Most hurricane damage to families isn't from the wind — it's from being unprepared in the 72 hours before it hits. These guides cover what to do before, what to buy, and what to do after, in plain language.
Every storm moves through three phases — and each one asks something different of you:
Warnings go up. This is the buying window: supplies, fuel, shutters, evacuation plan. The checklist and kit list live here.
Shelter in place, stay off roads, follow the National Hurricane Center — not social media rumors. No shopping phase; just safety.
Document damage, file insurance, apply for FEMA help, find a roofer. The recovery guide walks through it in order.
The 72-hour countdown: what to secure, buy, and decide — in the order that matters.
Gas generators vs battery power stations for outages: costs, safety, and which fits your home.
What goes in the go-bag and the stay-home kit — the 3-day minimum and the 14-day upgrade.
Damage photos, insurance claims, FEMA assistance, roofers — the recovery sequence that protects your payout.
Start when a storm is 3–4 days from possible landfall — that's when watches typically go up. The core kit (water, food, batteries, radio) should exist before hurricane season, not during a warning.
Gas generators run longer and power more (including central AC), but need fuel — which runs out in multi-day outages — and must run outdoors due to carbon monoxide. Battery power stations are silent, indoor-safe, and solar-rechargeable, but cost more per watt-hour. Our comparison guide breaks it down.
FEMA supplements insurance, it doesn't replace it: temporary housing, essential home repairs, and serious needs. File your insurance claim first, then apply at DisasterAssistance.gov. See the recovery guide.