Hurricane Safety Checklist - Essential Storm-Prep Tips

Secure your garage doors and assemble a 72-hour prep kit today. Stock 1 gallon of water per person per day, enough nonperishable meals, a battery-operated radio, a flashlight with extra batteries, and a basic first-aid kit along with copies of important documents.

Within your plan, involve your household and, if possible, your neighborhood, to confirm who handles supplies, who drives, and how to stay in contact. Take only what you need; nothing extra, without carrying unnecessary items.

Within your plan, move valuables to higher shelves and bring inside outdoor furniture, grills, and trash cans. Secure loose items in the garage to prevent them from becoming projectiles; watch for items that could blow down in gusts, and consider trimming branches that overhang the house.

Know whether you will shelter in place or evacuate, and map the route. Keep devices charged and set a simple plan to share status with others quickly. If power is out, rely on a battery-operated radio and keep spare batteries within reach.

After the storm, stay clear of lines that are down, check for gas odors, and inspect your roof and walls from inside before stepping out. Reach out to neighbors and other household members to coordinate cleanup and safety actions.

Hurricane Safety Guide

Store at least three days of foods and water, plus a basic first-aid kit, in a dry, accessible space away from windows. Keep stored supplies organized and rotate items; replace expired foods and medicines, and ensure you can grab what you need within minutes. There is much to plan, so prepare a quick grab list for them. That way, family members can grab them quickly when the forecast grows intense.

Learn them now by reviewing a simple shelter plan: designate a central interior space with strong walls and no exterior windows, and stock it with several items to cover staying through the storm. During a hurricane, rely on trusted sources like the national weather service for updates and follow the forecast closely. If power fails, rely on hand fans and battery backups to stay comfortable. Follow the specified steps so everyone knows what to do.

Leave early if authorities issue an evacuation order. Pack emergency bags with clothing, medicines, chargers, copies of vital documents, and a few non-perishable foods. Keep these bags ready so you can move quickly without searching.

After the storm, inspect your home at dawn, check for gas leaks, downed wires, and water damage. Toss any foods that began to spoil; sanitize surfaces and wash hands before handling items. Review your supplies and restock as needed, then update the plan for staying prepared for the next storm.

Hurricane Safety Checklist: Storm-Prep Tips - Make a Plan

Move to shelter now if a warning is issued. Follow the following steps to stay prepared and calm when the weather turns rough.

Listen to weather reports on your cell or wireless devices, and share alerts with anyone in your household. Choose a shelter room and practice moving there quickly so children know what to do.

Pack a portable kit with supplies for at least 72 hours: water, non-perishable foods, a battery bank, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, and a crank radio if you have one.

Keep medications and baby formula, little comforts, and important documents in a labeled tote you can grab easily. Store them in a reachable spot near the shelter area.

Protect perishables by keeping the refrigerator door closed and moving items to a cooler with ice during a long outage.

Know your evacuation or stay-put plan along safe routes away from downed lines and flooded zones.

Prepare for communication: charge phones ahead, carry a portable charger, and keep a wireless radio handy in case cell service drops.

Cyclones can bring power outages and debris; secure outdoor items, trim branches, and move valuables indoors before winds rise.

Create a knowing map of who to contact and where to meet if family members are split; designate a primary out-of-area contact to relay updates when local networks fail.

After impact, listen for official guidance, avoid downed power lines, and stay indoors until authorities announce it is safe to move.

Create a Family Evacuation Plan with Routes and Meeting Points

Draft your hurricane evacuation plan now and practice the routes with your family this week to build muscle memory before danger rises.

Draw two routes: a primary path and a reliable secondary path if streets flood or block. Mark lines on a simple map, then protect the page with a plastic sleeve or laminate. Choose meeting points that are at least a few blocks away and away from known risks like power lines and gas valves.

Assign a head for the plan and designate personal duties. Each adult carries a small go-bag with essentials: a flashlight, a battery pack, a few days of clothes, basic medicines (drugs) and copies of important contacts to protect your family. Keep a cool head during the evacuation and know where the route leads. Include a couple of compact fans to stay comfortable if power is out.

Involve every member, including kids and pets, in simple, safe steps. Use a few plan models to run brief drills, and set watches or phone alarms to start prep at the same time each month. Store essentials in a cool, clean space, and record any personal medications to grab, even if a pet needs care or a special supply. If someone uses medical equipment, add extra power banks and backups.

Know what might happen after the hurricane and plan for the aftermath. Post-evacuation, ensure you can reconnect; keep lines of communication open with a family text thread and a designated leader who shares updates. Always revisit the plan after every storm season so it stays ready and accurate, and make sure each member is sure of their role during an evacuation.

Knowing the plan helps through the months ahead and keeps everyday routines from breaking down. Revisit contact numbers, routes, and meeting points after each storm season so the plan stays ready. Ensure everyone knows where to head if separated and keeping little ones informed helps, as does knowing what to do in an emergency.

Assemble a 72-Hour Disaster Kit with Food, Water, Meds, and Tools

Keep two ready-to-go packs by the door: one for staying at home, one for evacuation to shelters or a center. Label each with dates and rotate the contents every six months.

Water supports survival if utilities fail. Store at least 3 gallons per person for 72 hours in BPA-free jugs or a small water tank. Add a water purification option, such as tablets or a portable purifier, and plan to refresh supplies every six months. Include a clean towel, a washcloth, and a small bottle of hand sanitizer for hygiene when taps aren’t available.

Food should stay fresh without refrigeration. Choose non-perishables that offer calories and variety: canned beans, tuna, chicken, vegetables, peanut butter, granola bars, dried fruit, crackers, shelf-stable milk, and a compact can opener. Aim for 2,000–2,400 calories per adult per day, with kid-friendly snacks like fruit cups or crackers. Pack bags that are easy to carry and label meals by day to speed access ahead of a storm.

Meds and first-aid needs require a clear setup. Keep a 3‑day supply of prescription meds, plus OTC pain relievers, antihistamines, cold meds, and basic first-aid items. Include an extra thermometer, adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, and a medical info card with allergies and doctor contacts. All items should stay in a waterproof bag or inside a dedicated kit pouch.

Tools and safety gear form the core of your kit. Include a flashlight with spare batteries, a compact multi-tool, duct tape, whistle, and a small hand crank or battery-powered radio. Pack a pair of gloves, a compact tarpaulin, and plastic sheeting for makeshift weather protection. Have a few sheets of plywood labeled for quick window coverage if needed, plus a few works gloves and painter’s tape for quick fixes. Store these in separate bags inside a larger backpack to keep lines of access simple during a rush.

Clothing and shelter items keep you warm and dry. Include a lightweight, quick-drying change of clothes per person, a compact emergency blanket or space blanket, and rain ponchos. Add a compact or foldable shelter tarp and a few trash bags for weather protection and waste containment. Ensure outfits are appropriate for the season and fit in the packs without overloading them.

Documents and valuables stay protected. Place copies of IDs, medical cards, insurance papers, and a small amount of cash in a waterproof case. Keep the case in the same bag as other critical items so you can grab everything in one motion without rummaging through multiple spots. Write the kit contents on the outside of the bag with a permanent marker for quick checks.

Entertainment and calm for staying power. Include a few lightweight games, cards, a deck of kids’ activity sheets, and a low-power charger or power bank for devices you rely on. These items help maintain morale while you wait out winds or stay in shelters, and they fit neatly inside your bags.

Secure Your Home Against Storm Damage: Doors, Windows, and Loose Items

Reinforce entry doors with hurricane-rated hardware and install impact-resistant windows or shutters to prevent damaging breaches during extreme winds. Verify door frames are solidly anchored to studs; replace any rotted wood and install long screws through hinges and strikes. This approach keeps your structure intact for years ahead.

Consider covering openings with plywood or pre-installed shutters. For the coming hurricanes, cut boards to exact window sizes and secure with corrosion-resistant screws into framing or masonry anchors. For sliding doors, add locking bars or dowel pins to resist movement.

Move outdoor items away from the house or indoors. Bring grills, planters, patio furniture, and games inside or lash them to a sturdy anchor. Clear a path for emergencies and store hoses and other loose items in shelters or a shed so they can't become projectiles during the storm.

Prepare a three-day kit and designate a shelter area inside the home. Keep wipes near sinks for quick cleanup after leaks, and have a plan to power devices during an outage. Believe that steady preparation reduces stress when the first rain hits.

First, secure doors, then protect windows. During a watch, stay inside the interior room, monitor the weather, and follow shelter guidance from authorities. If you lose power, minimize heat loss by closing doors to unoccupied spaces and using battery-powered devices for updates.

Review this checklist now and tailor it to your house. Include this guide in your prep routine. Believe that careful preparation pays off when the first drops fall. If you’ve done these steps for years, you’ll notice fewer damages and a safer interior when the storm comes.

Plan for Power Outages: Generator Safety, Backups, and Lighting

Get outdoors with a well-built generator placed at least 20 feet from any doors or windows, and never run it inside a home, garage, or enclosed porch.

• Safe, reliable generator use
  • Placement and ventilation: Run only outdoors on a dry, level surface; shield from direct rain and winds; keep exhaust away from living areas.
  • CO safety: Install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors on every living level and test them monthly.
  • Fuel and maintenance: Store 5–7 gallons of fresh fuel in approved containers with stabilizer; rotate stocks every 6 months; never store fuel indoors near living spaces.
  • Electrical protection: Use a transfer switch installed by a licensed professional; never backfeed through a wall outlet; use surge protection on essential circuits.
  • Safety gear: Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and wear gloves when handling fuel.
  • Wind readiness: Secure cables, avoid using the generator during high winds; if winds are severe, shut down and cover the unit to prevent rain ingress.
• Backups and communication
  • Power banks and backups: Stock at least 2 full-charged USB-C power banks (10,000–20,000 mAh) per person; have a solar charger as a backup for dry weather.
  • Battery-operated radio: Keep a battery-operated radio to receive alerts and terms from authorities.
  • Docs and plans: Store passports and copies of IDs in a safehost; keep medication lists and contact numbers ready in a waterproof pouch; maintain a simple 72-hour plan and share it with a trusted neighbor.
  • Device care: Use surge protectors for electronics; stagger charging to reduce surge risk; replace worn adapters or cables.
• Lighting, food, and hygiene
  • Lighting: Keep 3–5 battery-operated LED flashlights per floor, 2–4 portable lanterns, and spare batteries; include headlamps for hands-free use.
  • Food safety: Maintain a 2–3 day supply of non-perishable items; use a cooler with ice for perishables; minimize opening the fridge to preserve cold; replace expired items when power returns.
  • Medication and hygiene: Maintain a 3–7 day supply of medications where possible; store meds in a dry, cool place; stock hygiene items, soap, and towels for cleanup.
  • Water and sanitation: Have 1–2 gallons of water per person per day reserved, plus extra for sanitation; ensure you have a plan for waste disposal if plumbing is affected.
  • Shelters and homecoming: If you evacuate, know shelter locations; when winds subside, plan coming home and follow official routes to safety.

Protect Important Documents and Digital Data: Storage, Backups, and Access

Pack two durable, waterproof bags containing passports, birth certificates, and other key papers; back up digital files on an encrypted external drive (safehost) and keep offline copies for outage scenarios. Do this immediately so you can access records during power outages or a downed network. If you need quick access, the offline copies should be easy to retrieve without booting a computer.

Store the physical documents in a fireproof lockbox or weatherproof container, on a dry, elevated shelf away from gutters and windows with shutters, and place the container where it can withstand the force of a hurricane. Keep furniture away from the storage spot to avoid crowding and protect against accidental impact. Attach a simple index to each bag for fast identification and include an inclusion plan that lists who knows the location and how to access the data; specify exactly who has permission. If space allows, place a duplicate stash in erie and another in the garage for faster emergency reach.

• Physical storage details: Use two bags per item (one inside the safe, one in a secondary bag), seal tightly, and keep everything off the ground in a high, dry spot. Include instructions for anyone who might need to retrieve them, ensure the route avoids washing areas during storms, and wear gloves when handling originals to minimize wear.
• Digital data backups: Create an offline copy on safehost, plus an encrypted USB backup; sync a separate cloud copy with offline access and test restore every six months. Ensure your cell phone or tablet holds a minimal, encrypted version of essential records for access if power is out and devices remain reachable.
• Access and inclusion: Draft terms that specify who can retrieve items; share the plan with trusted family members and emergency contacts; store the written inclusion in a secure, known location and provide copies to readygov guidance where applicable. Include notes so others know when to act and how to contact you.
• Emergency handling: During a hurricane or power loss, grab the bags and safehost backups first; protect items from washing or rain and keep them away from downed power lines and other hazards. Make sure those who need to know can reach you quickly.
• Maintenance: Regularly check for moisture, broken hardware, or expired documents; replace desiccants, verify encryption keys, and rehearse the retrieval process so everyone knows what to do. If a drive is broken, swap it promptly and re-test the restore. Note the placement of furniture to keep access clear during an evacuation.