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Hurricane preparedness is not a single task — it is a system built before the season starts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that every household in a hurricane-prone area maintain at least a 72-hour emergency supply kit, a written evacuation plan, and a family communication plan. For households in high-risk coastal zones, a 7-day supply is the standard.
The most common mistake people make is waiting until a storm is named to begin preparing. By the time a hurricane watch is issued, store shelves are empty, gas stations have lines stretching for miles, and evacuation routes are congested. Every item on your checklist that is purchased and staged before June 1 is one less thing to scramble for when a storm threatens.
FEMA's standard is one gallon of water per person per day, for a minimum of three days — seven days for extended emergencies. For a family of four, that means 28 gallons minimum. Store water in sealed, food-grade containers away from direct sunlight. Replace commercially bottled water every 12 months. If you fill your own containers, use food-grade containers and add 8 drops of unscented liquid chlorine bleach per gallon to prevent bacterial growth.
A WaterBOB — a large bathtub bladder that holds up to 100 gallons — is one of the most cost-effective emergency water storage solutions available. Fill it when a hurricane watch is issued. Do not wait until the storm is hours away.
Stock non-perishable foods that require no cooking or minimal preparation: canned goods, peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, dried fruit, and shelf-stable milk. A manual can opener is critical — do not rely on electric openers. Plan for approximately 2,000 calories per adult per day. Account for infants, dietary restrictions, and medications that require food.
After a major hurricane, power outages can last 2–4 weeks in the hardest-hit areas. A 7-day supply is the minimum; a 14-day supply is strongly recommended for households in high-risk coastal zones.
Generator safety is one of the leading causes of post-hurricane deaths. Carbon monoxide poisoning from improperly operated generators kills dozens of people after every major storm. Never operate a generator indoors, in a garage, or within 20 feet of any window, door, or vent. Install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home.
For households with power-dependent medical equipment — oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines, dialysis equipment — contact your medical equipment supplier and your power utility before the season to understand emergency protocols. Register with your county's Special Needs Registry if you require power for life-sustaining equipment.
Know your evacuation zone before a storm threatens. Coastal counties use lettered or numbered zones (Zone A or Zone 1 is the highest risk and evacuates first). Your zone is determined by storm surge risk, not flood zone. You can find your evacuation zone on your county emergency management website or by entering your address in our Storm Surge Lookup tool.
Plan two evacuation routes and identify your destination — a hotel, a friend or family member's home, or a public shelter — at least 200 miles from the coast. Book hotels in advance during peak season (August–October). Pet-friendly options fill up quickly.
Keep your vehicle's gas tank at least half full from June through November. Fuel shortages develop rapidly once a hurricane watch is issued. Have cash on hand — ATMs and card readers fail during power outages.
Store copies of critical documents in a waterproof bag or portable safe: insurance policies (home, flood, auto), identification (passports, driver's licenses, birth certificates), financial records (bank account numbers, mortgage documents), and medical records (prescriptions, vaccination records). Upload digital copies to secure cloud storage.
Review your insurance coverage before the season. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage — that requires a separate National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy or private flood insurance. NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period; you cannot purchase flood insurance after a storm is named. Learn more in our Hurricane Insurance Guide.
Storm surge — the abnormal rise of ocean water pushed ashore by a hurricane's winds — is responsible for approximately half of all hurricane-related deaths in the United States. A Category 4 hurricane can push 13 to 18 feet of water inland. This water arrives as a wall, not a gradual rise, and it can travel miles inland from the coast.
If you are in a storm surge evacuation zone and a hurricane threatens, leave. No possession is worth your life. Check your specific address risk using our Storm Surge Lookup, and sign up for free storm alerts to receive advance warning before conditions deteriorate.
FEMA recommends one gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of three days — seven days for extended emergencies. For a family of four, that is 28 gallons minimum. Store in sealed, food-grade containers away from direct sunlight.
Begin preparations in April or May — before the June 1 start of hurricane season. Waiting until a storm is named means competing with millions of other people for the same supplies. Pre-season preparation is faster, cheaper, and less stressful.
A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within 48 hours. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. When a warning is issued for your area, complete your preparations immediately and be ready to evacuate if ordered.
Yes. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage from storm surge or rising water. Flood insurance must be purchased separately through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period — you cannot buy coverage after a storm is named.
Your evacuation zone is determined by storm surge risk and is assigned by your county emergency management office. Visit your county's emergency management website, call 2-1-1, or use our Storm Surge Lookup tool to find your zone by address. Zone A (or Zone 1) is the highest risk and evacuates first.
A hurricane go-bag should contain: water (one gallon per person per day for three days), non-perishable food, medications (30-day supply), copies of important documents, cash, phone charger and power bank, flashlight and batteries, first aid kit, change of clothes, and any special items for infants, elderly family members, or pets.