As the world grapples with the increasing severity of hurricanes due to a warming climate, it is more important than ever to know how to prepare for extreme weather. Understanding the what is behind these natural disasters and knowing how to prepare might just help keep you alive when SHTF. So in this 5 minute read, we’ve created the ultimate Hurricane Preparation Checklist – to help you get ready to face BIG WEATHER whenever it hits, and keep your loved ones safe. Ready for hurricane preparedness 101?

10 terrifying hurricane statistics you should know

If you need some motivation to get cracking on your hurricane preparedness, here’s 10 hurricane statistics to raise the hairs on the back of your neck :

1. Hurricanes or cyclones?: Hurricanes are cyclones that occur in the  North Atlantic, central North Pacific, and Eastern North Pacific Oceans.
2. Frequency: On average, 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes occur each year in the Atlantic basin (where hurricanes form and travel from).
3. Costliest Hurricane: Hurricane Katrina (2005) is the costliest hurricane in U.S. history, causing an estimated $160 billion in damage.
4. Deadliest Hurricane: The Great Galveston Hurricane (1900) is the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history, with an estimated 8,000 to 12,000 deaths.
5. Most Active Season: The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active on record, with 30 named storms, 13 hurricanes, and 6 major hurricanes.
6. Category 5 Hurricanes: Only 4 Category 5 hurricanes have made landfall in the United States since records began: the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, Hurricane Camille (1969), Hurricane Andrew (1992), and Hurricane Michael (2018).
7. Storm Surge: Storm surge is often the most deadly aspect of a hurricane. Hurricane Katrina (2005) produced a storm surge of up to 28 feet along the Mississippi coast.
8. Rainfall: Hurricanes can produce extreme rainfall. Hurricane Harvey (2017) set a record for tropical cyclone rainfall in the United States, with 60.58 inches recorded near Nederland, Texas.
9. Wind Speed: The highest sustained wind speed recorded at landfall in the United States was 185 mph during the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane in the Florida Keys.
10. Tornadoes: Hurricanes often spawn tornadoes. Hurricane Ivan (2004) spawned 117 tornadoes in the United States, the most ever produced by a tropical cyclone.

Where are the hurricane zones in the US?

Should you be preparing for hurricanes?

Hurricanes can affect any of the states along the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf of Mexico. If you live in any of these 12 states most commonly affected by hurricanes – it’s time for some hurricane safety tips:

1. Florida: Florida is the state most frequently hit by hurricanes. It is particularly vulnerable due to its extensive coastline and location on a peninsula.
2. Texas: Texas is another state frequently affected by hurricanes, particularly along its Gulf Coast.
3. North Carolina: North Carolina is often impacted by hurricanes making landfall or passing by its coast.
4. Louisiana: Louisiana, particularly the New Orleans area, is highly susceptible to hurricanes and storm surges.
5. South Carolina: South Carolina is also frequently impacted by hurricanes.
6. Georgia: The coast of Georgia is susceptible to hurricanes, although they are less frequent here than in some other states.
7. Virginia: Coastal Virginia is at risk of hurricanes, particularly the Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore areas.
8. Maryland: Maryland, particularly the Eastern Shore, is at risk of hurricanes.
9. New York: While less common, hurricanes can and have impacted New York, particularly Long Island and New York City.
10. New Jersey: New Jersey is also at risk of hurricanes, particularly along its Atlantic coast.
11. Alabama: The Gulf Coast of Alabama is at risk of hurricanes.
12. Mississippi: Mississippi, particularly its Gulf Coast, is at risk of hurricanes.

Other states along the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico, such as Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine, can also be affected by hurricanes, but they are less common in these areas.

Don’t live in any of these states? Well, you’re not out of the completely woods. Hurricanes can cause inland impacts too, such as heavy rainfall and flooding, in states that are not directly on the coast.

What causes hurricanes to form?

Several factors contribute to the occurrence of hurricanes in the US.

One of these factors is the presence of La Niña conditions in the Pacific Ocean. La Niña is a climate pattern characterized by cooler-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific. This pattern can lead to reduced wind shear, which is a crucial factor in hurricane development. With less wind shear, hurricanes have a better chance of forming and intensifying.

Other climate patterns, such as the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), can influence hurricane activity. The AMO is a natural climate cycle that affects sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic. When the AMO is in its positive phase, which it is in 2023, it can help hurricanes to develop. This, combined with the overall warming of the oceans due to climate change, creates the conditions for stronger hurricanes.

How is climate change affecting hurricanes?

Hurricanes have been becoming more powerful and destructive in recent years. Understanding the factors contributing to this increase can help us better prepare and mitigate their impact.

When it comes to the science behind more intense hurricanes, climate change plays a significant role.

The Earth’s climate is changing rapidly, and this has a direct impact on the severity of hurricanes. One of the key factors is rising sea temperatures. As global temperatures continue to increase, so do the temperatures of our oceans. This increase in sea temperature provides more energy for storms to form and intensify. The warmer the water, the more fuel there is for hurricanes to grow in strength and size.

But it’s not just the warmer sea temperatures that contribute to the increasing severity of hurricanes. Warmer air also plays a crucial role. As the atmosphere warms up, it can hold more moisture. This means that hurricanes have access to more water vapor, which can lead to increased rainfall during these storms. It’s this heavy and concentrated rainfall that can lead to flash flooding.

The combination of warmer sea temperatures and moister air creates the perfect conditions for hurricanes to become more intense and destructive.

Climate models suggest that as the Earth’s climate continues to warm, we can expect more frequent hurricanes too. The changing climate affects atmospheric conditions, such as wind patterns and atmospheric stability, which are crucial for hurricane formation and development.

While hurricane predictions provide valuable insights, they are not foolproof. A warming climate also makes weather patterns unpredictable. And with this the behavior of hurricanes can change rapidly.

With worsening and more unpredictable big weather, if you’re in a hurricane zone it’s time to get vigilant and prepared for all scenarios.

And that’s exactly what our Ultimate Hurricane Preparation Checklist aims to do.

The Ultimate Hurricane Preparation Checklist

Our Hurricane Preparation Checklist is one you can print out and stick on your fridge in hurricane season. It lists what to do, in order of importance, to prepare for a hurricane. Because when SHTF, who can think straight, let alone remember what preparations to take!

We explain more about each of these 5 headline steps, down below.

Our advice if you’ve read this far? Time is of the essence when it comes to hurricane preparedness.

Don’t leave it until a hurricane warning to complete this checklist! Most of the items on it can be ticked off well before there’s a whiff of a storm on the horizon.

1. Prepare your family

1. Create a Family Emergency Plan: Make sure everyone in the family knows what to do, where to go, and who to call in case of an emergency. Decide together whether you will shelter at home during a hurricane or evacuate to an emergency shelter.
2. Plan for Pets: Make arrangements for your pets. Most emergency shelters do not allow pets.
3. Identify a Safe Room: Choose a room in your home where everyone can gather during the hurricane. It should be a room without windows or with the least number of windows.
4. Teach Family Members How to Turn Off Utilities: Make sure everyone knows how to turn off the gas, water, and electricity in your home.
5. Prepare your car: Fill up your tank. Gas or fuel may be hard to come by in the days following the hurricane.
6. Stay Informed: Monitor weather updates and emergency instructions.

2. Prepare your home

7. Install Storm Shutters or board up windows: Install storm shutters to protect your windows from breaking.
8. Secure Outdoor Items: Secure outdoor items like furniture, decorations, and trash cans to prevent them from becoming projectiles.
9. Check Roof and Gutters: Make sure your roof is in good condition and your gutters are secure.
10. Prepare a Generator or Portable Power Station: In case of a power outage, having a generator or portable power station can be very helpful.
11. Elevate furniture and appliances: Elevate electrical appliances and utilities above potential flood levels.
12. Seal Windows and Doors: Make sure all windows and doors are sealed properly to prevent water from entering your home.

3. Prepare important documents

13. Create digital copies: Create digital copies of important documents like IDs, insurance policies, and bank account records.
14. Store hard copy originals in a waterproof container: Store important documents in a waterproof container.

4. Prepare your Hurricane Emergency Kit

You need a Hurricane Emergency Kit to cover 2 scenarios: 1) sheltering at home during a hurricane and 2) evacuating to a shelter. Here are 15 items to start you off:

15. Water: At least one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days.
16. Food: A three-day supply of non-perishable food.
17. Battery-powered or Hand Crank Radio: Preferably a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.
18. Flashlight: With extra batteries.
19. First Aid Kit: Include any necessary prescription medications.
20. Whistle: To signal for help.
21. Dust Mask: To help filter contaminated air.
22. Plastic Sheeting and Duct Tape: To shelter-in-place.
23. Moist Towelettes, Garbage Bags, and Plastic Ties: For personal sanitation.
24. Wrench or Pliers: To turn off utilities.
25. Manual Can Opener: For food.
26. Local Maps: In case GPS is not available.
27. Cell Phone with Chargers: Include a portable charger.
28. Cash: In case ATMs and credit card machines are not working.
29. Special Needs Items: For infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
30. Pet Supplies: Food, water, and other supplies for your pets.

Remember, the most important thing is to keep yourself and your family safe. Everything else can be replaced.

The devil is in the details – for hurricane preparation too

Preparing your Family Emergency / Evacuation Plan

It sounds like overkill. But it could save your life or the life of a family member. Because one thing we know about hurricanes is that they are frightening. And good decision making becomes very difficult when fear and panic set in.

And this is why making a Family Emergency Plan is a good idea. It take the stress out of the planning. All big decisions – about whether to evacuate, who’s going to pick up the kids, what will happen to the dogs – have been made.

So all you have to do if a hurricane is on the way is pull it out and run through it.

Here’s what to put in your emergency plan:

Creating a comprehensive family emergency plan for hurricanes is crucial for ensuring the safety of all family members. Here are key elements to include in your plan:

1. Emergency Contacts: List of important phone numbers including family, friends, and emergency services.
2. Evacuation Plan: Detailed plan on where to go if you evacuate. Include a list of nearby shelters, hotels, and the home of a friend or relative where you might stay.
3. Communication rules: Decide how you will communicate with each other if you get separated. Make sure every family member has a cell phone or a prepaid phone card.
4. Family roles: who will collect the kids? Who will fill up the gas tank? Who will grab and check the emergency kit?
5. Meeting Places: Decide on two places to meet if you get separated – one outside your home and one outside your neighborhood.
6. Special Needs: Plan for the special needs of any family members such as the elderly, disabled, or infants.
7. Home Safety: A reminder of what utilities to turn off like gas, water, and electricity.
8. Pet Plan: Plan for your pets. Most emergency shelters do not allow pets, so you will need to plan for where they will stay.

We’re not joking when we say it’s important to review and practice your plan once a year. Especailly if you have children. Making sure everyone knows where to go and what to do will keep you together and safe when the SHTF.

Preparing your home for a hurricane

A hurricane is a powerful and destructive force of nature that can cause significant damage to your home and property. Taking the necessary precautions to secure your home and its interior can help mitigate the cost of a hurricane to your family.

Because it’s such a large topic, we’ve authored an entire article on “How to prepare your home for a hurricane (what to have, know and do to stay safe’

Its a must-read guide on how to prepare for a hurricane at home – both inside and outside. It covers what you need to know about basic hurricane risks, and what supplies to have at home. There’s also guidance on what to do; during a hurricane, whether sheltering at home or evacuating, and the steps for post-hurricane recovery.

Preparing your Hurricane Emergency Kit

A well-stocked Hurricane Emergency Kit can make all the difference during and after a storm. So much so that it also deserves its own article – What supplies do you need to survive a hurricane?

The most important thing to know about your Hurricane Emergency Kit is that it needs to cover 2 scenarios:

1. Everything you need to evacuate to a shelter before a hurricane hits.
2. Everything you need to shelter at home during a hurricane.

For the first scenario we recommend backing a ‘Go Bag’.

For the second, take a look at our tailored Hurricane Emergency Kit. Which includes home emergency essentials like:

1. Non-perishable food
2. Toiletries and personal sanitation
3. Warmth and sleep
4. Backup power.
5. Space lighting
6. Tools and storage, and
7. Personal protection

Preparing important documents and cash

It’s after a hurricane that you’ll be glad you took this step.

When you need to contact your insurer, or prove your identity or family relationships for natural disaster assistance.

To make any of this happen, you’ll need proof. Documented proof. Of identity, marriage, insurance, bank accounts, home ownership etc etc.

So make copies of essential documents such as IDs, insurance policies, birth certificates, proof of address, and mortgage documents. Keep these copies in a secure location or store them digitally. It’s also a good idea to inform a trusted family member or friend about the location of these documents.

In addition to copies, consider having original documents stored in a waterproof container. This will provide an extra layer of protection in case of flooding or water damage.

Also, it’s wise to have some cash on hand as ATMs, EFTPOS and phone pay may not be accessible during power outages. We recommend $1000 per family, $600 per couple and $300 per individual.

Have various different notes and coins, as it may be challenging to get change during an emergency situation.

Supplementary Checklist: What to do in a hurricane

Complicated explanations are the last thing you need when you’re in a panic. Instead, brief and precise checklists will help keep you focused and calm. So to help out we have also included a really simple list of what to do in a hurricane.

Put this with your Hurricane Preparation Checklist, or don’t. It’s totally up to you!

The day before the hurricane:

1. Monitor Weather Updates: Stay informed about the hurricane’s path.
2. Follow your family emergency plan: Get your plan out and run through it with family members.
3. Follow Evacuation Orders: If authorities advise or order you to evacuate, do so promptly.
4. Double check your Emergency Kit: Make sure your emergency kit is up to date and ready to go.
5. Secure Your Home: Install storm shutters, secure outdoor items, and seal windows and doors.
6. Charge Your Devices and prepare your backup power: Make sure all your devices are fully charged.
7. Inform Friends or Family Member: Let someone outside of the storm area know your plans.

During the Hurricane:

1. Stay Indoors: Do not go outside during the storm.
2. Stay Away from Windows: Stay in your safe room and away from windows.
3. Shelter in an internal room:
4. Monitor Weather Updates: Keep yourself informed about the storm’s progress.
5. Use Flashlights: Do not use candles as they can cause a fire.

After the Hurricane:

1. Wait for the All Clear: Do not go outside until authorities say it is safe.
2. Be Cautious: Watch out for debris and downed power lines.
3. Check on Neighbors: Especially those who are elderly or may need assistance.
4. Document Damage: Take photos of any damage to your home for insurance purposes.
5. Follow Official Instructions: Follow any instructions from authorities regarding safe drinking water, food, and returning home.

Recap

As we all face the increasing severity of hurricanes due to climate change, we want you to know what’s behind these natural disasters so you can prepare for them. You now have a handy Hurricane Preparation Checklist to get started. A list that covers everything from preparing your family and home to creating a emergency plan, preparing your documents, and assembling a Hurricane Emergency Kit. And to keep it simple, we’ve also set out what to do before, during, and after a hurricane. Everything you need to stay safe, in one place.