What to have ready before hurricane season

Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. In the Eastern Pacific, the season begins May 15. Those dates come from Ready.gov. Storms can affect people well inland, not only along the coast. Historically, storm surge has been the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States, so anyone who lives in a surge or evacuation zone should treat official leave orders as a first priority.

Learn your risk and your zone

Find out whether your home sits in an evacuation zone, and learn the routes you would use. Decide where you would go, including a plan for pets. Practice that plan with the household. If local officials tell you to evacuate, go. Ready.gov notes that local emergency managers work with state and other partners and will issue the instructions that fit the threat to your community.

Make a simple household plan

Make sure everyone knows how you will get alerts, where you will meet, and who might need extra help. Identify several ways to receive warnings. The Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts do not require a sign-up. Ready.gov also points to community alert programs and to the FEMA app for National Weather Service alerts for up to five locations.

Gather supplies for several days

After a hurricane, stores, pharmacies, and gas stations may be closed for days. Ready.gov’s kit guidance starts with these basics:

• Water: one gallon per person per day, for several days, for drinking and sanitation.
• A several-day supply of non-perishable food, plus a manual can opener.
• A flashlight, extra batteries, and a first aid kit.
• A battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert if you have one.
• Prescription medicines and any supplies a child, pet, or family member uniquely needs.
• A cell phone charger or backup battery.
• Copies of important documents (insurance, identification, and similar records) in a waterproof container or a secure digital copy.
• Cash, since card readers may not work during an outage.

Store the kit where the household can find it quickly. Replace expired items as needed, and look the kit over once a year as your family’s needs change.

Get the house ready

Clear gutters and drains, bring in loose outdoor furniture, and consider shutters or other window protection. Keep insurance papers and identification up to date. Once a storm is in the forecast, charge phones, set out backup chargers, and be ready to follow local instructions. If you own a generator, review the manufacturer’s instructions now, and read the carbon monoxide rules on our first 24 hours page before you ever start it.

During the storm

Stay informed. If you are not evacuating, take refuge in a designated storm shelter or an interior room for high winds. If you are trapped by flooding, go to the highest level of the building, and do not climb into a closed attic, where rising water could trap you. Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood water. Ready.gov warns that six inches of fast-moving water can knock a person down, and one foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.

After the storm

Listen to local officials. Stay out of flood water, which can hide debris, waste, and downed lines. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe, shut off electricity at the main breaker to prevent shock. Save voice calls for emergencies when phone systems are busy, and use texts when you can. Photograph damage for your insurer.