The Ultimate Guide to Prepare for a Hurricane (or Any Large Storm)

Aug 5, 2024

The steps you take before, during, and after a hurricane can make all the difference. Our comprehensive guide not only covers the basics in great detail but also provides some lesser-known tips that can have a significant impact on your safety and peace of mind when the storm arrives.

Here are the steps and associated checklists for before, during, and after a storm hits. Click the “+” button to expand for details. 

Before a Hurricane: What to do well in advance of a storm (right now)

Compile your these contacts for easy access.
  • Emergency contacts: Internet service can be spotty after a storm, so along with your emergency friends and family contacts, look up and add these local emergency service phone numbers to your phone for non-life threatening events:
    • Your city’s contact number
    • Evacuation assistance
    • Coast guard
    • Local fire department
    • Your county’s emergency and non-emergency line
  • Insurance contacts
    • Save your insurance team’s contact information. If your insurance company offers a mobile app or online portal, be sure to register and log in so you have quick access to information and resources, should you need them after the storm.

 

Identify and save evacuation destinations for quick arrangements.
  • Identify destinations:
    • Whether it’s with friends, family, or at a hotel, identify acceptable destinations within the city you plan to evacuate to ensure you have the accommodations you need (such as allowing pets, sleeping arrangement, access to a full kitchen to store food, etc.).
  • Save the details:
    • Save the addresses of your potential locations on your phone’s map app, such as Google Maps or Apple Maps.
    • Save any potential hotel contact numbers as a contact number as a contact in your phone under “Evacuation: Hotel Name.” This way, when evacuation time arrives, you can quickly make arrangements when demand may be high and locations become booked.
Take these simple steps to stay alert.
  • Update your phone settings to alert you with emergency weather updates
  • Download your local news or weather apps and identify trusted weather resources
Stock and preserve all emergency supplies.
  • Food and Water
    • A good rule of thumb: prepare supplies for 5-7 days
    • One gallon of water per person in your household, per day
    • Non-perishable food supply for each person.
    • Pet food and supplies
  • Medical:
    • Refill your prescriptions
    • First aid supplies
    • Sanitation items: Sanitation wipes, feminine products
  • Basic tool-kit:
    • Multi-tool product
    • Flashlight
    • Lighter
    • Whistle
    • Battery operated carbon monoxide detector
    • Batteries
    • Power banks
    • Charging cables
    • Solar chargers
  • Personal items: Locate and secure any physical documents and store it digitally through pictures or scanning and saving to a USB
    • State IDs, social security cards, passport, birth certificates
    • Credit cards and/or emergency cash
    • Insurance policies
    • Financial records
    • Medical records
  • Other preparation items
    • Supplies to protect your home such as plywood, sandbags, weather stripping, caulk, surge protectors, coolers
    • Fuel for vehicles and generators
Review and understand your insurance coverage.
  • Home Insurance and Windstorm Insurance:
    • Depending on your location, you may have a home insurance policy or a home and separate wind insurance policy. Review these policies to ensure you are confident in the coverage you have in place.
  • Flood Insurance:
    • Flood damage, or damage to your home and/or property from rising water, is covered under a flood insurance policy, not a home insurance policy. Flooding often accompanies hurricanes, so be sure to secure or review the coverage under this policy as well.
  • Considerations when Making Coverage Changes Mid-Policy Period:
    • Any changes you decide to make to your home, wind, or flood insurance coverage prior to your renewal date could have a “waiting period.” The time frame is typically around 30 days and is most commonly seen with a flood insurance policy.
    • If a storm has already formed and is being tracked by news outlets, you may not have an opportunity to change coverage until after that storm passes.
    • Bottom line: If you are not satisfied with your coverage, make the change as soon as possible to ensure your new coverage is in effect before the next storm.
  • Create a home inventory video:
    • Take a video tour of your home, showcasing everything from your floors, walls, cabinets, furniture, to your electronics, shoes, clothes, and other belongings. Be sure to capture the condition, any receipts for big items, or narrating the value of the items as much as you can. This can be valuable during insurance claims.

Before a Hurricane: What to do a few days to immediately before the storm

Prepare your outdoor belongings before a storm.
  • Install storm shutters or plywood on windows and glass doors.
  • Clean your gutters.
  • Trim your trees and shrubs.
  • Seal any cracks or gaps around your windows, doors, or siding.
  • Secure outdoor items or bring them indoors.
  • Fuel your vehicles and generators
  • Bring your vehicles in the garage if possible.
Prepare your indoor belongings before a storm.
  • If flooding seems likely, minimize potential damage by elevating as many of your belongings as possible.
  • Ensure surge protectors are being used for electronics you want to protect. Note that you can alternatively install a whole-house surge protector as well.
  • Charge your phone and other devices
  • Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings. Use a cooler for essential refrigerated items to reduce the need to open the refrigerator during a power outage and keep the food colder for longer
  • Fill up a bathtub or buckets of water to prepare if there is loss of running water

During a Hurricane: How To Stay Safe

Stay updated on the storm.
  • With the emergency alerts on your device, local news, local weather radio, or with your weather-related mobile apps you downloaded before the storm
If you are staying home...
  • Stay indoors and away from windows
  • Keep your emergency supplies close by
  • If flooding occurs, shut off the electric breaker
  • Do not use a generator inside your home
If you are evacuating...
  • Turn off your utilities such as gas, electricity, and water before you leave
  • Bring your emergency supplies you prepared before the storm
  • Follow official instructions and designated routes
  • Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters
  • Await official clearance to return

After a Hurricane: Steps Toward Recovery

Ensure your safety right after the storm.
  • Wait for an official clearance before leaving your safe area
  • Avoid and report downed power lines to the non-emergency numbers you saved before the storm
  • If you smell gas, open the windows, leave the area and notify authorities using one of the non-emergency numbers you saved before the storm
  • Watch for wildlife such as snakes, alligators and other animals as they may be displaced from the storm as well
  • Avoid flooded areas
Assess and document any damage.
  • Where possible, inspect your property for structural damage, broken windows, leaks, or roof damage. To further explore the roof damage, contact a roofer to inspect.
  • Photograph and document all damage prior to making repair in the event you make an insurance claim.
Clean up and start repairs.
  • Take reasonable steps, such as making temporary repairs, to prevent further damage
  • If water entered the home, inspect your home thoroughly for mold and use a mixture of bleach and water to clean any areas where you identify mold. You can also set bowls of baking soda in the affected rooms to help absorb moisture and reduce odor.
  • When making repairs and cleaning up, use protective gear like gloves, masks, and sturdy shoes
  • Watch for hazards like sharp objects, unstable structures, and contaminated water
Contact your insurance company and community resources.
  • Using the insurance contact information you stored before the storm, contact your insurance company to file a claim if needed. You may have access to an agent (like Stewart Insurance) or a claim assistance contact to help you decide whether or not to make a claim.
  • You can also access disaster relief programs like FEMA, Red Cross, or local agencies that can help with temporary housing, food, and medical needs, if necessary.