Hurricane Preparedness Checklist 2025: Essential Safety Steps Before, During & After -

Before: Know your evacuation zone, make a plan, build a 3–7 day kit (water 1 gal/person/day), secure home, back up data.
During: Follow local orders; shelter away from glass; avoid floodwater.
After: Treat downed lines as live; run generators outside; check food safety; document damage.

This hurricane preparedness checklist gives clear, evidence-based steps for 2025. It follows guidance from Ready.gov, the National Hurricane Center, FEMA, the American Red Cross, and the CDC. Use the **hurricane preparedness checklist** now—before watches and warnings—to make fast, safe choices.

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist: Know Your Risk

Portable generator running outside at a safe distance from a home. — Run generators outdoors—far from doors and windows—to prevent CO poisoning.

Hurricanes bring wind, water, and long power outages. Most injuries happen from debris, downed lines, carbon monoxide, and post-storm hazards. The timing matters: systems can strengthen quickly. Turn on local alerts, follow your city/county emergency office, and check the National Hurricane Center when storms form.

Find your evacuation zone and flood risk on your city/county site.
Save key numbers; add your utility outage page; bookmark your local NWS office.
Know the difference: Watch (possible, ~48h) vs. Warning (expected, ~36h).

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist: Build Your Kit (3–7 Days)

Use this hurricane preparedness checklist to organize and double-check your supplies. Plan for at least 3 days; a full week is better in many areas.

Water: 1 gallon (3.8 L) per person per day for drinking and sanitation. Add for heat, nursing, pets, and medical needs.
Food: Shelf-stable items you will actually eat (beans, tuna, nut butters, oats, shelf-stable milk, bars). Include a manual can opener.
Medications: 7–14 days of prescriptions; copies of scripts; medical devices and chargers; glasses/contacts.
First aid: Bandages, gauze, tape, antiseptic, pain relievers, antihistamines, tweezers, gloves.
Lights & power: Headlamps/flashlights; extra batteries; power banks; car charger; a battery/hand-crank NOAA Weather Radio.
Hygiene & sanitation: Soap, hand sanitizer, wipes, trash bags, toilet paper, heavy-duty cleaning gloves, contractor bags.
Protection & clothing: Work gloves, sturdy shoes, rain gear, hats, sunscreen, insect repellent, masks (N95/KN95 for mold/dust).
Documents & cash: Waterproof pouch with IDs, insurance, prescriptions, contacts; $50–$200 in small bills.
Tools: Multi-tool, duct tape, plastic sheeting, zip ties, bungees, whistle, printed phone numbers.
Special needs: Baby formula/diapers, mobility aids, hearing/vision items, pet food/carriers, cooling for heat-sensitive meds.

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist: Harden Your Home

Windows/doors: Install shutters or pre-cut, labeled plywood. Reinforce garage doors.
Outdoor hazards: Trim trees; bring in or secure furniture, grills, trash cans, and decorations.
Water management: Clear gutters and drains; test sump pumps; consider back-flow valves if you flood often.
Flood prep: Elevate valuables and electronics; move cars to higher ground; protect critical outlets and appliances.
Power & data: Charge power banks; fill vehicles; back up phones and laptops to the cloud; print key contacts and maps.
Utilities: Know how to safely shut off gas, water, and main power—only if told by officials or if there’s a clear hazard.

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist: Evacuate or Shelter

Following the hurricane preparedness checklist makes the leave-or-stay decision simpler. If your home is in a surge zone, a mobile home, or otherwise unsafe—or if officials order it—evacuate early. Set a destination now: family/friend out of zone, hotel on higher ground, or public shelter (check pet rules). If sheltering in place, choose an interior, windowless room on a low floor that is not flood-prone.

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist: During the Storm

Keep this hurricane preparedness checklist visible so everyone knows the next step.

Stay inside and away from windows; interior rooms/hallways are safer.
Never walk or drive through floodwater. Six inches can knock you over; one foot can move a car.
Keep the fridge/freezer closed to hold cold. Use coolers and frozen water jugs if available.
Conserve phone battery; text instead of calling; use a radio for local updates.

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist: After the Storm

Recovery has hidden dangers. Follow the hurricane preparedness checklist as you re-enter and clean up.

Downed lines: Treat all wires as live. Report hazards to your utility and call 911 if life-threatening.
Generator safety: Run outside, far from doors/windows/vents; never in garages or on porches. Use CO alarms.
Food safety: A closed refrigerator keeps safe temps for about 4 hours; a full freezer ≈48 hours, half-full ≈24 hours. Discard perishables above 40°F/4°C for more than 2 hours.
Water: Follow boil-water notices; disinfect with unscented household bleach only if advised.
Insurance: Photograph damage before moving items; keep receipts; contact your insurer ASAP.
Cleanup: Wear gloves, boots, and masks; ventilate; treat all wet materials as possibly contaminated; address mold quickly.

Forecasts, Watches, & Warnings (Know the Language)

Check the National Hurricane Center and your local NWS office. Here’s the short version:

Alert	Meaning	Lead Time	Your Action
Tropical Storm/Hurricane Watch	Conditions possible	~48 hours	Top up supplies; prepare to evacuate; secure home
Tropical Storm/Hurricane Warning	Conditions expected	~36 hours	Complete prep; evacuate if told; shelter if staying
Storm Surge Watch/Warning	Dangerous coastal inundation risk	~48–36 hours	Leave surge zones; move vehicles to higher ground

Power Outages & Generator Safety (Read This Twice)

Place generators outside, downwind, and at least 20 feet from doors/windows/vents. Carbon monoxide is odorless and deadly.
Use outdoor-rated cords; never back-feed a house; install a transfer switch to power circuits safely.
Store fuel in approved containers, away from living areas; cool the generator before refueling.
Prioritize medical devices and refrigeration. Consider small battery stations for phones and lights.

Water, Sanitation, & Health

Water needs: Minimum 1 gallon/person/day. Double in high heat, illness, or for babies and older adults.
Safe water: If advised, boil 1 minute (3 minutes above 6,500 ft) or disinfect per local guidance.
Hygiene: Handwashing prevents infection during cleanup. Use alcohol-based sanitizer when water is limited.
Mold: Dry wet materials within 24–48 hours. Wear an N95/respirator during mold cleanup; discard porous items that stay wet.

Documents, Money, & Digital Prep

Make photo/video inventory of rooms and key valuables; store in the cloud + an external drive.
Scan IDs, insurance, titles, medical summaries, and prescriptions; keep in a waterproof pouch and in the cloud.
Keep small bills for cash-only situations; ATMs and card systems can be offline.
Download offline maps; print routes; write down key contacts in case phones die.

Communication Plan (So Everyone Knows What to Do)

This hurricane preparedness checklist works best when everyone knows their role.

Pick two meeting places: nearby and out-of-area.
Share an out-of-state contact who can relay messages.
Assign roles: meds, pets, documents, power banks, shutoffs.
Plan two evacuation routes; keep the tank at least half full during the season.
Run a 10-minute drill; fix gaps you find.

Special Situations: Pets, Older Adults, Disabilities, High-Rises, Mobile Homes

Pets: Pack carriers/leashes, food/water, vaccination records, and a recent photo. Many shelters require proof of vaccines.
Older adults/disabilities: Keep medication lists, mobility aids, spare batteries/chargers, and caregiver contacts ready.
High-rise apartments: Interior hallways may be safer; elevators can fail—have a stair plan.
Mobile homes: Evacuate to a sturdier structure; high winds can be catastrophic.

Regional Notes (Gulf, Atlantic, Inland)

Use this hurricane preparedness checklist with local context in mind.

Coastal surge zones: Evacuate early; surge is a top killer. Move vehicles to higher ground.
Inland flooding: Rain bands can cause flash flooding far from the coast. Prepare for prolonged power outages and road closures.
Barrier islands: Evacuation routes can close quickly. Leave when local officials recommend—not when everyone else goes.

Myths to Ignore

“Crack a window to equalize pressure.” No. That increases flying-glass risk.
“The eye passed—storm is over.” The back side can be worse. Wait for the all-clear.
“Candles are fine during outages.” Open flames + shifting oxygen = fire risk. Use flashlights instead.

Printable Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

Print this hurricane preparedness checklist and keep it with your kit.

Before: Alerts on; evacuation zone known; family/pet plan; kit stocked (3–7 days); shutters/plywood ready; yard secured; gutters clear; vehicles fueled; data backed up; cash + documents ready.
During: Follow orders; shelter in interior room; avoid floodwater; keep fridge/freezer closed; monitor NOAA/NWS.
After: Treat downed lines as live; generator outside; food safety checks; follow boil-water notices; photograph damage; call insurer; clean with PPE; check on neighbors.

FAQs

How much water should I store? Start with 1 gallon (3.8 L) per person per day for at least 3 days; double for heat, babies, and medical needs. Pets need extra. This hurricane preparedness checklist uses that baseline.

What foods work best? Ready-to-eat cans/pouches, nut butters, dried fruit, shelf-stable milk, oats, and energy bars—things you already eat so rotation is easy.

Where should I shelter at home? In an interior, windowless room on a low floor that is not flood-prone; away from exterior walls and glass.

How far from the house should I run a generator? Outside and well away from doors, windows, and vents—aim for 20+ feet—and never in a garage or carport. Use CO alarms.

How do I keep food safe without power? Keep the fridge closed (≈4 hours safe). A full freezer ≈48 hours; half-full ≈24 hours. Discard perishables above 40°F/4°C for more than 2 hours.

Do I need flood insurance? Many homeowner policies exclude flood damage. Ask your agent about the NFIP and any waiting periods.

Helpful Links

Educational only; not medical or legal advice. Follow official orders; call 911 (or your local number) for emergencies.

By following this hurricane preparedness checklist, families can act early, stay safer during the storm, and recover faster after it.

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist 2025: Essential Safety Steps Before, During & After

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