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Hurricane Preparedness Guide 2024
Prepare your home and protect yourself from a hurricane.Written by Caitlin Ritchie
Edited by Jamie Cesanek
Last updated 08/19/2024
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Key Points
- Hurricane season in the U.S. runs from June to November and reaches its peak between August and October.
- It is wise to prepare your home in advance if you live in an area prone to hurricanes and tropical storms.
- Start preparing an emergency kit and create a plan of action at the beginning of the season before a storm arrives.
2024 hurricane season predictions
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a highly active hurricane season in 2024. Based on the NOAA’s predictions, the 2024 hurricane season will include 17–24 named storms, 8–13 hurricanes, and between four and seven major hurricanes.
Depending on the type of storm, you can expect the following:
- Named storm: Winds of 39 mph or higher
- Hurricane: Winds of 74 mph or higher
- Major hurricane: Category 3, 4, or 5 hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher
The NOAA expects above-normal hurricane activity this year because of several factors, including near-record warm temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and La Nina conditions in the Pacific Ocean.
Image courtesy of noaa.gov
2023 hurricane season lookback
In 2023, the NOAA predicted a near-normal hurricane season. However, the 2023 hurricane season was more active than expected, ranking fourth for the most named storms in a year. Here’s how the predictions compared to the actual hurricane activity in 2023.
| Prediction | Actuality |
|---|---|
| Named Storms: 12–17 | Named Storms: 20 |
| Hurricanes: 5–9 | Hurricanes: 7 |
| Major Hurricanes: 1–4 | Major Hurricanes: 3 |
Hurricane terminology
Unlike some natural disasters, such as earthquakes, residents usually know a hurricane is coming in advance. The NOAA issues warnings and forecasts to help communities prepare for approaching storms. The first step to being prepared is understanding hurricane weather reports. Here’s the difference between a hurricane watch, warning, named storm, and major hurricane.
- Hurricane watch: An area may see hurricane conditions in the next 48 hours.
- Hurricane warning: A community will see sustained winds of 74 mph or higher in the next 36 hours.
- Named storm: This is a storm that causes winds of 39 mph or higher. Storms are reclassified as hurricanes when wind speeds reach 74 mph or higher.
- Major hurricane: These hurricanes fall into Categories 3–5 on the wind scale, with five being the highest. Major hurricanes are capable of causing extreme damage, including uprooted trees, flooding, downed power lines, extended power outages, and even home destruction.
How to prepare for a hurricane
Preparing for a hurricane starts with preventative measures that will make it easier to be ready quickly when storms arrive.
| Action | Why |
|---|---|
| Create an emergency kit | Include essential supplies you may need to survive for a few days, plus a list of emergency contact phone numbers. |
| Buy surge protectors | Surge protectors make it easy to switch the electricity off for devices and appliances. |
| Designate a safe room | Choose an interior room without windows where everyone can gather during a storm. |
| Know your building | Speak with your landlord about the power-outage protocol for apartments or condos with elevators or key card door entry systems. If you have a garage, make sure you know how to open it manually. |
| Prepare the yard | Remove any dead trees or weak branches that could fall during high winds. |
| Inspect the roof | Ensure your roof is in good condition and capable of keeping water out. |
| Optional: Install hurricane-proof windows and shutters. | This home upgrade can protect the interior and exterior of your home from storm wreckage. |
Prepare a hurricane emergency kit
It’s always a good idea to have an emergency kit in your home, especially during hurricane season. Your kit should include everything your household needs to survive for at least 72 hours. This list is a small selection of everything you could include in your kit — these essentials will vary depending on the needs of the members of your household. See the Department of Homeland Security’s emergency supply list for more options.
- Clean water: Tap water may be unsafe to drink after extreme weather. Keep one gallon of water per person per day for emergencies.
- Non-perishable food: Stock up on canned goods, dried fruits, and other long-lasting items. Remember to include infant formula and food for pets, if necessary.
- Backup power: Have extra batteries and chargers for phones and flashlights available. If you have a generator, you can use this for essential appliances.
- Prescription medications: Store essentials in a dry, sealed container.
- First aid kit: Ensure you have gauze, bandages, tweezers, alcohol swabs, and other sterile items.
- Sleeping bags and pillows: Seal bedding in a waterproof bag.
- Clean clothes: Set aside at least one outfit per family member.
- Cash: ATMs and card readers may be down.
- Whistle or flares: Have items to help you get someone’s attention.
- Face masks: Bring masks for everyone ages two and above and soap and hand sanitizer, as needed.
What to do when there is a hurricane watch
| Action | Why |
|---|---|
| Charge all necessary devices | Charge your cell phones, laptops, headphones, or necessary medical equipment, like a portable oxygen tank. |
| Ensure backup power sources can operate safely | In the event of a power outage, never use a gas-powered generator inside your home. |
| Have flashlights easily accessible | Ensure you have fresh batteries and backups in your emergency kit. |
| Freeze containers of water | Use recycled juice or soda bottles for extra containers to freeze water in case of a power outage. |
| Set your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest temperature | Keep the door to your fridge and freezer closed as much as possible. Food will stay fresh for as long as possible if the power goes out. |
What to do when there is a hurricane warning
| Action | Why |
|---|---|
| Bring patio furniture inside | Minimize the risk of dangerous debris blowing around. But remember to do this early on or not at all — do not go outside if the wind gets too strong. |
| Locate pets | Make sure all family pets are safe and inside your home. |
| Unplug appliances and large electronics | Protect your devices from electrical surges and floodwater. |
| Prepare your safe room | Gather all family members and ensure your essential supplies are in the same room. |
What not to do during a hurricane
As with any emergency, there are several things you absolutely should not do during a hurricane. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends you stay away from all bodies of water and avoid stepping in puddles because “floodwater and standing waters can be dangerous and can make you vulnerable to infectious diseases, chemical hazards, and injuries.”
Be especially careful in areas near downed power lines or damaged electrical equipment. During a hurricane, you may notice a period of calm. Do not go outside until you have confirmation that the storm is actually over. Additionally, don’t drink tap water until you have heard from local authorities that it is safe to consume.
How to prepare your emergency kit for hurricanes
It’s always a good idea to have an emergency kit in your home, especially during hurricane season. Your kit should include everything your household needs to survive for at least 72 hours. This list is a small selection of everything you could include in your kit, but these essentials will vary depending on the needs of the members of your household. See the Department of Homeland Security’s emergency supply list for more options.
- Clean water: Tap water may be unsafe to drink after extreme weather. Keep one gallon of water per person per day for emergencies.
- Non-perishable food: Stock up on canned goods, dried fruits, and any other long-lasting items. Don’t forget infant formula, if necessary, or food for pets.
- Backup power: Have extra batteries and chargers for phones and flashlights available. If you have a generator, you can use this for essential appliances.
- Prescription medications: Store essentials in a dry, sealed container.
- First aid kit: Ensure you have gauze, bandages, tweezers, alcohol swabs, and other sterile items.
- Sleeping bags and pillows: Seal bedding in a waterproof bag.
- Clean clothes: Set aside at least one outfit per family member.
- Cash: ATMs and card readers may be down.
- Whistle or flares: Have items to help you get someone’s attention.
- Face masks: Bring masks for everyone ages two and above and soap and hand sanitizer, as needed.
Important documents you will need after a hurricane
Besides the emergency kit essentials listed above, you will also want to gather important documents you may need in the aftermath of a natural disaster. David Lipton, a certified industrial hygienist (CIH) with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, offers this advice regarding disaster preparedness.
“Every time a person affected by a disaster tries to get assistance (insurance companies, state, or federal government), they will get a different customer service agent. You need to take and keep notes in one place with the who, what, when, where, and whys. Record every expense and every action you take.”
Lipton advises keeping a notebook and pen handy to take notes and recommends having an inventory of your personal property, including medical documents, in a waterproof container or saved on a flash drive. Collect the following details ahead of time for yourself and anyone in your household.
- Proof of residence, such as a utility bill or mortgage statement. Without proof of residence, you may not be able to get back into your home after the storm to assess the damage.
- Home and auto insurance cards.
- Personal contact list of people to get in touch with in an emergency. Remember, without power, the contact list in your cellphone may be inaccessible, so having a hard copy of your family and friends’ contact information is crucial.
- Prescriptions or doctors’ orders. Include a written description of your medical needs and your doctor’s contact information in case you cannot communicate in an emergency.
- Allergy list and applicable health history.
- Health insurance cards, including Medicare or Medicaid, and medical alert tags.
- Information on any support devices you use (such as an oxygen tank). Be sure to include the serial numbers or style of any necessary devices.
What to do during a power outage after a hurricane
Category 1 to 3 hurricanes may not cause extreme damage to your home or property but can cause power outages. Dealing with a temporary blackout differs from enduring an extended power outage. When the power grid is down for a long time, cooking, hygiene, and entertainment can require some unfamiliar solutions. The following tips can help you during a power outage. Visit our power outage guide for more information on what to do when your power goes out.
NEVER use a grill, generator, or camping stove in your home, basement, garage, or carport. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), grills, generators, and stoves should be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from any window, door, or vent. This precaution is to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur from breathing in the fumes from items that burn fuel. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, and poisoning from it can occur in less than five minutes. Warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion, according to the CDC. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911 immediately. With these precautions in mind, you can heat food with charcoal or propane grills during a power outage. You can also use a camping stove or even an outdoor fire pit. Try to eat perishable food before your pantry items. Food in your refrigerator will stay cold for about four hours, and items in the freezer for about 24 hours. Opening the doors as little as possible will help keep the cold inside longer.
The bottom line on hurricane preparedness
Throughout the 2024 hurricane season, pay attention to weather alerts, regardless of what you see outside your window. Prepare now to keep yourself and your family safe later. Visit the National Hurricane Center for current alerts and more information on staying safe during a hurricane, tropical storm, or cyclone.
Hurricane and power outage FAQs
The National Hurricane Center and the NOAA are both credible resources for information about hurricanes. Check these resources for details about the 2024 hurricane forecast, the areas that could be affected by a hurricane, and the timeline for when a storm may make landfall.
If you experience a power outage, contact your utility company to report the outage and to receive information about when your service will be restored. Your utility company is responsible for maintaining electrical infrastructure and responding to power outages, regardless of whether you live in a deregulated energy market. The utility — not your provider — will handle power outages.
If you live in a region that isn’t normally impacted by hurricanes, your preparations may look a little different. For example, it may not be necessary to install hurricane shutters and windows on your home. However, you should still create an emergency plan and preparedness kit, which can come in handy during major storms and other emergencies.