Before the storm: days ahead
- Fill your car's gas tank and stock cash before crowds hit
- Store at least two weeks of water and non-perishable food
- Charge every device and buy backup power banks and batteries
- Know your evacuation zone and route before an order is issued
Protect your home
Board or shutter windows, bring in or secure anything the wind can throw, and clear gutters and drains. If you have a generator, test it now and confirm you can run it safely outdoors, far from windows.
When to evacuate
If officials issue a mandatory evacuation, leave early — roads clog fast and storm surge is the deadliest part of a hurricane. Take your go-bag, documents, medications, and pets. Never wait to 'see how bad it gets.'
During landfall
- Stay indoors in an interior room away from windows
- Keep a radio on for updates if power and cell service fail
- Do not go outside during the eye — the calm is temporary
After the storm
Watch for downed power lines, flooded roads, and contaminated water. Don't wade through floodwater. Document damage with photos before cleanup for your insurance claim.
Get hurricane-ready before the season
Hurricane readiness is easiest to build in the calm months. Prepit factors your coastal risk and home setup into your score and gives you a checklist to complete well before the first watch is issued.