Hurricane season runs June through November. This guide covers the full timeline from pre-season planning to post-storm recovery.

August Mid-Season Check (Do This Weekend)

We're past the June baseline — if you haven't finished prep, prioritize these before the next named storm:

• Water: 1 gallon × person × 3 days minimum (fill containers now, not 24h before landfall)
• NOAA radio: test batteries and know your county frequency
• Documents: waterproof pouch with insurance, IDs, medical records
• Evacuation zone: look up your surge zone letter (A/B/C) at fema.gov/flood-maps
• Generator plan: outdoor-only, 20+ ft from windows — never garage or porch

Kit shopping guide: Best Emergency Kit for Family of 4

5 Hurricane Prep Mistakes We See Every August

1. Waiting for the cone to shrink — plywood, gas, and hotel rooms disappear 72h out
2. No cash — card networks fail when power is out for days
3. Single evacuation route — plan A and B; I-75 and US-19 gridlock early
4. Forgotten medications — pack 7-day supply in go-bag, not medicine cabinet only
5. Underestimating storm surge — wind gets headlines; surge causes most fatalities

72 Hours Before Landfall

• Fill vehicle gas tank and charge all devices
• Store 1 gallon water per person per day (3-day minimum)
• Test NOAA weather radio
• Photograph home and belongings for insurance
• Know your evacuation zone and route

See our detailed Hurricane Prep Checklist guide for room-by-room steps.

Home Hardening

• Install plywood or storm shutters over windows
• Clear gutters and yard debris
• Bring outdoor furniture inside
• Trim branches overhanging the roof

Go-Bag Essentials

• Cash, IDs, insurance documents (waterproof pouch)
• Medications (7-day supply)
• N95 masks, first aid kit
• Phone charger and battery bank
• Pet carriers and pet food

After the Storm

• Avoid downed power lines and standing floodwater
• Run generators outdoors only, 20+ feet from windows
• Document damage with photos before cleanup
• Boil water if boil-water advisories are issued

Evacuation vs. Shelter-in-Place Decision

When in doubt during surge warnings, evacuate early — traffic on I-75, I-10, and US-19 can gridlock 48 hours before landfall.

Insurance & Documentation (Do This Now)

• Photograph every room and high-value item
• Store copies of policies in waterproof pouch + cloud backup
• Understand your hurricane deductible — often 2–5% of home value, separate from standard deductible
• Flood insurance is not included in standard homeowners — requires separate NFIP policy

Pet & Special Needs Planning

• Pre-identify pet-friendly shelters — most public shelters do not accept pets
• Pack 7-day pet food, medications, carrier, and vaccination records
• Register with county special needs registries if you require powered medical equipment
• Backup power for CPAP (minimum 1,000Wh station) if sheltering in place

Bottom Line

The best hurricane prep happens before the first named storm. Start with water, radio, and documents — then build from there each weekend.

Updated August 2026

<<<<<<< Updated upstream The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is already off to an active start, with four named storms forming before August and NOAA’s updated outlook calling for above-average activity through November. But this year, the standard advice isn’t enough. Several key changes in technology, local infrastructure, and gear expectations mean last year’s checklist needs a serious refresh. Here’s what to update this month:

• Re-enable Wireless Emergency Alerts after the August firmware update. Both iOS and Android rolled out WEA 3.0 in early August, expanding alerts from 90 to 360 characters and adding suggested actions like "Leave now" or "Shelter in place." However, many users found the update silently turned off government alerts. Go to your notification settings, confirm "Government Alerts" is on, and disable "Do Not Disturb" for alerts. Also turn on "Test alerts" so you can verify reception during the monthly FEMA test.

• Test your solar panel with a USB power meter. Newer panels from mainstream brands are reaching 23% efficiency, but a year of UV exposure can degrade output by 20% or more. Plug a USB meter between the panel and your power bank, test in full sun, and replace if it delivers less than 80% of rated capacity. While you’re at it, check your power bank’s age — after three years, typical capacity drops to half.

• Re-learn your county’s reverse-lane evacuation entry points. For 2026, several coastal counties relocated the on-ramps for contraflow lanes and installed new signs. The entrance you used in 2024 may now be closed or moved. Check your county emergency management website for the latest map, print it out, and keep it in your glove box. Don’t rely on GPS once you’re on the highway — networks get congested and towers can go down.

• Swap out collapsible water jugs and expired bottled water. Most collapsible 3-gallon containers are made of polyethylene that begins breaking down after six months. Check the manufacturer date on each container and replace any older than a year. Also write the replacement date on every bottle of stored water and rotate out anything more than 12 months old.

• Download FEMA’s updated Financial First Aid Kit (version 2.0). Released in June 2026, this fillable PDF now includes sections for digital assets, insurance policy numbers, medical records, and evacuation cost tracking. Save a copy to cloud storage and print a hard copy to keep in your hurricane kit.

What changed versus generic advice: Most standard checklists tell you to "review your alerts" or "check your gear," but they miss that the August system update disabled alerts on many phones, that reverse-lane signage has physically moved, and that solar panels degrade even when stored properly. Generic advice also assumes your water containers last indefinitely — they don’t. These are the specific, season-specific updates that could make the difference when the next storm is named.

For a full breakdown of the new evacuation maps and what they mean for your zone, see our related guide.

We're now in the heart of hurricane season, and the pieces you set up in May need a seasonal refresh. Conditions, alert formats, and local infrastructure change month to month. Use the items below to close gaps before the next storm develops.

1. Confirm your updated evacuation zone and route. The Aug. 1 flood map updates moved several counties in Texas, Florida, and the Carolinas into higher-risk categories. Even if your zone didn't change, the DOT has revised bridge closure schedules and lift operations. Open your county's 'Know Your Zone' page, enter your address, and compare it to last year's card. Print a paper map of your primary and alternate routes and put it in your glovebox.

2. Test your backup power system with the 2026 NEC code. If you rely on an EV or hybrid for home backup, a permanently installed transfer switch or interlock is now required — not an extension cord. Verify your vehicle's output rating, match it to your inlet and inverter, and label the breaker. Run a test charge and hookup with everyone in the household so no one fumbles in the dark. For gas generators, run it for 30 minutes under load and replace stale fuel.

3. Verify your flood insurance policy and waiting period. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. After the Aug. 1 map changes, you may now be in a Special Flood Hazard Area. If you haven't bought a policy yet, do it today — it takes 30 days to become effective, which could put you in coverage for a late-season storm. Also check that your policy covers contents and temporary housing.

4. Reconfigure your alerting for the new EVI/SPI codes. As of June 1, 2026, NOAA Weather Radio and many smartphone alerts use the EVI (evacuation ordered) and SPI (shelter-in-place) codes. Radios sold before 2026 may display only a generic warning. Check your manual; if it doesn't decode these codes, replace it. Reprogram the FIPS codes for your county and adjacent counties, then test the alarm weekly. Turn on satellite texting on your phone if you haven't already — it works only if pre-configured and tested outdoors.

5. Rotate water and food to 14 days. Peak-season storms move fast, and store shelves empty 36 hours before landfall. Replace any water stored since spring with fresh container-stamped water or treat it yourself. Write a fill date on every jug and set a reminder to rotate every six months (or sooner if stored in a hot garage). Check expiration dates on canned goods and energy bars and donate unaffected items.

What changed versus generic advice: Most checklists simply repeat the same 'buy water and batteries' list, assuming conditions from last year still apply. This season, the changes are structural: flood zones shifted, weather alert codes were upgraded to a new format, and the National Electrical Code now requires a certified transfer switch for EV backup power. These are not supply items you can stock in a cart — they require action, verification, and practice. That's why the refresh above focuses on zone verification, policy updates, code compliance, and communication tests before the next storm forms.

For a full gear list that meets the new codes, check the 2026 Hurricane Kit Gear List. After you finish these steps, run a maintenance check: replace dead batteries, confirm your radio's FIPS codes, and re-test your satellite text link. Stay ready.

Stashed changes