GuidesEnvironmental and housing risk7 min read

Hurricane preparedness checklist for your household

Hurricanes come with days of warning, so almost everything that matters can be done before the storm is named.

Know your zone before the season starts

Evacuation decisions are made by zone, not by how strong the wind looks. Look yours up once and write it on the plan.

Find your evacuation zone on your county emergency management site
Check whether your home is in a flood zone, which is separate from the evacuation zone
Pick the destination you would drive to and a backup further inland
Confirm which nearby shelters accept pets, since many do not

Supplies for seven days, not three

Hurricane recovery routinely runs longer than a general outage because roads, water, and power all take time to return.

One gallon of water per person per day for seven days
Food that needs no cooking, plus a manual can opener
Two weeks of prescriptions and a cooler with frozen jugs for anything refrigerated
Cash in small bills, because card terminals and ATMs fail with the power
Battery lanterns, power banks, and a battery or hand-crank radio

Protect the building

Most avoidable damage comes from water entry and flying objects, not from the wind itself.

Install shutters or precut plywood, and test the fit before a storm is forecast
Clear gutters and drains, and trim branches away from the roof and power lines
Bring in furniture, grills, and anything that can become a projectile
Photograph every room and your roof for insurance, and store the photos in the cloud

The last 72 hours

Work down the list in order. Once the wind picks up, driving and outdoor work are no longer options.

Fill the gas tank and charge every device and power bank
Fill bathtubs and jugs for washing and flushing
Turn the fridge and freezer to their coldest settings
Move documents, drives, and valuables to an upper floor in a waterproof bag
Leave early if an evacuation order is issued for your zone

Common questions

How much water and food should I have for a hurricane?

Plan for seven days: one gallon of water per person per day, plus food that needs no cooking or refrigeration. Hurricane recovery often takes longer than the three days used for general outages.

When should I evacuate for a hurricane?

As soon as an order is issued for your evacuation zone, and earlier if anyone in the household has medical needs or mobility limits. Roads clog quickly and shelters fill.

Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane flooding?

Standard homeowners and renters policies exclude flood damage. Flood coverage is separate and usually has a waiting period, so it has to be bought well before a storm.

See where your household stands

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