Essential Hurricane Preparedness Tips Everyone Should Know

Many of us have certain home essentials that we must always keep on hand – water, laundry detergent, shampoo, tissues, toilet paper – all basic sundries that we can't imagine running out of. Yet, there aren't many households that keep an emergency kit or extra supplies in the event of an actual emergency. Some households don't think they'll need any emergency preparations, while others might need more than just a bit of planning. It may be challenging to know exactly what to expect. Tips you should know to prepare for hurricane season should keep you prepared regardless of where you live.

Every year during hurricane season, from June 1st through November 30th, homes and cities across the Eastern seaboard are susceptible to damaging winds, rains, and everything else these storms bring. NOAA predicts that the 2024 hurricane season will be more active than usual. These predictions include a forecast of 17 to 25 total storms and a prediction that at least eight of those storms may become hurricanes. (Check out How to Tell the Difference Between a Hurricane and a Tornado.)

To create this list of tips you should know to prepare for hurricane season, 24/7 Tempo consulted numerous sources including the National Weather Service, the American Red Cross, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA.) We also reviewed Reddit threads and other discussion boards for some of the best preparation tips. Here are 10 hurricane preparation tips to help you prepare for the 2024 hurricane season.

If you have family or friends in an area that won't be affected by the storm, contact them ahead of time and make plans to stay with them if evacuation is necessary. The Department of Transportation near you will also be able to provide information on evacuation routes in your area.

If you have pets, it's important to have a plan for them as well. Not all emergency shelters allow pets so you'll want to have a plan for what to do with your furry friends if you have to take your family to an emergency shelter.

What you put in your kit may depend on your location and situation. Some examples of things to include are flashlights, batteries, and first aid supplies. The National Weather Service has a full list of what to include on its website.

You might also want to buy bottled water and non-perishable snacks for when you're waiting out the storm. Additionally, make sure you fill your gas tank ahead of time to avoid long lines at the gas station before a storm.

Also, the evacuation zones are typically based on which areas are most likely to be affected by the storm. Understanding your zone can help identify the level of risk in your area and how likely you are to get flooding and storm surges near your home.

This is vital if you're a homeowner. There are certain aspects of your insurance that you'll want to check, such as your deductible and what your policy limit is. Even if you're not a homeowner, you may want to check up on your renter's and car insurance.

If you need to apply for aid due to a natural disaster, having an inventory will expedite the process and help you get the aid you need. Take pictures of any assets you have, including your property if you're a homeowner.

If possible, find one that focuses on sharing practical information instead of spreading unnecessary fear. Then you'll know exactly what to do and when to act if a hurricane is headed towards your area.

You can also sign up for alerts directly through the National Weather Service or through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, also known as FEMA. This will allow you to stay on top of any updates while you determine what to do to keep your family safe.

Preparation should also include boarding up your windows to prevent them from breaking and using sandbags to prevent any water from getting into your home if there is flooding. (To learn more about the weather, check out The Average Summer Temperature Every Decade Since 1895.)