Hurricane season preparedness

January — the year-ahead review

1. Review last season's home damage and repairs.
2. Update home inventory for insurance.
3. Review insurance policy for hurricane and flood coverage.
4. NFIP (flood) has a 30-day waiting period — apply now.
5. Check that windstorm coverage is in force.
6. Schedule roof inspection.
7. Schedule tree trimming.

February - March — major purchases

1. Portable generator: prices best in off-season.
2. Impact-rated windows or shutters if planning upgrade.
3. Reinforced garage door or brace kit.
4. Extra safety supplies: tarps, plywood, gas cans.
5. Chainsaw if you don't have one.
6. Solar + battery system: schedule installation.

April — vegetation and property

1. Trim trees away from house.
2. Remove dead branches.
3. Secure loose fencing.
4. Check foundation for cracks.
5. Clean gutters.
6. Ensure drainage away from house.
7. Confirm evacuation route.
8. Confirm shelter of last resort if evacuation impossible.

May — the paper trail

1. Update all identification: DL, passports, insurance cards.
2. Photograph interior and exterior of home.
3. Video walk of house and possessions for insurance.
4. Copies of key documents in waterproof / fireproof safe:
5. — Homeowners policy
6. — Flood policy
7. — Auto title/registration
8. — Passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates
9. — Medical records for chronic conditions
10. — Vet records for pets
11. Backup digital copies to cloud.

June — season begins

1. Test home generator (run for 30 minutes).
2. Rotate stored gasoline (goes bad after ~90 days).
3. Restock emergency kit: water (1 gal/person/day × 14 days).
4. Restock non-perishable food.
5. Fresh batteries in every flashlight, radio, and device.
6. Test weather radio.
7. Confirm cell phone works with WEA.
8. Talk to family about evacuation plans.
9. Pack a go-bag.

July - September — the busy season

1. Monitor NHC daily.
2. When a storm is 5-7 days out: attention.
3. When a storm is 3-4 days out: refill gas.
4. When a storm is 72 hours out: begin serious prep.
5. When a storm is 48 hours out:
6. — Confirm evacuation decision
7. — Fill vehicle
8. — Charge everything
9. — Cash withdrawn
10. When a storm is 24 hours out:
11. — Shutters up or windows boarded
12. — Bring in patio furniture
13. — Fill bathtubs with water
14. — Freeze water bottles
15. When storm arrives:
16. — Stay inside
17. — Interior room away from windows
18. — Do NOT go outside during eye passage

October — winding down

• Season isn't over — late-season storms still possible through November.
• Track any lingering ones.
• Post-season damage inventory if hit.
• Insurance claim if damage.
• Restock any depleted supplies.

The financial preparation

• Emergency fund covering 30 days of expenses.
• Credit card kept below limit for evacuation.
• Cash on hand: $500-$1,000.
• Hurricane-shutter tax credit (varies by state).
• FORTIFIED discount on insurance.
• Note deductible: many hurricane deductibles are % of home value, not fixed dollar amount.
• 5% hurricane deductible on a $400k home = $20k out of pocket.

The evacuation decision framework

The kit

• Water: 1 gal/person/day × 14 days.
• Food: non-perishable, 14 days.
• Manual can opener.
• Battery-powered radio.
• Flashlights + batteries.
• First aid kit.
• Medications (14-day supply).
• Cash.
• Copies of documents in waterproof bag.
• Sturdy shoes.
• Change of clothes.
• Toiletries.
• Baby / pet supplies.
• Whistle for signaling.
• Multitool.
• Duct tape.
• Plastic sheeting.
• Local maps.
• Contact list on paper.

Learn more

• Tornado emergency kit
• Hurricane vs tornado
• Hurricane category explorer
• Home hardening