Hurricane prep checklist for your home

A hurricane tests every weak spot in a house at once: windows, roof edges, gutters, anything loose in the yard and low spots where water collects. The good news is that most of the prep work can be done calmly, weeks ahead. NOAA's Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, so spring is the ideal time to get ready.

The early-season items take a weekend. The storm-is-coming items take a few hours, which is why it helps to have materials bought and cut in advance. Follow your local officials and the National Hurricane Center for forecasts, and leave right away if you are told to evacuate.

Early in the season

• Review your insurance Ready.gov notes standard homeowners policies usually don't cover flooding. Ask your agent about a separate flood policy.
• Photograph and video every room and your valuables FEMA's FloodSmart program suggests recording major items and their serial numbers for any future claim.
• Put important papers in a waterproof, fireproof box Ready.gov also recommends password-protected digital copies stored off-site or in the cloud.
• Get shutters ready or cut plywood for windows Test-fit shutters now and label plywood by window so you are not measuring with a storm coming.
• Know how to shut off water and electricity See find your water shutoff and read your breaker panel. Record them on our emergency card.
• Trim dead or weak branches near the house Hire a tree service for anything large, high or near power lines.
• Stock several days of food, water, medicine and pet supplies Ready.gov recommends having supplies for several days.
• Learn your evacuation zone and route Plan where you would go and how you would get there.

When a storm is forecast

• Install shutters or board up windows Ready.gov lists covering or reinforcing windows as a key step to protect your home.
• Clear gutters and yard drains Blocked gutters dump water against the foundation. See clean gutters safely.
• Bring in or tie down outdoor furniture, grills, planters and toys Anything loose can become a missile in high wind.
• Place sandbags at low doorways if your area floods The Army Corps of Engineers advises filling bags one-half to two-thirds full and overlapping them. They slow water but don't make a watertight seal.
• Move valuables and electronics off the floor Put them up high in case water gets in.
• Charge phones and power banks Plan to text rather than call; Ready.gov notes phone lines often get overloaded.
• Turn the fridge and freezer to their coldest settings Keep the doors shut. Ready.gov says a closed fridge stays cold about 4 hours and a full freezer about 48.
• Fuel the generator and set up its outdoor spot The CPSC says outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the house, with exhaust aimed away from windows, doors and vents.

Generator safety

• Never run a generator inside That includes garages, basements, sheds, porches and carports. The CPSC warns open doors and windows do not let enough CO out.
• Have working CO alarms with battery backup Test them before the storm. If one sounds, get outside and call 911.
• Never plug a generator into a wall outlet FEMA warns this back-feeds the power lines. Use heavy-duty cords straight to appliances, or a transfer switch installed by an electrician.
• Turn it off and let it cool before refueling Store fuel in approved containers away from the house.

After the storm

• Go home only when officials say it is safe Roads, bridges and power may still be dangerous.
• Treat every downed power line as live Stay away and report it to the power company or 911. FEMA warns lines can hide under branches and debris.
• Stay out of floodwater Ready.gov warns that about 6 inches of moving water can knock you down and about a foot can carry away a car. It can also hide live wires and sewage.
• Don't enter a flooded building while the power is on Never touch the breaker panel while standing in water. Call an electrician.
• Have flooded wiring and appliances checked before use FEMA advises a licensed electrician inspect wiring and a qualified technician check heating equipment that got wet.
• If you smell gas, leave and call from outside See what to do if you smell gas.
• Photograph all damage before cleanup Then file your insurance claim and register with FEMA if assistance is offered in your area.
• Be wary of storm-chasing contractors Check licenses and avoid big upfront payments. See contractor red flags.

Set an early-season reminder on your phone with our free maintenance calendar. When it is time for shutters, roof repair or storm cleanup, we can match you with a licensed local pro.

Common questions

When is hurricane season?

NOAA's Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. The best time to prepare your home is before June, when supplies are easy to find and there is no rush.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding from a hurricane?

Usually not. Ready.gov notes that standard homeowners policies typically don't cover flooding, so you may need a separate flood policy. Ask your agent what your policy covers before the season starts.

Can I plug my generator into a wall outlet to power the house?

No. That can send power back into the lines and endanger utility crews and neighbors. FEMA says to plug appliances directly into the generator or have an electrician install a transfer switch.

Sources

• Ready.gov: Be prepared for a hurricane
• NOAA: 2026 Atlantic hurricane season outlook
• CPSC: Generator and CO safety tips
• FEMA: Guidance for turning the power back on

Related

• How to clean gutters safely
• Find your main water shutoff before you need it
• Summer home maintenance checklist
• Contractor red flags