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Hurricane Preparedness Checklist 2026

Updated: June 12, 2026 · 18 min read

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Hurricane season waits for no one. — A solid checklist is the difference between panic and confidence when the storm tracks shift your way.

Hurricane preparedness is not something you do the day before landfall. It is a system you build during calm weather and maintain throughout the season. This checklist covers everything: from the supplies you stockpile in May to the decisions you make as a storm approaches, to the recovery steps after it passes. Print this page, check off items as you go, and you will face hurricane season with confidence.

Phase 1: Before Hurricane Season (April - May)

Home Preparation

• Trim dead branches and weak limbs from trees near your house. These become projectiles in high winds.
• Clean gutters and downspouts so water drains properly during heavy rain.
• Inspect your roof for loose shingles, flashing, or damage. Repair before storm season.
• Check garage doors: these are the most vulnerable entry point for wind. Consider a garage door brace kit if you have a double-wide door.
• Know how to shut off gas, water, and electricity at the main connections.
• Take photos/video of your home and possessions for insurance documentation. Store copies in the cloud.

Window and Door Protection

• Measure all windows and doors for plywood or shutter installation.
• Pre-cut 5/8-inch plywood panels for each window. Label them and store in the garage.
• Install permanent shutter hardware (barrel bolts, tracks) so panels go up in minutes, not hours.
• Consider hurricane fabric panels as a lighter alternative to plywood for upper-story windows.
• Do NOT plan to tape windows. Tape does not prevent breakage and makes shards larger and more dangerous.

Insurance Review

• Review your homeowner's insurance policy. Understand your deductible, coverage limits, and what is excluded.
• Verify you have flood insurance if you are in a flood-prone area. Standard homeowner's policies do NOT cover flooding.
• Consider wind/hurricane deductible: in coastal states, this is often a separate, higher deductible (typically 2-5% of home value).
• Document your possessions with photos and receipts. Store in the cloud or a fireproof safe.

Phase 2: Supply Stockpile

Water (Most Critical)

• Store 1 gallon per person per day for at least 7 days.
• Family of 4 = minimum 28 gallons of drinking water.
• Buy a WaterBOB bathtub bladder (65 gallons) to fill before the storm for non-drinking water.
• Keep a LifeStraw water filter in your emergency kit as backup.

Food

• Stock 7+ days of non-perishable food per person: canned goods, peanut butter, crackers, dried fruit, granola bars.
• Manual can opener (do not rely on electric).
• Paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels (you may not have water to wash dishes).
• Cooler and ice for perishables from the refrigerator after power goes out.
• Camp stove with fuel for hot meals (use outdoors only).

Power and Light

• Portable generator: Honda EU2200i or Champion 4500W dual fuel. See our generator guide.
• Fuel: 10-20 gallons of gasoline with stabilizer, or propane tanks for dual-fuel generators.
• Power station: EcoFlow DELTA 2 for indoor-safe silent backup. See our power station guide.
• Flashlights: Streamlight ProTac 2L-X with lithium batteries in every bedroom.
• Lanterns: Streamlight Siege for area lighting.
• Extra batteries: lithium batteries in all required sizes.

Communication

• NOAA weather radio: Midland WR400 programmed with your SAME codes. See our weather radio guide.
• Portable emergency radio: Midland ER310 for evacuation.
• USB battery banks: at least 20,000 mAh for extended phone charging.
• Car phone charger as backup.

First Aid and Medical

• Comprehensive first aid kit: Uncharted Supply first aid.
• Prescription medications: 7-14 day supply, rotated before expiration.
• Over-the-counter medications: pain relievers, antidiarrheals, antihistamines, antacids.
• Insect repellent (mosquitoes explode after hurricanes due to standing water).
• Sunscreen (you will be outdoors during cleanup).

Documents and Cash

• Waterproof bag with copies of: insurance policies, IDs, birth certificates, property deeds, vehicle titles, medical records.
• Cash: $500+ in small bills. ATMs will be down. Many stores will be cash-only.
• USB drive with digital copies of all important documents.

Phase 3: Storm Approaching (48-72 Hours Out)

Monitor the Storm

• Track the storm on the National Hurricane Center website (nhc.noaa.gov).
• Know the difference: a Watch means conditions are possible within 48 hours. A Warning means conditions are expected within 36 hours.
• Check your home weather station if you have one. Monitor barometric pressure trends. A rapid drop signals the storm is approaching.
• Follow local emergency management social media and radio for area-specific guidance.

Make the Evacuation Decision

• If officials order evacuation, GO. Do not wait.
• If you are in a storm surge zone, mobile home, or flood-prone area, evacuate for any hurricane.
• Know your evacuation route and at least two alternatives (primary routes clog quickly).
• Arrange lodging: inland hotel, friend/family, or designated shelter.
• Fill your car's gas tank completely.

Prepare Your Home

• Install plywood panels or shutters on all windows.
• Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, trash cans, and anything that could become a projectile.
• Park vehicles in the garage if possible.
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings (food stays cold longer if power goes out).
• Fill bathtubs and large containers with water for flushing toilets and washing.
• Fill the WaterBOB with drinking water.
• Charge all devices: phones, tablets, laptops, power stations, rechargeable flashlights.
• Do laundry and run the dishwasher (you may not have water or power for days).

Phase 4: During the Storm

• Stay indoors, away from windows and glass doors.
• Shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor (bathroom, closet, hallway).
• Keep your weather radio on with fresh batteries.
• Do NOT go outside during the eye of the storm. Dangerous conditions return suddenly from the opposite direction.
• If flooding starts inside, move to the highest floor. Never go into an attic without a tool to break through the roof (people have drowned trapped in attics).
• Keep shoes on (broken glass and debris are everywhere after a hurricane).
• If you lose power, unplug major appliances to prevent damage from power surges when electricity is restored.

Phase 5: After the Storm

Safety First

• Do not go outside until officials confirm it is safe.
• Watch for downed power lines. Assume all downed lines are live.
• Avoid standing water: it may be electrically charged from downed lines or contaminated with sewage.
• Wear heavy shoes or boots, long pants, and gloves when inspecting damage.
• Take photos and video of all damage before cleaning up (insurance documentation).

Food Safety

• If the power was out more than 4 hours, discard all perishable food in the refrigerator.
• A full freezer keeps food safe for 48 hours (24 hours if half full) if the door stays closed.
• When in doubt, throw it out. Food poisoning during a disaster when hospitals are overwhelmed is dangerous.

Water Safety

• Do not drink tap water until officials confirm it is safe. Boil water notices are common after hurricanes.
• Use stored water or filtered water for drinking and cooking.
• If you must use tap water, boil it for at least 1 minute or use purification tablets.

Recovery

• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to file claims.
• Document everything with photos, video, and written descriptions.
• Register with FEMA for disaster assistance if a federal disaster is declared.
• Be wary of contractor scams. Verify licenses, get written estimates, and never pay full price upfront.
• Check on neighbors, especially elderly and disabled community members.

Essential Products Checklist

Final Thought

The time you spend preparing before hurricane season is an investment in your family's safety and peace of mind. When a Category 3 storm is bearing down and your neighbors are scrambling for supplies at empty stores, you will already be ready. If you work from home, add backup power for your office to the checklist. And consider packing a portable white noise machine in your kit to help your family sleep through the stressful aftermath. Start now, check off items methodically, and review your preparations at the start of every hurricane season.

Related Reading

• Best Storm Shutters and Hurricane Window Protection
• Generator Sizing Guide: How Many Watts Do You Need?
• Gulf Coast Hurricane Season Month-by-Month Guide