- Before the Storm: Building a Comprehensive Hurricane Kit
- Home Prep: Securing Windows, Roof, Doors, and Outdoor Items
- During Strong Winds: Personal Safety and Evacuation Readiness
- Post-Storm Recovery: Reestablishing Essentials and Documentation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Hurricane Preparedness Involves Planning, Protection, and Power
Hurricane Preparedness Checklist: Essential Steps to Stay Safe
- Before the Storm: Building a Comprehensive Hurricane Kit
- Home Prep: Securing Windows, Roof, Doors, and Outdoor Items
- During Strong Winds: Personal Safety and Evacuation Readiness
- Post-Storm Recovery: Reestablishing Essentials and Documentation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Hurricane Preparedness Involves Planning, Protection, and Power
Hurricane season causes havoc every year, whether you’re ready or not. Preparation is often what separates those who are destroyed by these storms from those who experience them as minor inconveniences. Essential supplies, home security, and safety protocols can save lives and prevent thousands of dollars in damage.
Reduce panic by planning early, understanding that a hurricane emergency can arise in a matter of days. This checklist covers before, during, and after storm essentials so you can go into hurricane season feeling confident, not scared.
Before the Storm: Building a Comprehensive Hurricane Kit
The items you need for a comprehensive hurricane kit include food and water, first aid supplies, basic safety and communication tools, hygiene items, power solutions, and vital documents. Update yours for the 2025 hurricane season and refresh it each year with new items.
Start with water. You’ll need at least one gallon per person per day, and we recommend a minimum three-day supply.
Also pack non-perishable food, like dried fruit, protein bars, trail mix, and canned goods. (Don’t forget the can opener.)
Include a complete first aid kit. Ensure it has medications, bandages, and antiseptic materials. Add personal hygiene items to this kit, such as feminine hygiene products and baby supplies.
Pack a couple of flashlights and extra batteries. A battery-powered or hand-crank radio also helps during outages.
In a waterproof container, store copies of vital documents like birth certificates and SS cards. You can also add a few hundred dollars in cash for post-storm purchases, as often, the power may be out for some time following a hurricane.
If you’re concerned about extended outages, consider investing in a portable power station like the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Max Plus + 220W Solar Panel as a solution so you can still charge essential appliances and devices. Pack a portable phone charger or power bank for a smaller and more portable option.
Home Prep: Securing Windows, Roof, Doors, and Outdoor Items
Turn your home into a stronghold against storms to protect your family and property. Start by installing storm shutters or using plywood to board up your windows.
Get on the roof or hire a professional to inspect and secure roof tiles, downspouts, and gutters—clear drainage areas around your property so the rain has somewhere to go.
Reinforce exterior doors, including garage doors. Bring cars inside the garage and use sandbags to secure the doors and water entry points.
Trim trees with branches that hang near the house. Secure outdoor furniture or move it somewhere safe so the wind can’t turn your items into projectiles.
Consider an integrated home solar system for automatic backup power if the grid shuts off. If using a standard generator, check your fuel levels and storage, and test the generator to ensure it works properly.
During Strong Winds: Personal Safety and Evacuation Readiness
When the winds peak, usually just before and after the eye of the storm passes over your home, stay indoors to stay safe. Don’t go outside. Avoid windows and glass doors, which may shatter if hit by a flying object or tree branch. Note that hurricane winds are different than tornadoes. Rather than rotating and impacting for just a few seconds to minutes like a tornado, hurricane winds can be sustained for several hours. It’s best to find a “safe room” to hunker down for most of the storm, usually an interior room on the lowest floor.
Monitor the weather using your phone if you can. If power, internet, or cell service cuts out, use a battery radio to stay updated.
Plan your evacuation route, and create alternatives if a path is blocked or inaccessible. Keep an emergency kit on hand so it’s easily accessible to everyone in the home in case they need it.
Know when to shelter in place vs. when to evacuate. If you wait too long, it’s often best to stay put to avoid being on roads as the storm hits. Only evacuate when it’s safe or you are in more danger staying put.
Post-Storm Recovery: Reestablishing Essentials and Documentation
Once the storm has cleared, check for structural damage around your home. If you evacuated, do a thorough exterior inspection before re-entering. Document any damage with photos for your insurance claims.
The power may still be out at this time. Storms can last a day or two, so if your phone died during that time, use the EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank (25,000mAh) to turn it back on and contact family members or emergency services if necessary.
Avoid flood waters via car or on foot, as they can contain contaminants or hazardous items you may not be able to see. Be cautious of downed power lines, loose traffic lights, and other road hazards.
Inventory your damaged belongings methodically and keep detailed records to support your insurance claims. This includes keeping receipts for all your storm-related expenses.
Only begin cleaning up when it’s safe to do so. Check on elderly neighbors or family members to see if they need help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What To Buy in Preparation for a Hurricane?
Focus on a 72-hour food and water supply for each person in your home. Then, prioritize power, communication, and medical needs. Don’t forget pet supplies or baby items if either applies to you. Remember: quality over quantity. Invest in reliable equipment that can last many hurricane seasons.
What Should You Bring Inside Before a Hurricane?
Bring all outdoor furniture, grills, tools, decorations, potted plants, trash cans, and garden hoses inside. If you have any children’s toys, bicycles, or sports equipment outdoors, bring those in as well. Anything that is not secured could become a projectile in high hurricane winds.
Hurricane Preparedness Involves Planning, Protection, and Power
Hurricane preparedness can’t be haphazardly accomplished at the last minute. Hurricane season occurs roughly at the same time every year, so you know exactly when the risks begin, and you have plenty of time to prepare ahead of time. Secure your home to protect your property and those who live there, and plan logistics like evacuation routes and safe rooms well in advance. Consider what you’ll do if and when the power goes out and invest in a reliable backup power method like the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Max Plus + 220W Solar Panel. This kind of planning can accelerate your return to normalcy and help you weather the storm with confidence.