaced snakes, fire ants, or gators may be present.
- Don’t handle wildlife; call local animal control.
- Refill, restock, review:
- Note what you used, what you missed, and update your go-bags, water, and power plan for next time.
Quick Overview: Your Hurricane Plan
Alright, you’re set. You know the season, the terms, and how to read the cone. You’ve got a simple plan, your Big 3 squared away, your home toughened up, and a clear idea of when to stay or go—and how to come back safe. Now let’s boil it all down into a quick, high-level checklist you can print, stick on the fridge, and use when the wind starts to howl.
Hurricane Preparedness Checklist: What To Do When
Before Hurricane Season (once)
☐ Create your shelter plan
☐ Know your evacuation zone & routes; print maps.
☐ Build go-bags (one per person + pets).
☐ Store water (1 gal/person/day, 3–7 days) + a filter.
☐ Test backup power (solar/battery or generator); buy CO detectors.
☐ Protect home: shutters/plywood plan, trim trees, clean gutters.
☐ Update insurance; back up documents; keep cash (small bills).
72 Hours Before (or when a Watch is likely)
☐ Top off gas / charge EV; get meds refills.
☐ Bring in/secure outdoor items (grills, chairs, décor).
☐ Set fridge/freezer to coldest; freeze water jugs/bottles.
☐ Charge phones, power banks, radios, lights.
☐ Confirm where you’ll go if told to evacuate (pet-friendly options).
48–36 Hours Before (Watch → Warning)
☐ Install shutters or pre-cut 5/8" plywood; reinforce garage door.
☐ Unplug non-essentials; surge-protect the rest; leave one lamp on.
☐ Stage safe room (interior, windowless); move beds away from glass.
☐ Review plan with family; set check-in times with out-of-area contact.
24 Hours Before
☐ Fill bathtubs/containers for wash/flush.
☐ Finish laundry/dishes; move cars to high ground away from trees, if possible
☐ Keep NOAA weather radio and alerts on
☐ If you’re in a surge/flood zone and orders are likely: leave now.
If You’re Told to Evacuate
☐ Go early—before 39+ mph winds; never wait on rising water.
☐ Take go-bags, meds, documents, pets, chargers, cash.
☐ Lock up; unplug non-essentials; keep fridge/freezer closed.
☐ Drive a planned route inland; don’t drive through water.
☐ Text your contact where you’re going and ETA.
During the Storm
☐ Shelter in a small, interior, windowless room (not at flood risk).
☐ No candles—use headlamps/lanterns.
☐ Gas generators/grills/camp stoves outside only, 20+ ft from doors/windows. Solar generators can be used safely indoors.
☐ Stay away from windows; if it gets calm, it could be the eye—stay inside.
☐ Keep fridge/freezer closed.
Right After (0–24 Hours)
☐ Watch for downed lines, gas smells, sharp debris; wear shoes & gloves.
☐ Avoid floodwater; assume it’s contaminated.
☐ Use bottled/treated/filtered water; follow boil-water advisories.
☐ Photograph/video damage before cleanup; save receipts for emergency repairs.
☐ Check on neighbors, especially older adults and those with medical devices.
24–72 Hours After
☐ Food safety: toss perishables >40°F for 2+ hrs; anything touched by floodwater.
☐ Dry out fast (24–48 hrs) to prevent mold; use fans/dehumidifiers if safe.
☐ Wear PPE (N95, gloves, eye protection) for cleanup; cut out soaked drywall.
☐ Refill what you used (water, batteries, meds); note gaps to fix before next time.
In Closing
Friend, storms don’t wait—and you won’t either. You’ve got a simple plan now: when to go, what to pack, and how to read the maps. Do one thing today—stash a few jugs of water, charge your power banks, and print your routes and contacts. Begin to build an emergency go-bag for each member of your family. Show your family, check on a neighbor, and keep a radio and light where you can grab them in the dark. When the wind howls, you won’t guess—you’ll act. That’s how you protect your home and the people you love. Stay safe, stay ready.
If you are a disaster survivor, please visit FEMA.gov for up-to-date information on current disaster declarations. If you have questions about your disaster assistance application, visit disasterassistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call (800) 621-3362.
Top Emergency Essentials
References & Resources:
- National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA): What's the Difference Between a Hurricane Watch and a Warning?
- NOAA: Prediction remains on track for above-normal Atlantic hurricane season
- NOAA: Find your Evacuation Zone
- National Hurricane Center (NHC): Tropical Cyclone Climatology
- NHC: Storm Surge Products
- NHC: How to Use the Cone Graphic
- Ready.gov: Evacuation
- Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA): The National Risk Index
- FEMA: Know Your Alerts
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water
- Center for Disease Control (CDC): Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency