Hurricane Season Reality Check
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 - November 30, with peak activity August through October. The 2024 season produced 17 named storms and caused over $50 billion in damage. Climate scientists predict increasing storm intensity in coming decades. If you live in a coastal state from Texas to Maine, hurricane preparation isn't optional.
Understanding Hurricane Categories
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale categorizes hurricanes by sustained wind speed. Categories 3, 4, and 5 are classified as "major hurricanes" capable of catastrophic damage:
74-95 mph
Minimal damage to structures
96-110 mph
Moderate damage, power outages
111-129 mph
Devastating damage
130-156 mph
Catastrophic damage
157+ mph
Total destruction possible
Important: Category doesn't tell the whole story. A "weak" Category 1 hurricane can cause massive flooding and more deaths than a Category 4 that moves quickly. Hurricane Harvey (2017) was "only" a Category 4 at landfall but caused $125 billion in damage due to catastrophic flooding.
Know Your Zone Before Hurricane Season
Most coastal areas have designated evacuation zones (often labeled A, B, C, etc.). Zone A typically includes the most vulnerable areas—beachfront, barrier islands, and low-lying flood zones.
Find Your Zone
- Florida: FloridaDisaster.org/KnowYourZone
- Texas: TexasReady.gov
- Louisiana: GetAGamePlan.org
- Other states: Search "[Your state] hurricane evacuation zones"
Plan Multiple Evacuation Routes
Have at least 2-3 evacuation routes planned:
- Primary route: The most direct path to safety
- Alternate routes: In case primary is congested or flooded
- Destination options: Hotels inland, relatives' homes, shelters
Book Early
If evacuating to a hotel, book as soon as a watch is issued. Hotels 100+ miles inland fill up quickly. Many hotels waive cancellation fees during hurricanes—ask when booking.
Hurricane Preparation Timeline
The key to hurricane survival is acting early. Here's what to do at each stage:
(May)
Long-Term Preparation
- Review and update insurance policies (flood insurance has 30-day waiting period)
- Document home contents with photos and video for claims
- Stock basic hurricane supplies
- Trim trees and remove dead branches
- Know your evacuation zone and routes
- Prepare go-bags for each family member
- Install or inspect storm shutters
(48 hours)
Accelerate Preparations
- Fill all vehicles with gas (stations run out quickly)
- Withdraw cash from ATM (power outages disable card readers)
- Fill prescriptions—get 30-day supply if possible
- Charge all devices and backup batteries
- Fill bathtub with water for flushing toilets (or use WaterBOB for drinking water)
- Bring in outdoor furniture, decorations, and loose items
- Begin installing storm shutters or plywood
- Review evacuation plan with family
(36 hours)
Final Preparations
- Complete storm shutter installation
- Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings
- Fill freezer with water bottles (ice blocks if power fails)
- If evacuating: LEAVE NOW—roads become gridlocked
- Move valuables to highest floor
- Secure important documents in waterproof container
- Take photos of home condition for insurance
Shelter in Place Safety
- Stay away from windows, skylights, and glass doors
- Go to interior room on lowest floor (closet, bathroom, under stairs)
- If flooding begins, move to upper floors—never attic without roof access
- Don't be fooled by the eye—winds return from opposite direction
- Keep NOAA radio on for updates
- Do not go outside until all-clear is given
Essential Hurricane Supplies
Hurricane aftermath can leave you without power, water, or access to stores for 1-3 weeks. Stock supplies before hurricane season, not when a storm is approaching.
Water & Hydration
- Stored water: 1 gallon per person per day for minimum 7 days (14 days recommended)
- WaterBOB: Bathtub bladder holds 100 gallons of drinking water
- Water filter: Backup for purifying additional sources
- Pool water: If you have a pool, it can be filtered for non-drinking use
Food & Cooking
- Non-perishable food: 7-14 days per person
- Manual can opener: Essential—electric openers useless without power
- Camp stove or grill: For cooking (OUTDOOR USE ONLY)
- Propane or charcoal: Extra fuel supply
- Cooler with ice: Preserve refrigerator contents
- Paper plates and utensils: Conserve water—no dishwashing
Power & Light
- Flashlights: Multiple, with extra batteries
- Lanterns: Battery-powered (avoid candles—fire risk)
- NOAA weather radio: Battery or hand-crank powered
- Portable power station: For phones, medical devices, fans
- Generator: If staying—with fuel supply (OUTDOOR USE ONLY)
- Car chargers: Your car is a mobile charging station
Documents & Financial
- Important documents: Insurance policies, IDs, passports, property deeds in waterproof container
- Cash in small bills: $500+ recommended—ATMs and card readers won't work
- Photos of valuables: For insurance claims (store in cloud too)
- Emergency contacts list: Written copy in case phone dies
Safety Equipment
- First aid kit: Comprehensive kit with trauma supplies
- Prescription medications: 30-day supply minimum
- Fire extinguisher: ABC-rated
- Chainsaw or handsaw: For clearing debris (exercise caution)
- Work gloves: Heavy-duty for debris handling
- Tarps: For temporary roof repairs
Evacuation vs. Shelter in Place
You SHOULD Evacuate If:
- Authorities issue mandatory evacuation for your zone
- You live in a mobile or manufactured home (evacuate for ANY hurricane)
- You live in a flood zone or near storm surge areas
- You live in a high-rise (upper floors exposed to stronger winds)
- You have medical needs requiring electricity
- You don't feel confident riding out the storm
If You Evacuate
- Leave early: 24-48 hours before landfall. Traffic becomes gridlocked.
- Take your go-bag: Pre-packed with essentials
- Take pets: Most shelters don't accept pets—plan ahead
- Secure your home: Install shutters, turn off utilities if advised
- Take photos: Document home condition before leaving
- Leave a note: Tell neighbors where you're going
If You Shelter in Place
- Move to an interior room on the lowest floor
- Stay away from windows, skylights, and glass doors
- Keep NOAA radio on for updates
- Don't go outside during the eye—winds return suddenly from opposite direction
- If flooding begins, move UP—never to an attic without roof access (people drown trapped in attics)
After the Hurricane
Wait for Official All-Clear
Don't venture out until authorities confirm it's safe. Hazards persist after winds subside:
- Downed power lines (assume ALL wires are live)
- Flooded roads (never drive through standing water)
- Unstable structures
- Debris and sharp objects
- Contaminated water
Returning Home After Evacuation
- Wait for official clearance before returning to your area
- Photograph damage before touching anything—for insurance
- Check for gas leaks before entering (smell for rotten eggs)
- Check structural damage from outside first
- Be cautious of wildlife displaced by flooding (snakes, alligators, fire ants)
- Don't use tap water until declared safe
Generator Safety Warning
Carbon monoxide from generators kills dozens of people after every major hurricane. Generators must be operated OUTDOORS ONLY, at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents. Never run a generator in a garage, even with the door open. Install battery-powered CO detectors in your home.
Food Safety After Power Outage
- Refrigerator: Safe for 4 hours if door stays closed
- Freezer: Full freezer safe 48 hours; half-full safe 24 hours
- When in doubt, throw it out: Food poisoning isn't worth the risk
- Use food thermometer: Discard anything above 40°F
Insurance Claims
- Document all damage with photos and video before cleanup
- Contact insurance company promptly (adjusters are in high demand)
- Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage (keep receipts)
- Keep damaged items until adjuster visits
- Get multiple contractor estimates for repairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Evacuate when: 1) Authorities issue a mandatory evacuation order for your zone, 2) You live in a mobile/manufactured home, flood zone, or high-rise, 3) You have medical needs requiring electricity, or 4) You don't feel safe staying. Leave early to avoid traffic—roads become gridlocked as storms approach.
Essential hurricane supplies include: water (1 gallon per person per day for 7-14 days), non-perishable food for 7-14 days, medications for 30 days, battery-powered NOAA radio, flashlights, first aid kit, cash in small bills, important documents in waterproof bag, full tank of gas, and generator with fuel if not evacuating.
Protect your home by: installing storm shutters or pre-cut plywood for windows, reinforcing garage doors, trimming trees and removing dead branches, securing outdoor furniture, clearing gutters and drains, and turning refrigerator/freezer to coldest setting. Consider impact-resistant windows for long-term protection.
A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours—start preparations immediately. A Hurricane Warning means hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours—complete preparations and evacuate if ordered. Tropical Storm Watch/Warning follow the same pattern but for tropical storm conditions.
Generators must ONLY be used outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents. Never run a generator inside, in a garage, or under a carport. Carbon monoxide from generators kills dozens of people after hurricanes each year. Install battery-powered CO detectors in your home.
Calculate Your Hurricane Preparedness
Use these calculators to determine your exact supply needs:
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