Know your evacuation zone and routes
Most coastal counties have lettered evacuation zones (A, B, C) based on storm surge risk — Zone A is highest risk and evacuates first. Find yours at your county's emergency management website. Identify two evacuation routes and a destination (hotel, family home, or official shelter). Register your shelter needs if you have mobility limitations — most counties have special needs registries.
Build a hurricane supply kit
FEMA's recommended kit: Water (1 gallon per person per day, 7-day minimum), non-perishable food (7-day supply), battery/hand-crank NOAA Weather Radio, flashlights and batteries, first aid kit, 7-day medication supply, copies of important documents in a waterproof container, cash (ATMs won't work), full tank of gas, and phone chargers/backup battery.
Protect your home if staying
Cover windows with storm shutters or plywood (5/8-inch minimum). Bring in outdoor furniture and anything that could become a projectile. Clear gutters and drains. Know how to shut off utilities. Move valuables to higher floors if flooding is possible. Never use generators indoors — carbon monoxide poisoning kills people every storm season.
Understand the National Hurricane Center's warnings
Hurricane Watch: conditions possible within 48 hours — prepare now. Hurricane Warning: conditions expected within 36 hours — finish preparations, evacuate if ordered. Tropical Storm Watch/Warning: less severe but still dangerous wind and flood risk. Source: nhc.noaa.gov.
During the storm: stay inside, away from windows
The "eye" of a hurricane brings a temporary calm — do not go outside during this period. The eye wall on the other side can be even stronger. Stay in an interior room on the lowest safe floor (go higher if flooding threatens). A bathtub with a mattress over it is a recognized shelter option for extreme wind gusts.
After the storm: dangers continue
Don't return home until authorities clear the area. Never drive through floodwater — 6 inches of moving water can knock a person down; 12 inches can carry away a small vehicle. Check for gas leaks and structural damage before entering your home. Document all damage with photos and video before cleanup — this is required for insurance claims.
Register with FEMA after a declared disaster
If your county receives a federal disaster declaration, register at disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. This can include rental assistance, home repair grants, and other support. Apply even if you have insurance — FEMA can cover gaps. Deadlines apply, so register promptly after the disaster declaration.
Before the Season (June 1)
- Review and replenish your emergency kit
- Review your homeowners and flood insurance coverage
- Note: standard homeowners insurance does NOT cover flooding — you need separate flood insurance (NFIP or private)
- Test your generator and store fuel safely
- Photograph home contents for insurance documentation
- Trim trees near your home
Flood Insurance Reality
- Standard homeowners policies DO NOT cover flood damage
- NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) policies have a 30-day waiting period — you cannot buy them when a storm is approaching
- About 25% of NFIP claims come from properties outside high-risk flood zones
- Learn more at floodsmart.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need to evacuate if I've survived other hurricanes in my home?
Past survival is not a reliable predictor — storm surge, the deadliest component of hurricanes, varies dramatically based on track, size, and tidal timing. If local officials order evacuation for your zone, follow it. The Saffir-Simpson scale measures wind speed, not surge — a Category 2 can produce deadly surge in certain topographies.
How do I find an official hurricane shelter?
Contact your county emergency management office or visit your county website. The American Red Cross also coordinates shelters — find them at redcross.org or text SHELTER and your zip code to 43362. Not all shelters accept pets — identify pet-friendly options in advance.
What's the difference between a Category 1 and Category 5 hurricane?
The Saffir-Simpson scale measures sustained wind speed: Cat 1 (74–95 mph), Cat 2 (96–110 mph), Cat 3 (111–129 mph, major hurricane), Cat 4 (130–156 mph), Cat 5 (157+ mph). However, category does not measure storm surge, rainfall, or geographic size — all of which cause significant damage independent of wind category.