Prepare Your Home for Hurricane Season: US Checklist

Preparing before a storm is forecast gives you more time to make safe decisions. Use this checklist to prepare your home for hurricane season, then follow directions from local officials for evacuation, shelters, utilities, and hazards specific to your area.

If officials order an evacuation, leave promptly. People come before property.

Start With Local Risk and a Household Plan

Hurricanes can bring strong winds, storm surge, coastal or inland flooding, tornadoes, heavy rain, and long utility outages. Risks can vary significantly by neighborhood, so learn the hazards most likely at your address before choosing projects or making evacuation plans.

Make an evacuation and communication plan

Before hurricane season, find your evacuation zone, evacuation routes, shelter options, and local emergency-alert signup page. Your household plan should include:

Two meeting places: one near home and one outside your immediate neighborhood
An out-of-area contact everyone can call or text
Contact information for schools, caregivers, medical providers, and veterinarians
Transportation and evacuation support for children, older adults, and people with mobility, communication, or medical needs
A pet plan with carriers, food, medications, records, and pet-friendly shelter or lodging options
A plan for prescriptions, medical devices, refrigerated medications, and backup-power needs

Use reliable local and national information

Check official sources for alerts, forecasts, and preparedness guidance:

Your local emergency management agency and local government alert system
The National Hurricane Center for storm forecasts, watches, warnings, and updates
Ready.gov hurricane guidance
FEMA and FloodSmart for flood-risk and insurance information

Review insurance and document your property

Review homeowners or renters insurance, along with any separate flood or wind coverage that may apply. Confirm deductibles, insurer contact details, and claim-documentation requirements.

Policy changes, new coverage, and storm-related binding restrictions vary by insurer and location. Contact your insurer well before a storm is approaching.

Photograph or video-record your home and major belongings. Keep copies of identification, insurance information, medical details, and emergency contacts in a waterproof portable container and in a secure digital location.

Inspect and Maintain the Home Exterior

Address maintenance problems early, especially issues that could let rain into the home or allow components to come loose in high winds. For structural repairs or upgrades, use qualified professionals as needed and follow local building codes, permit rules, and manufacturer instructions.

Check the roof, gutters, and drainage

From the ground, look for loose, damaged, or missing shingles; deteriorated flashing; and damage around vents or other openings. Arrange repairs if you notice leaks, interior water stains, or visible damage.

Clear leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts. Make sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation. Clear yard drains, swales, and drainage paths so water can move as intended.

Do not climb onto a roof in unsafe conditions. Use a qualified roofing professional for work you cannot safely assess or complete from the ground.

Inspect windows, doors, and garage doors

Check windows, exterior doors, garage doors, frames, locks, hinges, weatherstripping, and other hardware. Repair loose hardware and gaps that could admit wind-driven rain.

If your location and home call for opening protection, choose products rated for the relevant wind zone and have them installed according to manufacturer instructions and local code. Hurricane shutters, impact-rated windows and doors, and garage-door reinforcement may require professional installation or permits.

Do not rely on tape applied to windows as hurricane protection.

Also inspect siding, soffits, vents, screens, and exterior trim. Repair or secure damaged components before the season begins.

Reduce Wind Hazards Around the Property

Walk around your property and identify items that could shift, break, or become airborne. Decide in advance whether each item should be brought inside, secured, repaired, or stored elsewhere.

Address trees and detached structures

Prune dead, damaged, or overhanging branches, especially near the roof, vehicles, and utility lines. Hire a qualified tree professional for large limbs, major pruning, or any work near power lines.

Inspect fences, gates, sheds, carports, and other detached structures for damaged panels, loose fasteners, or anchoring problems. Structural upgrades should meet local code requirements.

Plan for outdoor belongings

Make a plan for items such as:

Patio furniture, umbrellas, and grills
Planters, pots, and outdoor décor
Trash and recycling bins
Play equipment and portable sports gear
Tools, ladders, and loose building materials

Complete this work well before hazardous weather arrives. Do not try to secure loose items once winds are increasing or officials tell residents to stay indoors or evacuate.

Limit Water Damage and Flood Exposure

Flooding can occur far inland as well as along the coast. Consider both water entering the building and water collecting around the property.

Identify likely water-entry points

Look for low doors and windows, roof penetrations, foundation openings, utility entry points, and areas where drainage backs up. Maintain grading and drainage so water moves away from the foundation where feasible.

Depending on your property, flood risk, building requirements, and budget, a qualified local professional may recommend protecting low openings or elevating vulnerable equipment. Flood-mitigation work may require permits and must comply with local codes.

Move valuables and use utilities cautiously

Move important records, valuables, chemicals, and vulnerable belongings out of areas that could flood. Store irreplaceable items higher up or in waterproof containers.

Locate gas, water, and electrical shutoffs before an emergency. Follow local official and utility-provider instructions, and use shutoffs only if you know how to do so safely or have been directed to do so. Do not enter flooded areas where electrical hazards may be present.

Never walk or drive through floodwater. Depth, current, roadway damage, contamination, and electrical hazards may not be visible.

Prepare for Power Outages and Backup Power

Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, replacing batteries or units as needed. Keep flashlights, extra batteries, charging cables, and portable phone-power options in an accessible location.

Plan for needs that depend on electricity, including refrigerated food, medications, medical devices, and other essential equipment. If needed, discuss backup arrangements with medical providers, equipment suppliers, caregivers, or local assistance programs.

Use generators safely

Follow the generator manufacturer's instructions and applicable local requirements.

Run a portable generator outdoors, well away from doors, windows, and vents.
Never operate a generator in a home, garage, basement, shed, crawlspace, or other enclosed or partially enclosed space.
Never connect a portable generator directly to household wiring or plug it into a wall outlet.
Use a properly installed transfer switch or interlock when connecting a generator to home circuits.
Keep generators dry and let them cool before refueling.

Improper generator use can create carbon monoxide and electrical hazards, including backfeed risks for occupants and utility workers. Review Consumer Product Safety Commission guidance on home wiring hazards before using backup power equipment.

Build Hurricane Emergency Supplies

Build supplies gradually instead of waiting until a storm is forecast. Adjust quantities for the number of people in your household, pets, dietary needs, and medical needs.

Category	Examples to prepare
Food and water	Drinking water, shelf-stable food, a manual can opener, and pet food
Health and hygiene	Medications, first-aid supplies, hygiene items, and prescription information
Lighting and power	Flashlights, batteries, chargers, and portable phone-power options
Tools and cleanup	Work gloves, basic tools, tarps, plastic sheeting, and waterproof containers
Records and money	Identification, insurance details, medical information, emergency contacts, and small-denomination cash

Store supplies where they are easy to reach and protected from likely flooding. Recheck food, medications, batteries, and pet supplies at least once each season.

Complete Final Actions When a Hurricane Is Forecast

Monitor official weather updates and local instructions. If time and conditions allow, complete these final steps:

Follow evacuation orders promptly; do not stay behind to protect property.
Bring outdoor items inside or secure them using your preplanned system.
Close and protect exterior openings with your prepared protection system.
Move vehicles to a safer location when it is safe and appropriate.
Charge phones and essential devices.
Gather prescriptions, medical equipment, pet supplies, important records, and emergency kits.
Fuel vehicles when it is safe to do so.
Update your household contact and meeting plan.

Avoid risky last-minute work. Do not climb onto a roof, handle damaged electrical equipment, drive through floodwater, or work outdoors once hazardous conditions are approaching.

Return and Recover Safely After the Storm

Return only after local authorities say it is safe. Hazards can remain after winds and rain have passed.

Watch for downed power lines, damaged trees, unstable structures, gas odors, contaminated floodwater, and damaged electrical equipment. Treat every downed line as dangerous, and stay away from standing water near electrical equipment.

When it is safe, document damage with photos and notes before making permanent repairs. Use appropriate protective gear during cleanup, and contact your insurer, qualified repair professionals, and local assistance resources as needed.

Make Hurricane Readiness a Seasonal Routine

The most useful hurricane preparation happens before a storm is named. Revisit this checklist every year, update it after household or property changes, and rely on local officials for instructions tailored to your location.