image of a lakefront house during high winds

Residential  Hurricane Preparedness Guide

Hurricane 101

Be prepared. Take action.

Now more than ever, our homes have become our sanctuary. Our safe space. Understanding what extreme natural occurrences we may be up against – and how they impact our potential power supply – is crucial.

We know that a normal hurricane season typically includes 14 storms. The 2023 
hurricane season alone delivered:

  • 20 named storms
  • storms reaching hurricane force
  • 3 hurricanes turning into major hurricanes

Data source: CSU Tropical Meteorology Project Team

2024 hurricane storm predictions graphic

Are you in a high-risk area?

While every mile of the U.S. Gulf and East Coast is vulnerable during hurricane season, some locations are more at risk of being hit in any given year.

The National Hurricane Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses an analysis tool that predicts if a hurricane can be expected to pass within 50 nautical miles of a specific location.

According to their models, the areas with the highest return periods for a hurricane 
within the next 100 years (of any category) are coastal North Carolina, south Florida and southeast Louisiana, about every five to seven years. 

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Entire continental U.S. coastline - 62% (average from 1880–2020 is 43%)

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U.S. East Coast Including Peninsula Florida (south and east of Cedar Key, Florida) - 34% (average from 1880–2020 is 21%)

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Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle (west and north of Cedar Key, Florida) westward to Brownsville - 42% (average from 1880–2020 is 27%)

Data source: CSU Tropical Meteorology Project Team

map of south eastern USA showing the return period for a hurricane.

Before the storm

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 Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting.

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 Fill bathtubs and large containers with water for sanitation purposes.

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  Turn off and properly secure propane tanks.

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 Unplug small appliances in the rooms you do not plan to use during a storm.

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 Charge cell phones.

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 Check the yard and landscaping for any trees that should be trimmed, clear gutters and bring in outside items if they can be picked up by high winds

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 Fill gas cans in the event of an evacuation or to run a portable generator.

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  Use hurricane shutters or board up windows and doors with 5/8 inch plywood.

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 Reinforce garage doors using a door bracing kit.

woman in darkness looking through a lit up fridge

During the storm

Prepare to depart if:

  • You live in a manufactured or mobile home.
  • Your home was built prior to current hurricane building standards.
  • Your home is vulnerable to a storm surge or flooding.
  • An evacuation has been issued.
palm trees blowing fiercely

When evacuating:

  • Know where you’re going. Plan primary and alternative routes ahead of time.
  • Create an evacuation destination with a backup location in mind.
  • Listen to orders at least twice to determine driving directions.
  • Grab your emergency kit in anticipation of long power outages.
  • Bring backup maps/directions in the event mobile services aren’t available.
  • Unplug appliances, turn off water at the main valve and deactivate electricity at the breaker box.
  • Pack your vehicle and go to your designated evacuation spot or backup location.
  • Turn on the radio to stay tuned to emergency bulletins.
  • Stick to evacuation routes.
cars headed out of a city during a storm

When sheltering in place:

  • Cover all windows with permanent storm shutters or 5/8-inch exterior grade marine plywood.
  • Take refuge in a small, interior room or closet in the lowest level of your home. Avoid windows and glass doors.
  • Stay tuned to updates and have a battery-powered emergency radio on hand.
  • Save phone battery as much as possible.
  • Unplug all devices from outlets during outages to reduce power surge damage.
  • If flooding nears the home, turn off all electricity.
  • Evacuate immediately if given the order OR if the home is damaged
house with boarded up windows and doors

After the storm

  • Do not return

    before local authorities recommend.

  • Unplug all major appliances

    If power is out, unplug all major appliances before turning the electricity back on to minimize possible surge damage.

  • Keep receipts

    for possible reimbursement through insurance or government programs.

  • Do not drive on closed roads

    avoid flash-flooding or downed power lines.

  • Save all phone calls for emergencies

    Phone systems are often downed or busy after a disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends

  • Community

    Check on neighbors.

Be the most prepared

Download Generac's Hurricane Preparedness Guide to have access to more safety tips, emergency checklists, and hurricane 101.

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