Understanding the Threat
A hurricane is a tropical storm with sustained winds of at least 74 mph, bringing dangerous combinations of high winds, rainfall, and storm surge. Peak season is August–September, but storms can form any time between June and November.
Storm Surge
The leading cause of hurricane deaths. Ocean water pushed miles inland can flood ground floors in minutes.
Wind Damage
Strips roofing, shatters windows, and turns outdoor objects into projectiles — even miles from the coast.
Power Outages
Outages of one to three weeks are normal after a major storm. Sump pumps stop, food spoils, AC fails.
Mold
Mold begins within 24–48 hours of water intrusion and can make a home uninhabitable for months.
Protecting Your Home
1. Backup Power
Power outages after hurricanes routinely last one to three weeks. Without power, your sump pump won't run, food spoils, AC fails in summer heat, and anyone dependent on medical equipment faces serious risk. A generator is the single most impactful purchase most homeowners can make for hurricane preparedness.
Portable Generators
A 5,000–7,500 watt portable generator runs your refrigerator, window AC, fans, and phone chargers. Requires manual setup and refueling every 8–12 hours, but costs a fraction of a standby unit. Budget $600–$1,500 for a quality portable.
Standby Generators
A standby generator runs on natural gas or propane, starts automatically when power goes out, and can power your entire house indefinitely. Requires professional installation at $5,000–$15,000, but essential for high-risk areas or medical equipment needs.
Recommended Generators
See full generator guide →Honda EU2200i Inverter Generator
Whisper-quiet and fuel-efficient. The gold standard for portable power — runs 8+ hours on 1 gallon.
Champion 7500W Dual Fuel Generator
Runs on gas or propane. Handles refrigerator, AC, and essential circuits. Electric start included.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro Power Station
No fuel, no fumes — safe indoors. 3,600Wh. Best for apartments or HOA communities.
2. Flood Risk and Insurance
Even homes miles from the coast can flood during a hurricane. Your homeowner's insurance policy does not cover flooding under any circumstances.
Go to msc.fema.gov and enter your address for your official designation and Base Flood Elevation.
NFIP flood insurance has a mandatory 30-day waiting period. Don't wait until a storm forms — it will be too late.
Door dam flood shields at ground-level doors and windows can prevent significant water intrusion during surge.
Your primary sump pump is useless without power. A battery backup activates automatically when power fails.
Flood Protection Products
See full flood guide →Wayne ESP25 Battery Backup Sump Pump
Activates automatically when power fails. Pumps 2,300 gallons/hour.
FLOODGATE Door Flood Barrier
Reusable, deploys in minutes. Holds back up to 18 inches of water.
3. Windows, Doors & Shutters
Once wind breaches your home's envelope, internal pressure builds rapidly and can lift your roof off. The garage door is the most common structural failure point — if yours isn't wind-load rated, a bracing kit ($50–$300) is one of the highest-ROI improvements you can make.
| Option | Protection | Cost (installed) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accordion shutters | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $15–$25/sq ft | Best option, fold away, deploy in seconds |
| Roll-down shutters | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $20–$35/sq ft | Can be motorized, excellent protection |
| Panel shutters | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $8–$15/sq ft | Must be installed manually before each storm |
| Plywood | ⭐⭐ | $1–$3/sq ft | Last resort only — not rated, labor intensive |
4. Yard Preparation
In 100 mph winds, anything not anchored becomes a projectile.
- Bring in all patio furniture, umbrellas, and cushions
- Secure or store grills — heavy units can still move in hurricane winds
- Remove all decorative items, planters, and wind chimes
- Move firewood away from the house or bring inside
- Trim dead branches before the season — not when a storm approaches
- Know which trees are most likely to fall toward your home
5. Emergency Supplies
Having 72 hours of supplies ready means you're not making decisions under pressure when a storm is approaching.
🏠 Shelter in Place
- 1 gal of water per person per day, 2 weeks minimum
- 2 weeks of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered NOAA weather radio
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- 30-day supply of all medications
- Manual can opener
- Cash in small bills
🚗 Evacuation Go-Bag
- Critical documents in waterproof bag
- 3 days of clothing per person
- Phone chargers and power bank
- Medications (30-day supply)
- Cash ($200–$500 minimum)
- Water and snacks for the drive
- Pet food, carriers, records
- N95 masks
Emergency Kit Essentials
See full emergency kit guide →Midland ER310 Emergency Crank Weather Radio
NOAA weather alerts, hand crank + solar. Works when cell networks are down.
Anker 737 Power Bank (24,000mAh)
Charges an iPhone 6+ times. Keep it charged year-round.
72-Hour Pre-Storm Timeline
Free Hurricane Home Prep Checklist
150+ action items organized by timeline — before the season, 72 hours out, day of, and after the storm.