Hurricane Readiness Checklist

Hurricanes are one of the few disasters you get real warning for — sometimes days. Using that lead time well is what separates a stressful storm from a dangerous one.

Before the storm

• Know your zone. Find out if you’re in an evacuation zone and what your route is. Don’t wait for the warning to look it up.
• Build or refresh your go-bag and stock 3+ days of water and non-perishable food.
• Charge everything — phones, power banks, and any medical devices. Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Protect your home: bring in or secure loose outdoor items, and board or shutter windows if advised.
• Fill prescriptions so you have at least a week’s supply on hand.
• Document your home with a few phone photos for insurance.

During the storm

• If told to evacuate, go early. Roads clog and conditions worsen fast. Leaving late is more dangerous than leaving early.
• If you stay, move to an interior room on the lowest safe floor, away from windows.
• Never go outside during the eye. The calm is temporary — the other side of the storm follows.
• Avoid floodwater. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down; a foot can move a car.
• Stay informed with a battery or hand-crank radio if the power and network drop.

After the storm

• Wait for the all-clear before returning home or venturing out.
• Watch for hazards: downed power lines, gas leaks, and contaminated water. Assume any downed line is live.
• Don’t drink tap water until officials confirm it’s safe.
• Check on neighbors, especially the elderly and anyone with medical needs.
• Photograph any damage before you clean up, for your insurance claim.

The households that come through hurricanes best are rarely the luckiest — they’re the ones who used the warning window to get ready.