Hurricane Preparedness Checklist 2026

This checklist is written by and for Gulf Coast residents who know hurricanes are not a matter of if but when. We have organized it by timing — what to do before season starts, when a storm enters the Gulf, and in the final 24 hours before landfall.

Before Hurricane Season (May)

Documents and Insurance

• Review your homeowner's insurance policy. Confirm windstorm and flood coverage. Standard homeowner's policies in Louisiana do not cover flood damage — you need separate NFIP or private flood insurance.
• Photograph or video every room in your house, including closets, attic contents, and the exterior. Store copies in cloud storage and on a USB drive in your go bag.
• Scan critical documents: insurance policies, mortgage papers, birth certificates, Social Security cards, prescriptions, vehicle titles. Store digitally and in a waterproof bag.
• Note your insurance company's claims phone number. After a major hurricane, their website may be overwhelmed.

Home Preparation

• Trim dead branches and weak limbs from trees near your house. A single falling branch can punch through a roof.
• Clean gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters during a hurricane cause water to back up under roof shingles.
• Inspect your roof for loose shingles, cracked flashing, or deteriorated sealant around vents. A $200 repair now prevents a $20,000 claim later.
• Know where your main water shutoff and electrical breaker panel are. Label both clearly.
• If you have a generator, service it: change oil, replace spark plug, test run for 30 minutes under load. See our generator guide.
• Stock up on plywood for window boarding (or install permanent storm shutters). Pre-cut and label each piece for its window.

Supplies

• Water: 1 gallon per person per day, minimum 7 days. For a family of 4, that is 28 gallons. Fill your bathtub for non-drinking use (toilet flushing, cleaning).
• Food: 7 days of non-perishable food. Canned goods, peanut butter, crackers, dried fruit, energy bars. Do not forget a manual can opener. See our emergency food kit guide.
• Medications: 14-day supply of all prescription medications. Pharmacies may be closed for weeks post-storm.
• Cash: ATMs and card readers do not work without power. Keep $200–$500 in small bills.
• Fuel: Fill all vehicles before the storm. Fill gas cans for the generator (store safely). Fill propane tanks if applicable.

Emergency Kit (Go Bag)

• NOAA weather radio with fresh batteries (see our radio guide)
• Flashlights and lanterns with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Phone chargers and portable battery pack (fully charged)
• Important documents in waterproof bag
• Change of clothes for each family member
• Pet supplies: food, water, carriers, vaccination records
• Personal hygiene items
• Work gloves and sturdy shoes (for post-storm debris)

When a Storm Enters the Gulf (72–48 Hours Out)

• Monitor the NHC forecast cone. Watch the official National Hurricane Center 5-day track and intensity forecasts at nhc.noaa.gov. Ignore individual model runs on social media — they create noise, not clarity.
• Decide: stay or evacuate. If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone and authorities issue the order, leave. No property is worth your life. Know your zone — Louisiana uses risk zones mapped by parish.
• Top off fuel in all vehicles. Lines form fast once a storm targets the coast.
• Get cash from the ATM.
• Fill prescriptions if they are due within the next 2 weeks.
• Charge everything: phones, laptops, battery packs, power tool batteries, rechargeable lanterns.
• Contact out-of-area family and establish a check-in plan. Choose a single out-of-state contact person as the communication hub.
• Move outdoor furniture, grills, potted plants inside or to a secure storage area. Anything the wind can pick up becomes a projectile.

Final 24 Hours Before Landfall

• Board windows with pre-cut plywood or close storm shutters.
• Fill bathtubs with water (for flushing toilets if water pressure is lost).
• Set refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. A full freezer stays frozen up to 48 hours without power if you keep the door closed.
• Freeze gallon zip-lock bags of water to fill empty freezer space and use as ice later.
• Park vehicles in the garage or away from trees. Face them away from the expected wind direction if parking outside.
• Fill the generator tank and stage it in a covered but ventilated area (not inside the garage). See our safety guide.
• Turn off propane tanks at the valve.
• Move valuables to the highest floor. Flooding kills more people and damages more property than wind in most Gulf Coast hurricanes.
• Locate your safe room: an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows. A bathroom or closet under a stairwell works well.

During the Storm

• Stay indoors, away from windows and exterior doors.
• Monitor your NOAA weather radio for tornado warnings (common in the outer bands).
• Do not go outside during the eye. Dangerous winds return suddenly from the opposite direction.
• If you lose your roof or experience structural failure, shelter under a mattress in the interior room.
• Do not run the generator until the storm passes. Wind-driven rain can damage the unit, and CO is a risk in strong winds that shift exhaust toward the house.

After the Storm

• Stay off roads until authorities give the all-clear. Downed power lines, flooded roadways, and debris are deadly.
• Document damage immediately with photos and video before any cleanup or temporary repairs.
• Avoid floodwater. It contains sewage, chemicals, snakes, and fire ants floating in colonies.
• Run the generator safely — outdoors, 20+ feet from any opening, exhaust pointed away from the house.
• Check on neighbors, especially elderly and those with medical needs.
• File insurance claims early. The first claims filed get adjusted fastest.
• Watch for heat illness. Post-hurricane Louisiana in August without AC is dangerous. Stay hydrated and use battery fans (see our fan guide).
• Manage stress and sleep. The noise and anxiety after a storm make sleep difficult. A portable white noise machine helps your family rest during multi-day outages. If you work from home, plan backup power for your office equipment so you can resume work as soon as it is safe.

Recommended Supplies

• Midland WR400 NOAA Weather Radio — SAME-enabled desktop radio ($35–$45)
• Midland ER310 Emergency Crank Radio — Hand-crank radio with phone charging ($50–$65)
• Champion 3500W Dual-Fuel Generator — Best value portable generator ($400–$500)
• Anker PowerCore 20000mAh Battery Pack — Keep phones charged for days ($35–$45)
• Mountain House Classic Bucket — 14-day emergency food supply ($280–$330)