Hurricane Readiness

Steps to take before the season

From the guide’s own list. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

• Look up your evacuation zone and route, and choose a place to stay inland or on higher ground.
• Build a kit with water, food, medicines, flashlights, batteries, a radio, chargers, cash and pet supplies.
• Keep copies of IDs, insurance and important papers in a waterproof container or saved online.
• Ask about renters insurance and flood insurance well before the season starts.
• Turn on emergency alerts, and follow your local officials and the National Weather Service.
• Know where the main water shutoff and electrical panel are.
• Share storm damage, leaks or broken windows in writing, with photos, once it is safe.

All done. Your household is ready before the season begins.

When a hurricane is coming

1. Take a breath, and follow your local officials. If you are told to evacuate, leave right away.
2. Bring in outdoor furniture, grills and anything that could blow away, if there is time.
3. Charge phones, fill the car’s gas tank and pack your kit, medicines and pet supplies.
4. If staying is safe and allowed, shelter in an interior room away from windows on a floor above possible flooding.
5. Let family know your plan and where you will be, using texts to keep phone lines clear.
6. After the storm, return only when officials say it is safe, take photos of damage and share it right away. You did exactly the right thing.

Watch versus warning: a hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible. A warning means they are expected. Finish preparations quickly when a warning is issued.

Please be careful with these

• Please don’t wait until the last minute to leave. Roads fill up and conditions change fast.
• Please don’t walk, swim or drive through floodwater after the storm.
• Please don’t run a generator, grill or camp stove indoors, in a garage or near windows.
• Please don’t go outside during the calm of the eye. The other side of the storm can arrive quickly.

Text a simple plan to family before you leave: where you are going and when you expect to arrive. Texts often get through when calls won’t.

Before hurricane season

From the guide’s list for preparing the property. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

• Check the roof, gutters, windows and doors, and plan how windows will be protected.
• Trim trees and remove dead branches near the home, using a qualified tree professional.
• Review insurance with your agent, including wind and flood coverage and any waiting periods.
• Share the building’s storm plan, evacuation information and emergency contacts with residents.
• Know where shutoffs for water, power and gas are, and make sure they are easy to reach.
• Keep contact information for restoration companies, roofers and electricians ready.

All done. The property is ready before storms form.

After the storm passes

• Check on residents first, and keep everyone out of damaged or flooded buildings until they are safe.
• Have a licensed electrician check any wiring or equipment that got wet before power is restored.
• Photograph and document all damage before repairs, and contact insurance promptly.
• Dry wet areas within about 24 to 48 hours where possible, and remove soaked materials to help prevent mold.
• Communicate kindly and often, and keep written notes of what was found, what was done and when.

Review insurance before the season, not when a storm is forming. Flood policies usually have a waiting period of about 30 days.

The biggest hurricane dangers

The National Weather Service notes that storm surge has historically been the leading cause of hurricane deaths, followed by inland flooding from heavy rain. Destructive winds, tornadoes and dangerous surf can also reach far from where the storm makes landfall.

Carbon monoxide from generators used indoors is a leading cause of poisoning after storms. Please keep generators outside, wear gloves and boots during cleanup, and see a doctor about any injury or if anyone feels unwell.

Plan where your pets will go, and pack food, water, medicine, a leash or carrier, and vaccination records. Before the storm, fill clean containers with drinking water in case water service is interrupted.

For more, see National Weather Service: Hurricane Safety and FEMA National Flood Insurance Program: FloodSmart.

Guides that go well with this one

• Home Emergency Kit
• Flood Readiness
• Storms and Power Outages
• Renter's Insurance Basics
• Thunderstorms and Tornadoes