Hurricane Preparedness Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Are you in a high-risk area?

Hurricanes don’t have to make landfall where you live to disrupt your routine - or your life. NOAA’s “hurricane return period” analysis estimates how often a hurricane can be expected to pass within 50 nautical miles of a specific location.

The highest-frequency areas for hurricanes of any category include coastal North Carolina, south Florida and southeast Louisiana, about every five to seven years.

• 32% for the entire U.S. coastline.
• 5% for the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida Peninsula.
• 20% for the Gulf Coast, Florida panhandle to Brownsville, Texas.

Keep your whole home standby generator ready to power on

Before Mother Nature throws her worst your way, it’s best to ensure your generator is ready to power your home - and your comfort.

• Clear debris and any obstructions away from the generator with at least 3 ft. of clearance on each side.
• Ensure the inside of the enclosure is free of debris (leaves, sticks, dirt, etc.).
• Inspect lines and connections for fuel or oil leaks.

• Inspect the entire fuel system for signs of corrosion or other concerns.
• Be sure to check your battery for proper charge and clean terminals, air filter, spark plugs and sediment trap.
• Watch the oil level, especially if your generator is running continuously.

Photograph your possessions

• Start with your most expensive items (both inside and outside the home).
• Show items closeup and in their location with the date and value.
• Include wills, proof of insurance, receipts and other vital documents.

Working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms save lives

• Interconnected CO alarms are best; when one sounds, they all sound.
• Install both on each level and outside separate sleeping areas.
• Test alarms monthly and replace batteries as needed.

Never ignore an alarm. Get outside immediately when it sounds. Then call 911.

Do you have an emergency kit?

Get prepared before the unexpected—use our printable checklist to build a complete emergency kit. Download and keep it handy so you’re ready when it matters most.

Food safety

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food in your refrigerator is safe to eat for only four hours without electricity. Beyond that, they recommend discarding meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers.

However, a full freezer will hold a safe temperature for 48 hours (24 hours if half full). These times are only true if the appliance door remains closed. It’s important to adhere to these guidelines during and after a power outage:

• Keep your refrigerator closed.
• Use a thermometer to check if food is 40 degrees or below before consuming.
• Consider backup options to power your refrigerator, especially during long outages.

Child safety

Help keep children as calm as possible before, during and after a hurricane with a little guidance and reassurance to ease fears and stress.

Constant communication

• Talk about your safety or evacuation plans before a storm arrives. 
• Let them help gather supplies and feel part of the process.
• Keep in constant communication during a storm or hurricane. Talk through what you’re experiencing and share your plans for what happens after the storm.

Child-friendly evacuation kit

• Pack water, snacks and first aid items including bandages and antibiotic ointment.
• Include toys, games and other comfort items that don’t require power.

Living in an apartment or condo?

Consider Portable Power Stations: they produce zero emissions, are safe for indoor use and the GB2000 can power a 120W refrigerator for up to 24 hours*

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Emergency kits should include:

• 7 days food and water (with a can opener, if needed).
• Medication for one week.
• Pet carrier / kennel.
• Extra leash.
• Photo of you and your pet together to prove ownership.
• Pet ID tags, rabies vaccination tag and collar.
• Medical or vaccination records to share with a pet friendly shelter.

Additional tips include:

• Getting your pet microchipped (talk to your vet).
• Placing a rescue alert sticker on your door if you shelter in place letting responders know there’s a pet inside.
• Writing “EVACUATED” on any alert sticker if your choose to leave.
• Slowly reintroducing your pet(s) to a disheveled home if you evacuated to reduce stress and unknown dangers.

If you have an aquarium

To maintain the delicate balance in an aquarium, you must keep your filtration system and heater running 24/7. Whether the outage lasts for a few hour or a few days, here are several things you can do to minimize damage:

• Unplug your filter and rinse it before restarting.
• Maintain stable water temperature by covering the tank with a blanket.
• Make up for lost oxygen with a battery-powered air pump.
• Have a Generac generator to keep the power on.

• Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting.
• Fill bathtubs and large containers with water for sanitation purposes.
• Turn off and properly secure outdoor grill propane tanks.
• Unplug small appliances in the rooms you do not plan to use during a storm.
• Charge cell phones.
• 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.
• Fill gas cans in the event of an evacuation or to run a portable generator.
• Use hurricane shutters or board up windows and doors with 5/8 inch plywood.
• Reinforce garage doors using a door bracing kit.

How long do you have to prepare?

When a watch is issued

This means conditions are favorable to produce potentially dangerous weather in your area within 48 hours or less.

When a warning is issued

Severe conditions have been observed and potentially dangerous weather is imminent in or near your area within 36 hours or less.

Consider leaving

• Prepare to depart if you live in a manufactured or mobile home, or your home was built prior to current hurricane building standards.
• Leave if your home is vulnerable to a storm surge or flooding.
• If an evacuation has been issued, leave immediately.

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.

Never operate a generator indoors

(including a garage) even with windows open. Carbon monoxide gas is odorless, colorless and can be deadly within minutes.

In case of extended power outages

• Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. 
• Only use portable generators outdoors and far away from windows, doors and vents. 
• Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid potential surge damage. 

For whole home generator extended runtime duration and information, check your owner’s manual or contact your local dealer.