Hurricane FAQs

Start preparations well before storm season. Stock an emergency kit, identify your evacuation zone, and have a family communication plan in place. Secure outdoor furniture, reinforce windows and doors, and keep important documents in a waterproof container.

If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. If sheltering in place, stay indoors away from windows and doors, even during the calm of the eye. Monitor local emergency broadcasts and avoid using candles due to fire risk. Do not go outside until authorities confirm the storm has fully passed.

Survival starts with preparation before the storm arrives. If ordered to evacuate, do so. During the hurricane, stay indoors, away from windows, and on the highest floor if flooding is a risk. After the storm, avoid floodwaters, downed power lines, and structurally damaged buildings. Follow local authority guidance before returning home or resuming normal activity.

All hurricanes (Category 1 and above) are dangerous. Category 1 brings 74 to 95 mph winds, roof damage, and downed trees. Categories 3 to 5 (major hurricanes) bring catastrophic damage. Storm surge and flooding often cause more fatalities than wind, even in weaker storms.

Storm surge is the abnormal rise of seawater pushed ashore by hurricane winds, often 10 to 20 feet above normal tide. It is the deadliest hurricane hazard, causing most fatalities. Evacuate if ordered and know your zone at the National Hurricane Center surge maps.

Evacuate as soon as local authorities order evacuation for your zone. Do not wait. Evacuation orders are issued 24 to 48 hours before landfall. If you live in a mobile home, flood zone, or storm surge zone, leave before the first gusts arrive and roads close.

1 gallon per person per day for a minimum of 3 days, with 14 days recommended for Gulf and Atlantic coastal areas where utility restoration can take 2+ weeks. A family of four needs 56 gallons for a 14-day supply.

Install permanent hurricane shutters, impact-resistant windows, or 5/8-inch plywood cut to fit each window. Tape is not effective. Do not open windows during the storm; closed windows reduce pressure differentials that can cause catastrophic failure.

Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with peak activity from mid-August through October. Pacific hurricane season runs May 15 to November 30.

Cut 5/8-inch exterior plywood to fit each window with 4 inches of overlap on all sides. Pre-drill mounting holes and install anchor screws into the window frame. Mark each piece with its window location. Store in the garage ready for rapid deployment.