Disasters · US
Hurricane
Know your evacuation zone, understand watches and warnings, and get through the storm and its aftermath.
Before
- Find out if you live in an evacuation zone, and plan your route and an alternate. 1
- Keep at least three days of supplies, including water, food, medicine and pet supplies. 1
- Flood insurance is a separate policy for both owners and renters. 1
- Have plywood, steel or aluminum panels ready for windows and doors. Trim trees and secure outdoor items. 1
During
After
- Never drive through flooded roads. 12 inches of water can float a car. 1
- Generator CO, electric shock and fire are the most common post-storm hazards. Run generators outdoors only, more than 20 feet from openings. 1 2
- Clean up slowly and take breaks. Overexertion causes heart attacks and heat stroke. 1
- Flooding can stay dangerous for weeks, especially downstream of rivers and dams. 1
Watches and warnings
| Alert | What it means | Typical lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Watch | Hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or more) are possible in the area | About 48 hours |
| Hurricane Warning | Hurricane conditions are expected in the area | About 36 hours |
| Tropical Storm Watch | Sustained winds of 39–73 mph are possible | Within 48 hours |
| Tropical Storm Warning | Sustained winds of 39–73 mph are expected | Within 36 hours |
| Storm Surge Watch | Life-threatening surge is possible | Generally within 48 hours |
| Storm Surge Warning | Danger of life-threatening surge. Evacuate if ordered | Generally within 36 hours |
All definitions from NOAA. 1
Run from water, hide from wind
Water has historically been the deadliest part of a hurricane. NOAA reports that from 1963 to 2012, about half of direct deaths from U.S. landfalling storms came from storm surge. 1 If you are in an evacuation zone and told to leave, leave. If you are sheltering in place, use an interior room without windows. 1
The days after
The storm passing isn’t the end of the danger. NOAA lists carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire as the most common hazards from generators, and warns that flooding can remain a major hazard for weeks after landfall. 1 Keep any generator outside and at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents, and run a battery-powered CO alarm indoors. 2