Guides

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist 2026

June 7, 2026 · 19 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.

Living on the Gulf Coast or Atlantic seaboard means hurricane season is a fact of life from June through November. The difference between a manageable experience and a devastating one often comes down to preparation done weeks or months before the first tropical wave appears on radar. This checklist covers everything from supplies and home hardening to evacuation planning and post-storm recovery, distilled from decades of collective experience surviving storms from Katrina to Ian.

Phase 1: Before Hurricane Season (May)

Review Your Insurance

• Verify your homeowner's policy covers wind damage and confirm the hurricane deductible (usually 2-5% of home value)
• Obtain or review flood insurance through the NFIP or private carrier (30-day waiting period for new policies)
• Photograph or video every room, closet, and valuable item for claims documentation
• Store insurance documents, photos, and policy numbers in waterproof bags and in cloud storage
• Know the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value coverage

Home Hardening

• Inspect roof for loose shingles, damaged flashing, or gaps around vents
• Install or test storm shutters; pre-cut 5/8-inch plywood panels for windows without shutters, secured with barrel bolts or masonry anchors (the most effective DIY option)
• 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
• Reinforce garage door (weakest structural point in most homes during hurricanes); a garage door brace kit helps for double-wide doors
• Trim dead branches and remove leaning trees near the house
• Clear gutters and downspouts to prevent water backup
• Check sump pump operation and consider a battery backup sump pump
• Seal gaps around doors and windows with silicone caulk

Emergency Power

• Service your portable generator: change oil, replace spark plug, test under load
• Store at least 10 gallons of fresh gasoline with fuel stabilizer, or stock propane tanks for dual-fuel generators
• Charge your portable power station and all battery packs. If you work from home, see the WorkSpace guide on protecting your office electronics during outages
• Install battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors if using a generator
• Test all flashlights and replace batteries

Phase 2: Water and Food Supply

Water

• Store one gallon per person per day for a minimum of seven days
• Include water for pets (dogs need roughly 1 oz per pound of body weight daily)
• Keep a water purification system as backup (filter, purification tablets, or UV purifier); a LifeStraw water filter (~$18) is a compact go-bag option
• Fill bathtub with water before the storm for toilet flushing and general use (a WaterBOB keeps it clean)
• Freeze gallon jugs of water: they keep the freezer cold longer during outages and provide drinking water as they melt

Food

• Stock at least seven days of non-perishable food requiring no cooking or refrigeration
• Good options: canned meats, peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, dried fruit, nuts, canned vegetables
• Include a manual can opener (the one tool everyone forgets)
• Consider a complete emergency food kit for convenient, long-shelf-life meals
• Stock instant coffee, tea, or other comfort beverages to maintain morale during extended outages. For tips on sleeping comfortably during storms, visit RestWell
• Baby formula, special dietary needs, and pet food if applicable
• Paper plates, plastic utensils, and paper towels (you may not have water to wash dishes)
• Cooler and ice for perishables pulled from the refrigerator after the power goes out
• Camp stove with fuel for hot meals (use outdoors only)

Phase 3: Emergency Kit Essentials

Medical and Health

• Two-week supply of all prescription medications
• Well-stocked first aid kit with trauma supplies
• Copies of prescriptions and medical records in waterproof bag
• Mosquito repellent (critical: standing water after hurricanes breeds enormous mosquito populations)
• Sunscreen (you will be outdoors more than usual during cleanup)
• Hand sanitizer and sanitation wipes

Communication and Information

• NOAA weather radio with SAME alerts programmed for your county
• Portable phone chargers and solar chargers
• Emergency communication device (satellite messenger) if cell towers may be down for extended periods
• Written list of emergency contacts (do not rely solely on your phone's contact list)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio as backup

Documents and Cash

• Copies of IDs, insurance policies, mortgage documents, and vehicle titles in a waterproof bag
• At least $500 in small bills (ATMs and card readers will not work without power)
• USB drive or cloud backup of important digital documents
• Recent family photos for identification purposes if separated

Phase 4: Evacuation Planning

Know Your Zone

• Identify your evacuation zone (check your county's emergency management website)
• Plan at least two evacuation routes; primary routes may flood or be jammed
• Identify destinations: family, friends, or shelters at least 100 miles inland
• If heading to a shelter, call ahead to confirm pet policy
• Keep your vehicle's gas tank at least half full during hurricane season

If You Evacuate

• Leave early. Waiting until mandatory evacuation creates dangerous traffic and fuel shortages
• Take your emergency kit, documents, medications, and a change of clothes
• Turn off utilities at main breakers if flooding is expected
• Unplug all electronics
• Move valuable items from ground floor to upper floors
• Lock all doors and install storm shutters before leaving
• Take photos of your home's condition before leaving for insurance documentation

Pet Safety

• Never leave pets behind during evacuation
• Pack pet food, water, medications, leash, carrier, and comfort items
• Ensure pets have current ID tags and microchips with updated contact information
• Identify pet-friendly shelters or hotels along your evacuation route
• Keep a recent photo of your pet in case of separation

Phase 5: When a Storm Is Approaching (48-72 Hours Out)

• Monitor your weather radio and local news continuously. Track the official National Hurricane Center forecast cone at nhc.noaa.gov; ignore individual model runs on social media
• Know the difference: a Watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours; a Warning means they are expected within 36 hours
• If you have a home weather station, watch barometric pressure trends. A rapid drop signals the storm is approaching
• Fill all vehicles with gas
• Fill prescriptions
• Withdraw cash
• Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, trash cans, and anything that becomes a projectile in high winds
• Install storm shutters or board windows
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings
• Freeze water in zip-lock bags to fill empty freezer space (a full freezer holds cold 48 hours vs. 24 hours for a half-full one)
• Charge every device and battery pack you own
• Do laundry while you still have power and water
• Fill bathtub with water for sanitation
• Locate your main water shutoff valve and electrical panel

Phase 6: During the Storm

• Stay indoors and away from windows, skylights, and glass doors
• Move to an interior room on the lowest floor (bathroom or closet without exterior walls)
• If you hear a roaring sound like a freight train, take cover immediately (tornado or extreme winds)
• Do not go outside during the eye of the storm; the calm is temporary and winds will return from the opposite direction
• Monitor weather radio for updates and tornado warnings
• Wear shoes at all times in case of broken glass or debris
• If flooding begins, move to higher ground immediately; do not wait. Never enter an attic without a tool to break through the roof (people have drowned trapped in attics)
• If you lose your roof or experience structural failure, shelter under a mattress in the interior room
• If you lose power, unplug major appliances to prevent damage from power surges when electricity is restored
• Never use candles; use flashlights and battery-powered lanterns only

Phase 7: Post-Storm Recovery

Immediate Safety

• Do not return home until authorities declare it safe
• Watch for downed power lines, standing water, and structural damage
• Photograph all damage before cleanup for insurance claims
• Do not wade through floodwater. It can be electrically charged from downed lines and contains sewage, chemicals, snakes, and fire ants floating in colonies
• Discard any food that has been above 40 degrees F for more than 2 hours; if power was out more than 4 hours, throw out all refrigerated perishables. When in doubt, throw it out
• Do not drink tap water until officials lift the boil-water notice. If you must use tap water, boil it for at least 1 minute or use purification tablets
• Run the generator outdoors only, at least 20 feet from any opening
• Check on neighbors, especially the elderly and those with medical needs
• Watch for heat illness. A Gulf Coast summer without AC is dangerous; stay hydrated and use battery-powered fans

Insurance Claims

• Contact your insurance company within 24 hours
• Document everything with photos and written descriptions
• Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage (save receipts)
• Keep a detailed log of all conversations with your insurer
• Do not throw away damaged items until the adjuster has seen them or you have photographed them thoroughly
• 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

Printable Supply Checklist Summary

Keep this near your emergency supplies and check off items as you stock them:

• Water: 1 gallon per person per day, 7-day supply
• Food: 7 days of non-perishable items plus manual can opener
• Medications: 14-day supply of all prescriptions
• First aid kit with trauma supplies
• NOAA weather radio with extra batteries
• Flashlights and lanterns with extra batteries
• Portable phone chargers (charged)
• Cash: $500 in small bills
• Important documents in waterproof bag
• Generator serviced with fuel supply
• Carbon monoxide detectors (battery-powered)
• Tarps, rope, duct tape for emergency repairs
• Work gloves and sturdy shoes for cleanup
• Mosquito repellent and sunscreen
• Pet supplies if applicable

Hurricane preparedness is not something you do once. It is a system you maintain year-round and activate when a storm threatens. Start now, before the shelves are empty and the lines are long. For more guidance on specific gear, see our guides on portable generators, weather radios, and emergency food kits.

Essential Products Checklist with Prices

Field-tested gear by category, with current price ranges. Buy before season starts — prices spike and stock vanishes once a storm has a name.

Additional Field-Tested Tips

Window Protection Specs

• Use 5/8-inch plywood cut to fit each window, secured with barrel bolts or masonry anchors — the most effective DIY option. Pre-cut and label each panel for its window so installation takes minutes.
• Do NOT tape windows. Tape does nothing to prevent breakage and creates larger, more dangerous glass shards.
• A $200 roof repair before the storm can prevent a $20,000 claim later — inspect shingles, flashing, and vent sealant in May.

Tracking and Decisions

• Watch the official National Hurricane Center 5-day forecast cone at nhc.noaa.gov. Ignore individual model runs on social media — they create noise, not clarity.
• Know the difference: a Watch means conditions are possible within 48 hours; a Warning means conditions are expected within 36 hours.
• Monitor barometric pressure if you have a home weather station. A rapid drop signals the storm is approaching.
• Choose a single out-of-state contact person as your family's communication hub before the storm.

During and After

• If you lose your roof or experience structural failure, shelter under a mattress in your interior safe room.
• Never enter an attic to escape rising water without a tool to break through the roof — people have drowned trapped in attics.
• When power goes out, unplug major appliances to prevent surge damage when electricity is restored.
• Avoid floodwater: it carries sewage, chemicals, and floating colonies of snakes and fire ants, and may be electrically charged from downed lines.
• Boil-water notices are common after hurricanes. Boil tap water at least 1 minute or use purification tablets until officials confirm it is safe.
• Watch for post-storm heat illness — Gulf Coast summers without AC are dangerous. Stay hydrated and use battery-powered fans.
• Register with FEMA for disaster assistance if a federal disaster is declared, and beware contractor scams: verify licenses, get written estimates, and never pay in full upfront.

Related Reading

• Best Portable Generators for Hurricane Season 2026
• Best First Aid Kits for Storm Emergency Preparedness
• Home Tornado Shelter Guide: Types, Costs, and Installation