Make Your Own Hurricane Preparedness Checklist for This Season

Take photos of your belongings in case they’re damaged by water or wind from the hurricane. These photos will come in handy if you need to file a claim with FEMA or your insurance provider after the hurricane.

If your power goes out during a hurricane, which is likely if your area is in a floodplain or is under mandatory evacuation, your fridge and freezer will thaw. Either dispose of any perishable foods or wait until after the hurricane to determine if they’re salvageable.
Tip: Use the quarter test! Fill a cup of water and freeze it. Before you leave your home, place a quarter on top of the ice. When you get back, you can see if your freezer thawed and re-froze by checking if the quarter sanke into the melted ice.

Turning off your electricity at the main breaker can protect your home from power surges caused by floodwater. Do not turn off your natural gas at the meter. Learn more about hurricane safety tips for electricity and natural gas.

If you decide to leave your electricity on, be sure to turn off as many electrical devices in your home as possible.

Clear all lawn chairs, decorations, children’s toys and other movable objects by either tying them down or moving them inside your home or garage.

Circle the outside of your home and look for any weak or broken limbs. Cut the weak or dead branches off your trees to ensure that they don’t become flying debris, which can cause major damage during a hurricane.

Depending on your situation and resources, there are a number of ways to protect your windows from a hurricane. If you have hurricane essentials like storm shutters, close them. If you have access to sheets of plywood, board up your windows tightly to prevent flying debris from shattering them.
Tip: If none of these options are available to you, try taping up your windows, but only do this if you are evacuating! It creates bigger shards of glass that can be dangerous if you are inside but is easier to clean up once you return home.

If you have a ceiling or roof leak, now’s the time to seal it up, because it may become much worse during the hurricane.

Insurance that covers your home and belongings when a hurricane hits can help you recover faster from a loss. Check before hurricane season starts. It may be impossible to get if you wait until a hurricane is predicted for your area. If you have made major purchases or improvements to your home, be sure coverage is adequate to cover them. When a storm is predicted, be sure your policy is in a safe place and you know how to reach the company in the event of a loss.

Ready.gov suggests having enough water on hand for three days, allowing 1 gallon per day, per person. Drinkable water should be at the top of your hurricane necessities list.

Canned foods are great hurricane essentials (don’t forget a manual can opener — not electric!). Or if you’re a serious survivalist, try military MREs.

Double-check that your first-aid kit is fully stocked with the essentials. For reference, check out what the Red Cross suggests you add to your emergency first-aid kit list.

Keep your phone charged with a portable travel charger in order to make emergency calls, just in case the power goes out.

Pack, as well as photocopy or scan, important documents such as your marriage license, Social Security card, children’s vaccination records, insurance information, etc.

Write out a list of all emergency contact numbers, including your family’s numbers, utility provider’s numbers, school or work numbers, and public helplines.

Either works just fine, but if your flashlight or radio is battery-powered, pick up plenty of extra batteries!

Knowing the difference between a flood advisory, flood watch and a flood warning can keep you and your family safe. If your area is under a hurricane flood advisory, be aware and evacuate if needed. If you're under a flood watch, be prepared for the potential of flooding. If there is a flood warning, take action and move immediately to higher ground if possible.

Always remember to pack critical medication for every member of your family (including the your pets). Medical emergencies after hurricanes are often caused by a disruption in prescription refills. You can find an up-to-date list of local pharmacies that are open during a hurricane by checking HealthCareReady.org.

Fill your gas tank, and keep it full. Don’t do this the day of evacuation because gas stations will be busy and may be running low. Every minute counts when it comes to getting on the road.

Set out an evacuation route for you and your family, as well as a backup route. Be aware of bridge closings if you live on an island or peninsula town. To prepare for internet outages complicating GPS availability, purchase paper maps to add to your hurricane necessities list.

If you need to evacuate but don't have a place to stay, the Red Cross and Salvation Army offer shelters for those affected by natural disasters. Research to see if your area has any local shelters set up.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, can give you temporary shelter. You can contact FEMA and request shelter by texting SHELTER followed by your zip code (example: shelter12345) to 43362. FEMA also provides housing assistance for those who have lost their homes in a natural disaster, such as a hurricane.

Visit Cancellations.com for up-to-date school closing notifications.

If your town isn’t under a mandatory hurricane evacuation, but your family decides to evacuate, notify your teachers ahead of time. This will give you an excused absence and let your teacher know you’re safe.

Use your extra time waiting out the storm to work on any major school assignments you might be missing.

Be proactive and let your boss know as soon as possible if you’ll be evacuating or not.

Set up an automatic email responder if you'll be out of the office for a long period of time. Include your contact information and be clear about when you will return.

Some employers give paid time off (PTO) for disasters such as hurricanes. Check to see what your PTO policy is, and plan your finances accordingly.

If you’re in an area that doesn't have a mandatory hurricane evacuation, your workplace may choose to weather the storm. If winds get too severe or flash flooding occurs, make sure that your employer has an evacuation plan for all employees.

If you need a specific device or item that can allow you to work remotely, take it with you: laptops, tablets, supplies, etc.

The courageous workers who stay behind to aid the sick, injured or those in an emergency are some of our nation’s greatest heroes. If you have to stay behind for your job, make sure you know where your family will be, and let them know exactly where you will be, what time your shifts run and how to contact you in case of emergency.

Businesses are required by law to offer a safe and healthful place in which to work, and for it to meet specific building codes. To learn more about what every worksite should have in place to protect workers from potential hazards, consult OSHA's recommended practices for safety and health programs .

When it comes to hurricanes and other disasters, small businesses are encouraged to plan ahead of time for safety, protection, recovery or continuity of business. To learn more about hurricane essentials for small businesses, you can read the Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan by the Small Business Administration.

Talk to your team as soon as possible, and go over your emergency plan to ensure their safety and the protection of business property and important documents. Define a communications plan, and let your employees know who to call, where to check or if there is an alternate location to do business. Make it clear to your employees if you still intend to stay in business and continue to serve customers.

Use your company’s social media channels to let customers know of any changes in store hours or closings as part of the hurricane preparedness plan for your business.

Schedule and arrange payroll ahead of time, while banks are still operating. There may be disruption of service during a hurricane.

Make sure to back up your computers and save important data to the cloud or flash drives. If you have important papers, the U.S. Small Business Administration recommends gathering them and putting them in a three-ring binder with pockets in a waterproof bag you take with you. You may also want to look into a backup power source to limit the damaging effects of a power outage on your business.

Arrange to store company vehicles in a place that is safer or on higher ground.

Bring any possible outside hazards, like signs and display racks, if possible. Secure items that can’t be brought inside.

Make sure that you understand what your business insurance covers, whether your coverage is appropriate and that you have all your policy information in a safe place. If you don’t have flood insurance for your business and want to make sure your small business is safe from a hurricane, you can contact the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or visit DisasterLoan.sba.gov/ela/.

Double-check your marine insurance policy to ensure that you'll be covered for any hurricane damage to your boat.

Some marinas mandate boat removal when hurricanes approach. Contact your marina for their hurricane policies.

Find a safe place to store your boat inland, and be sure to weigh down the trailer or structure keeping it up.

In addition to extra lines giving extra strength, be sure to give extra length. This makes certain that any large waves or high waters allow the boat to rise and lower with it.
Tip: For extra information on hurricane boat safety, check out Boatsafe’s hurricane preparedness checklist for boats.

Don’t forget the diapers! Depending on their age, babies go through as many as 12 diapers a day, according to Parents.com, so put them near the top of your hurricane ready.

Kids can get bored pretty quickly while waiting out a storm. Pack games and puzzles that don't require electricity so they can be used at any time.

However your baby eats, make sure you're ready with all the necessary hurricane essentials, ingredients or tools needed to keep your baby happy and fed.

If you're pregnant or nursing, be sure to pack extra fluids, prenatal vitamins, other medications and protein bars for yourself.

If you have infants or toddlers, be sure to pack a sling, baby carrier or other carrying device in case you need to travel distances by foot.
Tip: For more information on what to pack for babies and kids in an emergency supplies kit, go to the APHA's Get Ready campaign.

Take pets to a kennel or friend’s place on high ground, or choose a designated caregiver or pet sitter on high ground. Remember, some public shelters do not allow pets.

Experts at the ASPCA say to prepare enough food for three to seven days upon evacuation.

Make sure your pets are wearing their collars and ID tags.

If you're going to a hotel or facility that accepts pets, remember to have a travel bag and leash.

The ASPCA recommends microchipping your pets so they can be identified more easily if placed in shelters.

Don’t wait until a hurricane to prepare an emergency evacuation evacuation plan for an older or disabled loved one. If they are with a caregiver, communicate and plan what should happen during and after the hurricane.

If your loved one is staying at their caregiving residence, make sure you provide updated contact information for you and them. Make sure that their residence has all the hurricane essentials needed and be aware of their evacuation plan.

Hurricanes can be scary for individuals with sensory disorders like autism. Remember to pack any sensory toys, games or weighted blankets that can help ease them during and after the hurricane.

Prepare oxygen tanks, speech machines, medications and other necessities for instant evacuation.

Older citizens that get government benefits and haven't yet switched from checks to electronic deposit can do so by calling 800-333-1795 or sign up at Go Direct.