What to do when there’s a hurricane in the forecast
You may have already taken some steps to prepare your home and property for hurricane season. But when local authorities or news stations have declared that a storm is in the near forecast, there are additional steps you can take to prevent damage to your home and vehicle and protect your family when the storm hits.
Prepare your home and property to avoid hurricane damage
When a hurricane is in the forecast, take a good look around your home — inside and out — and secure any vulnerable areas or loose objects that could be picked up and thrown by the wind. Check these to-dos off your list to prepare your home and property before the next storm hits. (And don’t delay! Strong winds can arrive hours before a storm’s estimated landfall.)
How to prepare your yard and the outside of your home for a hurricane
- Cut and secure weak or dead branches from trees, shrubs, and plants
- Secure or put away outdoor furniture, planters, bikes, barbeques, and other fixtures
- Cover your windows with shutters or plywood
- Prepare your swimming pool by adding extra chlorine to prevent contamination and turning off your pool’s circulation pump and other electrical components
- Remove and securely put away any awnings or shade sails
How to prepare the inside of your home for a hurricane
- Secure any objects inside your home that could be picked up and thrown by the wind if a window breaks
- Tape or tie cabinet doors shut
- Remove items from windowsills, counters, and tabletops
- Set aside a few towels for mopping up small amounts of water that may end up around window and door openings
- Clean and fill your bathtub for easy access to fresh water following power loss
- Fill a cooler with ice and any food you expect to consume during and immediately after the storm
- Fully charge mobile phones and other battery-operated appliances
- Move furniture and breakables away from your windows
- If you live in a low-lying area or near the water, keep the potential risk of flooding in mind and take any necessary steps to protect your belongings
Double check your emergency kit
Locate your emergency kit
and ensure it’s well stocked — especially food, drinking water, and medications. Check the batteries in your flashlights and radio, and replace them if necessary.
Relocate your vehicle to protect it from debris and flooding
If a hurricane is in the forecast, try to park your vehicle in a secure location that is unlikely to become flooded during a storm. Water tends to pool in lower-lying areas first. Be sure to close and lock all of your vehicle’s windows and doors.
Stay close to home and monitor your local news stations
When a hurricane is in the forecast, stay as close to home as possible, and avoid any unnecessary trips outside your home. Stay in touch with local news stations to monitor the storm’s progress, and tune into the Government Emergency Broadcast Station on FM 100.1 mHz if local stations go off air or you lose connectivity.
Download our hurricane preparedness list for more steps you can take when there’s a hurricane in the forecast.