How to Prepare Your Home for Hurricane Season
A step-by-step guide to hurricane prep — what to do weeks before, days before, and the day of, so you're not scrambling when a storm is on the radar.
The worst time to prepare for a hurricane is when one is in the forecast. Plywood is sold out. Water is gone. Everyone is doing in 48 hours what should have been done in 48 days.
Hurricane season runs June through November. If you live anywhere along the Gulf Coast, Atlantic Coast, or Caribbean, this guide breaks down exactly what to do — and when to do it.
Weeks before: the structural stuff
These are the things that take time, money, or both. Don’t wait until a storm is named.
Inspect your roof. Look for loose or missing shingles, cracked flashing, or gaps around vents. A roof that leaks in normal rain will fail in hurricane winds. Get repairs done before June.
Clear your gutters and drains. Clogged gutters cause water to pool on your roof and overflow against your foundation. Clean them out and make sure downspouts direct water away from the house.
Trim trees and remove dead branches. That dead limb hanging over your roof isn’t a problem until 80 mph winds turn it into one. Cut back anything that could hit your house, power lines, or windows.
Know your windows. If you have hurricane shutters, test them. If you don’t, measure every window now and pre-cut plywood panels. Label each panel with the window it fits. Trying to measure and cut plywood during a hurricane watch is chaos.
Check your insurance. Read your policy. Standard homeowner’s insurance usually does not cover flood damage — you need a separate flood policy, and there’s typically a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect. Don’t find this out after the storm.
Days before: supplies and planning
A storm is in the forecast. Now it’s about supplies and logistics.
Water. One gallon per person per day for at least 3 days. A family of four needs a minimum of 12 gallons. Buy it early — water sells out first.
Food. Non-perishable, no-cook items: canned goods (with a manual can opener), peanut butter, crackers, dried fruit, granola bars. Enough for 3-5 days.
Medications. Refill prescriptions now. Pharmacies may be closed for days after a storm.
Cash. ATMs and card readers don’t work without power. Get $200-300 in small bills.
Gas. Fill your car’s tank and any approved gas containers. Gas stations lose power too.
Electronics. Charge everything — phones, laptops, portable battery packs. Download offline maps in case cell service drops.
The day before: final prep
The storm is coming. This is your last window.
Bring everything inside. Patio furniture, grills, potted plants, trash cans, lawn decorations — anything that can become a projectile in high winds.
Install shutters or plywood. Cover all windows and glass doors.
Fill bathtubs with water. Not for drinking — for flushing toilets if you lose water pressure.
Move valuables up. If flooding is possible, move important documents, electronics, and irreplaceable items to the highest floor.
Know your evacuation zone. If officials issue an evacuation order for your zone, leave. Have a route planned and a destination in mind. Don’t wait for traffic to build.
After the storm
Don’t rush outside. Wait for official all-clear announcements. Watch for downed power lines, standing water (which may be electrically charged), and structural damage. Document everything with photos before you start cleanup — your insurance company will need them.
Build your checklist now
The best hurricane prep happens in May, not August. If you want a structured way to work through all of this, HooReady has a detailed hurricane preparedness scenario with every item prioritized, organized by phase, and checkable so you can track your progress. It’s free, no account needed, and it beats a sticky note on the fridge.